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Post by Louise C on Jan 2, 2007 12:52:52 GMT 1
Only just seen this casper - so sorry.
This is one of the reasons I like having Flynn where he is - surrounded by houses - and although he has to live out it doesn't seem to bother him as long as he's rugged up - it's so much easier to steal them from a stable.
Gutted for you chuck.
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Post by jill on Jan 2, 2007 13:33:25 GMT 1
Bea, don't make any hastly decisions about where you keep the two of them - if you want a bit of breathing space while you decide they are more than welcome at mine for a few weeks. They would have to live out but so far we have a couple of fields that aren't knee deep in mud. The only drawback is you wouldn't get to see them daily, but might be an option while you look around to see what is available? Sorry, that is the only help I can offer, but I do feel for you, it must be so awful not knowing. What do the police say (if anything!!)
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Post by Susan on Jan 2, 2007 13:47:04 GMT 1
I had a chat with Casper last night and what I clarified for her was the alarm I mentioned is not worked via mains electric. It is a self contained units battery operated ( I believe) The item has a long metal cable that can be wound round items and or through items such as gates locks even trailer hitches. if it is pulled apart or cut through even an atempt to cut through a serious alrm sounds. I can verify it is very loud as I managed to trigger it off accidently at my friends yard. I think this is so terrible for Casper as she had experienced such a scary time last year at her previous yards and really felt this was such a lovely place to be. I have been there and it has so much to offer, but sadly the fact that the tack room is directly fed through from Bobby's stable has really worried her rightly so. As I think it would do us all. Caspert said it is because the place is so isolated, perhaps! but even in busy yards there are times when no one is about and we can all be at risk. There are no perfects and I wanted to try and say Casper this could happen any where and honest this is such really bad luck. Look at why I had to leave where I was, Busy yard, owners live in house attached to stables but the place was so insecure and the horses field safety open to much concern. I dont know what else to say to try and make you feel better, only the piece is kit I have suggested and also a big notice up, saying
Due to previous thefts! no equipment ie. rugs tack saddles or bridles is stored in this premises.
It might help and cant do any harm.
Also notice saying irregular visits made even through the night and alarms set to go off silentl !
YOu never know..wat might help..
Special Hug again Casper for all the worry it has given you and your partner..
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Post by Casper on Jan 2, 2007 13:58:38 GMT 1
Thanks everyone. Jill I have PM'd you - through the tears! What a lovely kind generous offer. I could cope with the yard being broken into, obviously I wouldn't like it, but would accept it as an unfortunate downside to thieves being about. BUT it is the fact that the access to the tack room is through the stable where my horse sleeps! It is literally you go in through his door, turn right and there is the tack room door. And now the tack room is empty, should they decide to pay a repeat visit to see if things have been replaced, and find the place empty who knows, they may take their frustration out on my horse... To say I am feeling unnerved by this whole thing is an understatement, it really is.
Fortunately everything was okay this morning, the two bay bookends were toasty warm in their outdoor rugs and had troughed most of the bale of hay I put out last night. They came in exhausted as neither of them had had a lie down in the night and are now ensconsed in their stables probably fast asleep. Will be putting them out again tonight...
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Post by jill on Jan 2, 2007 14:16:02 GMT 1
Maybe you should look for somewhere else, if I remember rightly you said the school is unuseable due to flooding too? But I know that often it's about people rather than the actual practicalities, and it's an atmosphere that makes a yard.
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Post by Casper on Jan 2, 2007 14:22:28 GMT 1
That is the sad part Jill, I have genuinely never been on such a friendly well located yard - the hacking is truly wonderful, you don't have to step foot on a road if you don't want to. And everyone is genuinely friendly and nice. But yes, the school does flood which is a big downside. That in itself wouldn't have made me move but combined with what has happened I think we should move even if only temporarily, then go back once the other two stables are free. And if we go somewhere with a decent school in the meantime then can get some nice work done too...
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Post by Louise C on Jan 2, 2007 14:25:53 GMT 1
Oh casper (((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Know you will do what feels right for your horses - I think you have made the right decision. Just wish I could help.
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Post by rj on Jan 2, 2007 14:34:23 GMT 1
I've just found this one. I am SO sorry about what has happened, especially after your trailer going last time.
Moving yards - no guarantees that anywhere will be completely safe, even with someone living in. Quick thought: Could you put a chain across the inside of doorway, that a thief might just duck under even if they opened the door & didn't shut it again, but would keep Bobby in? Turning the horses out - doubt that they are really too bothered. Mine lie down in the field, as long as there is a space which isn't completely soggy. Otherwise they go to sleep stood up, which is normal, after all! What to do? - can you & others take turns to visit the yard at irregular times during the night? Horsey places are such lovely targets because they are completely deserted for about 12hrs every night. What more can a thief want? So however much you lock stuff up, you are only slowing them down, & they have all the time in the world. Certainly put notices up, make a fuss, & I mean a real fuss to the police. Now that Anna is gone, it seems that Horsewatch has fallen by the wayside there, where once it was thriving. Get it up & running again. Find some names - Inspectors, Chief Inspectors, Superintendants etc & go to see them. Get your local horse-owners organised. I am sure they're all suffering losses too. Go to the press if the police won't respond. All property has to be marked with your postcodes ( I know most of yours is anyway). Then notices saying that all property is marked, there is nothing of value on the premises, you are members of Horsewatch & any thieves will be tortured very slowly if caught......... just a thought. Very angry on your behalf, but don't panic Casper, & I hope you all have a great 2007.
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Post by lilaclomax on Jan 2, 2007 14:51:08 GMT 1
I hate reading stories like this one - I really feel for you Casper xx Our YO has tried to make our yard as safe as possible, the yard is not visable from the road, the back gate is locked and the main entrance is viewed from the house plus she has GSDs that bark whenever they hear anything.. but it is not 100% secure and if someone wanted to break in then they would The yard itself has never been touched but my energiser was stolen from the summer field the first night it was put out along with the battery - I had only written on the unit in marker pen and not scratched my postcode on - but I doubt that even if I had they would have still taken it.. it is a sad fact of this world that these individuals call themselves human beings. I hope you find a solution soon
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Post by Casper on Jan 2, 2007 15:00:17 GMT 1
Thanks rj, thanks Lilaclomax. At the moment I am still in shock about it all, definitely. And of course the dreaded "what if's" have crept in too, hence why I am perhaps sounding a bit paranoid about it all. But I can't move on from the fact that these people entered the stable with Bobby in and anything could have happened. If he was in another stable it would have made me angry but not as scared and vulnerable as I am currently feeling. rj that is a great idea re ensuring Bobby couldn't get out. But worried they might hit him if the don't get away with anything the next time :-(
Have to say that as ever the Horsewatch guy hasn't been in touch - so you are right, it does need a big shake up.
The other reason I think it has been targeted of late is that the YO used to live a hundred yards or so up the road, but since she moved to Newbury in August we have had the trailer stolen and now this. She used to go to the yard at all hours apparently, which of course would have made it more difficult for the tea leaves. So that is another good suggestion. But for now am still going to turn them out at nights, wrapped up etc and let them sleep in comfort in the day. Doubt they would lie down in our fields - they are half water, half mud at the moment unfortunately! Like most of Britain...
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Post by june on Jan 2, 2007 21:49:19 GMT 1
I doubt they'll mind being out at night. They'll sort out the routine pretty quickly. All ours that have been in for a while sleep in the stables at night but the ones that have only been coming in for the last week are still sleeping in the field during the day.
I'd stick with the routine of turning them out at night for a while and take a bit of time to think about what you want to do. If the thieves didn't get much they probably won't be back for a while at least. Is there any way you could get an alarm rigged up that rings people if the stable door is opened?
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Post by circusdancer on Jan 2, 2007 22:13:17 GMT 1
OMG! I really feel for you Casper and fully understand the emotions you are going through. I would feel exactly the same and the thoughts racing through your head are quite justified. Someone in your horse's stable? It's quite enough to think that someone has been snooping around without them actually going into their stable! There is a saving grace here, they were thoughtful enough to lock and clip back the door. That doesn't sound like completely heartless people and I'm not in anyway excusing what they did. I know you're concerned about the possibility of them coming back and not being so thoughtful but I'm just trying to rationalise for you, to ease the worry. You're doing all you can at the moment and they're coming in during the day, for a lie down, so try not to feel too badly about leaving them out during the night. I don't know what the answer is. I'd be sleepless about it too and probably move but as rj said, nowhere is totally safe. Maybe you should work around it until the stables are free. Perhaps they won't come back at all. It was New Year and the perfect opportunity for thieves. I dunno, what a dilemma! Really sorry for you! xxx
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Post by ceiron on Jan 2, 2007 22:30:05 GMT 1
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lucyloo
Olympic Poster
IH Member
Posts: 607
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Post by lucyloo on Jan 2, 2007 22:42:42 GMT 1
Oh poppet I am so very sorry. I know this doesn't help, but I leave my storage shed unlocked, and nothing valuable in it, so at least they don't trash it getting in it. Leaving them out at a night is a good plan. Lucy x
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Post by Casper on Jan 2, 2007 23:26:50 GMT 1
June, thanks for your post. Unfortunately we don't have any electricity so not sure that that kind of alarm would be available? And as the yard is pretty isolated, there isn't really anybody around who would hear an alarm. There are a couple of houses nearby but not right on the doorstep if that makes sense. Our current YO who rents the yard is likely to be relocating her two horses shortly which would give us two stables opposite the tack room instead of them having to enter Bobby's stable to access it. She used to live in one of the cottages nearby and would be at the yard at all hours with her ex husband. Since she has moved away it seems the yard has become a target where it wasn't before... You are right about the two of them adapting to a different routine. They came in warm and fine this morning, but exhausted! As long as they get lots of feed and hay they are pretty chilled about life bless them.
CircusDancer, thanks for your post. The only silver lining in the cloud was the care taken to close the doors, resecure Bobby's door etc. TBH this has caused the biggest puzzlement to us, as the "typical" person we thought may be responsible is possibly unlikely to show such consideration. Who knows? Just glad that there wasn't a different scenario... And that is why I am struggling so much, the "what if's" etc. And finding it hard to picture staying there unless we have different stables, which just isn't possible right now.
Ceiron thanks for that, and for your PM - I really appreciate your help and Lucy thanks very much for your support too xx
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