12/24/2025
As many of you know, we have recovered 2 of the 4 horses recently stolen from Osteen, and arrested one suspect. Our Volusia Sheriff's Office investigation is still active and ongoing, so please keep the tips coming in if you have information.
In the meantime, I want to share some tips on protecting your animals, as I know this case has raised concerns and worry in the horse community.
These tips come from Lori Tankel of Volusia County, author of "Common Sense Horse Keeping," who has dealt with suspicious activity and attempted theft on her own horse farm in the past:
· Install motion sensor lights and motion-activated surveillance cameras.
· Post signs warning not only of cameras but of dogs. Thieves tend to pass over places with warning signs.
· Alarm pads should not be in a location where a thief can see if it is on. And if you have alarms, use them!
· Thieves don’t like noise. Geese, livestock guardian dogs, and donkeys are deterrents.
· Replace wire fencing, which can be cut, with board fencing, especially on the back side of the property and those with easy access to roads.
· Patrol pastures daily. Look for fresh tire marks, cut wires, trampled bushes, and other signs that someone was scoping your property.
· Plant thorny shrubs along your fence line.
· Get to know your neighbors! Look out for one another. Tell them that if they see anyone leading your horse or attempting to load it, do not assume it is all right. It is ok to be nosey!
· Vary your routine. Thieves like orchestrated schedules. If you leave, consider timers that turn on lights and the TV at different times. And if you are gone for an extended time, ensure your mail and newspaper are collected. Is it snowing? Ask your neighbor to make fresh tire tracks in your driveway.
· Many thieves canvas farms by posing as potential boarders, students, looking for employment, etc. Consider asking for ID and taking a photo of their license plate. Be wary of anyone who shows up unannounced, especially anyone looking for sale horses.
· Use common sense regarding social media. Don’t announce you are going out of town. Don’t reveal the location of your horse. Remove your address from websites.
· Report any suspicious vehicles. Confront anyone taking photographs of your horses or property. Get tag numbers. Many victims reported seeing suspicious cars hanging around their property. If confronted, they always had flimsy excuses, such as looking for an address to deliver a package. Take photos of the car, tag, and the persons themselves. Make a report to the police.
If your horse is missing, whether or not you think it has been stolen or perhaps just gotten loose and wandered off, contact the police immediately. Next, contact Stolen Horse International (Netposse). The faster the word is put out, the greater the chance of recovering your horse.
Don’t be afraid to report anything suspicious to the police. One must be vigilant in keeping their horses safe!
Feel free to share more tips with each other here because we are stronger and safer when we all work together!
