Horse Boxes and Trailers
- Horse boxes and trailers are also targeted in theft. Trailers are more easily stolen than horse boxes as they are easy with usually less security on them. They are used to steal other horses or to be broken down and used as parts.
- Its best to store horse boxes and trailers away from public eye where possible. and putting things in front of trailers to reduce hitching up the trailer by the thieves. This includes yard machinery
- photographs of your box or trailer is a must, and any distinguishing parks also be noted and photographed
- tracker systems and islolater switches are a valuable asset to reduce theft.
Clean off shiny surfaces now and again so if someone does try and steal the trailer fingerprints can be lifted if someone does have a go!
Securing your box or trailer
1. hitch ball lock
2 wheel clamp
3, take all wheel nuts off
4. post code the roof
5 post code the outside of the trailers ( if you have hoof brands they can do this )
6. fit a tracker to it
7 fit one of those rods in the ground with paddolk so they cant get it out
8 wedge it in behind field machinery
9 if at home park your car in front of it
10 put your postcode on the underside of the floor
11 take wheels off
12 put graphics on it so more obvious
13 paint a sign saying your license plate and if anything else is towing it its stolen
Anti-theft/intruder alarm
You can use anything from a standard car alarm to more sophisticated wireless devices offering greater coverage of the whole vehicle. Once again, check with your insurance provider before purchase and installation as certain alarms might result in lower insurance premiums.
Tracking device
A tracking device or ‘tracker’ will emit a signal that can be picked up by the police, with the more sophisticated systems being traced by satellite, making it much more likely that your vehicle can be located and recovered successfully.
Isolator Switch
These are becoming commonplace on horseboxes, not just as anti-theft devices, but also for preserving battery life and power. Via a simple key type mechanism, an isolator effectively disconnects the battery from all power sapping devices after use, e.g. the tachograph. Removal of this key then prevents the thief from connecting the power and starting the vehicle.
Secure parking
At an event or when at home, it is important that you park your vehicle as securely as possible. The following all prove useful deterrents:
2 wheel clamp
3, take all wheel nuts off
4. post code the roof
5 post code the outside of the trailers ( if you have hoof brands they can do this )
6. fit a tracker to it
7 fit one of those rods in the ground with paddolk so they cant get it out
8 wedge it in behind field machinery
9 if at home park your car in front of it
10 put your postcode on the underside of the floor
11 take wheels off
12 put graphics on it so more obvious
13 paint a sign saying your license plate and if anything else is towing it its stolen
- Make your vehicle easily recognisable, this increases the chances of somebody spotting and remembering your vehicle. Vinyl letters on the roof or writing on the side of the vehicle can both prove effective. Note: logos and branding on the side of a horsebox can suggest that your vehicle is used commercially (i.e. sponsorship or similar), which could expose you to EU Driver legislation, so think carefully about what you place on the vehicle.
Anti-theft/intruder alarm
You can use anything from a standard car alarm to more sophisticated wireless devices offering greater coverage of the whole vehicle. Once again, check with your insurance provider before purchase and installation as certain alarms might result in lower insurance premiums.
Tracking device
A tracking device or ‘tracker’ will emit a signal that can be picked up by the police, with the more sophisticated systems being traced by satellite, making it much more likely that your vehicle can be located and recovered successfully.
Isolator Switch
These are becoming commonplace on horseboxes, not just as anti-theft devices, but also for preserving battery life and power. Via a simple key type mechanism, an isolator effectively disconnects the battery from all power sapping devices after use, e.g. the tachograph. Removal of this key then prevents the thief from connecting the power and starting the vehicle.
Secure parking
At an event or when at home, it is important that you park your vehicle as securely as possible. The following all prove useful deterrents:
- Locking your vehicle
- Security lights
- T-posts
- Alarms
- Security cameras
- Securely fastened gates
- Barricade the trailers in with horse boxes or trucks
- keep them out of sight from the main entrance to your yard.
- Take the hitch off
TRAILERS/Lorries/Field Equipment
Postcode the roof and get metalwork marked with a postcode.
Make sure wheel clamps are of good quality and have a high security rating, a few more pounds spent here could make a difference. - Fit clamps to the back wheels to prevent any towing if they can’t get it off.
Fit a hitch lock to trailers as an added deterrent if they don’t already have one.
Consider using an old mobile together with a company that provides mobile tracking, so your vehicle can be recovered if taken, or there are tracking devices.
There are also other types of marking that you can use like the microdots, tiny chips that you can scatter all over the vehicle. Mark the vehicle on the outside to let would be thieves know if you do this!
Don’t forget your yard trailer and equipment as well if you need it for hay etc paint on the postcode!
You can also use locking parking type barriers to block a trailer being moved or chain the axle of the trailer to a well secured post.
Take pictures of the vehicle
Make a note of all serial numbers and keep it to hand.
Postcode the roof and get metalwork marked with a postcode.
Make sure wheel clamps are of good quality and have a high security rating, a few more pounds spent here could make a difference. - Fit clamps to the back wheels to prevent any towing if they can’t get it off.
Fit a hitch lock to trailers as an added deterrent if they don’t already have one.
Consider using an old mobile together with a company that provides mobile tracking, so your vehicle can be recovered if taken, or there are tracking devices.
There are also other types of marking that you can use like the microdots, tiny chips that you can scatter all over the vehicle. Mark the vehicle on the outside to let would be thieves know if you do this!
Don’t forget your yard trailer and equipment as well if you need it for hay etc paint on the postcode!
You can also use locking parking type barriers to block a trailer being moved or chain the axle of the trailer to a well secured post.
Take pictures of the vehicle
Make a note of all serial numbers and keep it to hand.