Is Your Barn Secure?

Posted by Laura Thompson Nov 18, 2008

My husband and I were running errands yesterday, and to make a long story short, his debit card was stolen. By the time we realized it was gone, the thieves had used it to purchase $64.94 worth of movies at Blockbuster and a $7.77 meal at Quizno's.

Furious, I immediately called the Blockbuster and Quizno's stores where the card had been used, and demanded to know their policies for asking for identification. Blockbuster said they required all customers to show identification for purchases over $50 (though obviously they didn't in this case), while Quizno's informed me that it would "take too long" to ask for identification for every purchase, so they don't.

We will eventually get all of this straightened out. Our debit card was canceled and we've disputed the fraudulent charges, and the perpetrators used their own Blockbuster card with our debit card, so they will find themselves in silver handcuffs soon enough. This episode got me thinking, however, about security in general. For example, is your barn secure?

Most of us are pretty relaxed about where we keep our horses and riding equipment at the barn. Horse theft certainly is an issue--particularly in the south--but I worry more about my expensive saddles, bridles, bits and other equipment. How do I know that someone won't sneak into the tack room late at night and grab a few of my things to sell on eBay?

Some barns offer heightened security for their customers, such as padlocked tack lockers and security gates to the parking lot. Others have unlocked tack rooms where anyone can gain access, and still more encourage customers to keep their equipment in tack boxes in front of their stalls. Using a key or padlock certainly takes more time when you're in a hurry to get out on the trail, so why bother?

The reality is that theft occurs everywhere. If you aren't concerned about barn security, I suggest you start thinking carefully about it. How easy would it be for someone to take your saddles or your horse? How many people come and go from your barn on a daily basis?

If you think barn security could be improved at the stable where you keep your horses, discuss possible options with the barn owner. Make suggestions for improvements, and express concern that your horses and equipment aren't safe. If the barn owner doesn't take your concerns seriously, it might be time to find a new barn.