Please be aware in Sussex

[Lorraine L]

Of thieves. We went to let out the horses this morning after putting them in at 8pm last night to find that my sisters mare has a plait.

I know there has been a great deal of discussion about this recently but it is a deliberate plait. None of the other horses in the block were touched although they all were seemingly nervy.

We have reported this to the police and put as much security as we can in place. I have to say that the police were already well informed to this type of susipicious event and very helpful.

A good time to reassess your security. x

[sophielouise]

Thanks for the heads up Lorraine, it is certainly a worry so close to home.

I hope they all stay safe x

[daniwithchester]

Thanks for this - scary stuff :-(

[Deleted]

ditto, thanks for the warning, horrid to think it's so close to home x

[portiabuzz]

oh dear...hope they all stay safe xx

[Lorraine L]

Just a little update.
We were visited by the police this afternoon and details taken.
It appears that a man ( 30's) in a black leather jacket was seen running out of the lane at 12.30am - apparantly a similar man had been seen on Xmas Eve in the lane but in a car. ?

I have had further details of another owner finding a stabled horse 'plaited ' on the night of Xmas Eve / Day in Ashington. Its about 8 miles up the road.
The matter has been taken seriously because this is not to be confused by plaits which may appear from natural causes with a field 24/7 horse. These incidents were done whilst the horses were stabled.
If nothing else, it really does make you look closely at your security and how lacking you can be ! x

[kafee]

Have you a photo of the plait? Could it be a practical joke?

[mandal]

It seems odd that they bothered to plait the mane in the stable at night, don't mean to scare you Lorraine but wonder why didn't they just take the mare there and then?
Mta... It does sound like someone has been messing with them though.

I'm praying the mare stays safe and sound at home where she belongs! (((hugs))) for you and your sister.

[Lorraine L]

Kafee, i do have a photo which i took yesterday but the photo has corrupted my mobile phone for some reason ?!?!? Weird. I am trying to work out how to get it right and download it for you to see.

Mandal, i understand exactly what you say because we have tried to reason with every angle of what may or may not have happened.
The plait was definatly put there by someone. It had a tie to start with ( twice wrapped around and then down into a two tier plait / then another tie / then two plait and a bottom tie. Believe me it took ages to get it out and then we had to wet the mane to try to get the twists out. If someone has seen her out in the field previously then they have watched the yard / field etc.. ( which is worrying enough knowing that you have been watched )
If the lad running out of the lane did come to ' take her ' then we didn't come with transport ?
Do they put a plait as a mark to someone else coming with transport ? I honestly don't know. We will however, know for certain, if someone comes back to the stable block in the night. Flossie is out of the way, but my boys are still in, so the house will be warned of someone down there. We said today, that in a funny way, we would rather be alerted to someone being there, just to satisfy ourselves and they did return and couldn't find her.

The other thing which makes you wonder about a plait marker, is how long before any owner brushed it out ? Surely, if you found your horse with a plait, and without knowing what it might mean, you would just brush it out and neaten them back up Therefore, what would be the point of marking her ? The more you think about it, the more mindblogging it gets.
I have a challenge to anyone interested:
Have your horse in a natural state: EG. Unbrushed mane since, say the day before. Without using any coombs or brushes, try to replicate this plait in, what shall we say ? 30 seconds ?
Then take a photo and let us see how it looks ? I am trying to replicate hers tomorrow in a short time period - in other words, rushed. It doesn't start until about 1/3 from the top. It has a double tie to start with, then two tier plait, another double tie, then plait again, then tie.
Give it a go for me. x

[Ann NF]

Could it be that he is marking out mares, not to steal, but to do "unspeakable things" with? Whatever the reason, it is very worrying.

[Lorraine L]

Its possible Ann, and we have tried to think through everything. I have to say that the place is doubly secure now and if nothing else, its made us very aware of security problems but i am pleased that the stable block is alarmed now to anyone being down there.
( Funny, i forgot that it was still on this morning when i arrived. I walked past the first stable and was confronted by Julies' neighbour ( in dressing gown ) holding their end of the alarm in one hand and phone in the other .. bless 'em !

[portiabuzz]

stay safe...xxx

[Louise C]

It does sound very suspicious with this plaiting - I can't see the point in it either for the reasons above - but worrying to have happen to you all the same. Would be difficult to do Flynn's mane at the moment - he's unrugged and living out and ungroomed as well so very muddy and some tangles in his mane anyway from natural causes! Hope you find out one way or the other whats happening Lorraine - take care - and at least you know your system works!

[chrissiew]

Thanks for this Lorraine, - we are not far from you or Ashington!!

I heard of a few other cases back in October I think it was, in Angmering, but it was word of mouth, although I believe to be true.

Very scary and we will be doubly careful with ours - although luckily people living on site and CCTV, but you just never know.