Is your tack fully insured and is your tack room secure?

Is your tack fully insured and is your tack room secure?

An increase in tack theft in the UK underlines the importance of having adequate property insurance in place, because it is not only the building itself which is at risk but also everything that is stored there.

For businesses in the equine sector, and indeed anyone who rides, it is important to consider that tack is increasingly of interest to thieves.

This applies to the tack room but also to any property where it is stored – and even when you take tack out on the road to shows.

Minimum security requirements for insurance companies

Having the right security in place to deter thieves is vital, including in the tack room.

Insurance companies generally have minimum security requirements when insuring items such as tack and rugs, and it’s important to comply.

Each insurance company may have different security requirements to provide cover.

These will depend on where you keep the equipment as well as its value. Therefore, please check with your broker or insurance provider to establish what their minimum security requirements are.

What is a minimum security requirement?

This can vary but there are normally three levels of security requirement applied by an insurer.

These range from basic requirements for specific types of locks, to more stringent requirements for high level security such as CCTV or a BT Redcare alarm with level one police response.

Tack is more likely come in the former category but always talk through security with your broker to ensure the insurer is happy with what you have installed on site.

Potential clauses in an insurance policy include:

• A requirement for doors in buildings occupied by you or your business to have a specific standard of lock.
• Any accessible opening such as windows, fanlights, skylights, fire escapes, and roof areas, must be locked securely.
• A requirement for an alarm system depending on the value of the tack

The standard of lock referred to is normally BS3621 or BS3681, a five-lever mortice deadlock or rim lock. But some policies may require higher security, including an alarm system, for instance.

If you feel you cannot comply, this does not necessarily mean you cannot be insured – but open discussion with your broker is vital to find a solution.

The issue of tack theft has been brought into the spotlight by a spate of recent thefts – and not all were on the premises.

Police are on the case. Two men were charged in September for a string of horse tack thefts in Chepstow, Coventry and Chester – including from major show centres. [1]

But Devon & Cornwall Police’s Rural Affairs team warns equipment theft is still a risk,

“Equine-related activity attracts criminals due to the high value of animals, equipment and transport. This has a financial and emotional impact on all concerned and can affect animals and owners long after an incident has taken place.”[2]

There has been a long list of thefts over the last year, right across the UK.

Horse & Hound reported in November 2021 that 14 saddles had been stolen from lorries and lockers at the Keysoe winter Traditional present, including those made by Equipe, Fairfax, Butet, Devoucoux, CWD and Amerigo.

There were further reports of tack theft at Hickstead, whilst in January 2022 there was a spate of incidents at Area UK, during a three-day British Showjumping event.

In this incident, Horse & Hound revealed there were multiple thefts, all from lorries, with goods worth more than £30,000 stolen.

There were further incidents at summer shows in several regions of the country, too.

So, it is important to consider theft wherever your tack is stored, security should be in place.

What items are being stolen most often?

The most popular items for thieves are those which have been left unguarded and can be removed quickly, especially saddles, bridles and rugs.

Where are the danger spots?
Thieves are attracted to shows and events where tack may be left in or alongside lorries, or in temporary stables. They are always looking out for an unlocked tack room. So, always remember to keep all items securely stored, and be especially aware when leaving tack out to dry unattended. But also consider the risk of theft from stable blocks or even from private property.

What happens to stolen tack?
Part of the attraction for thieves is that this kind of equipment is easy to sell, either at auctions or online. Even social media sites, such as Facebook Market, can be used to offload goods.

What can I do to protect my equipment?

Keep all equipment out of sight: Thisis the first simple step. It’s easy during the excitement of a show to leave equipment on show or unattended, but this is exactly what thieves are looking for.  The same applies when storing equipment at home or in stables.

Microchip your tack: Microchipping is good practice can help prevent theft – or make it easier to recover stolen equipment. In the event of theft, auction houses will be able to check who owns the tack against a national database.  A range of asset marking systems and saddle trackers are now available on the market.

Ramp up tack room security by:

• Ensuring the tack room is always locked when unoccupied and has good quality windows, doors and locks.
• Installing metal bars across the windows and sky lights can deter thieves and prevent windows from being broken.
• Installing a burglary alarm and putting up labels warning thieves that the tack room is protected can also be effective. When choosing an alarm, select an installer who is National Security Inspectorate (NSI) or Security Systems and Alarms Inspectorate Board (SSAIB) approved. Some businesses invest in remote signalling if the tack room is left unoccupied for long periods. This means police and key holders can be alerted in the case of an attempted break in.
• Design-in high security when building a tack room. Consider, for instance, building it from brick or concrete. Wooden tack rooms are easy to break into. If possible, install steel doors and ensure hinges and fixings are not accessible from the outside. Ideally, lock the tack room with a mortice lock.

What is the advice from police?
Many police forces are warning about the threat of tack theft, especially in rural areas.

Avon & Somerset Horsewatch, for example, was set up to prevent and reduce equine-related crime in the west country.

It advises that all saddlery should be security marked, even if it simply branded with a postcode using a metal punch or engraving tool. Stirrups can be engraved, too.

However, engraving is not suitable for bits, because the process could leave a horse with a sore mouth.

Other tips include: [3]

• Photographing saddle and tack, especially if it is unusual. Horseboxes and trailers should also be photographed.
• Keeping an up-to-date list of all tack. Include details such as a saddle’s make or identifying number.
• Reporting all crime to the police as soon as possible.
• Parking all vehicles in a well-lit area and using modern security devices to protect them.

Understand all the details of your insurance policy
Talking with your insurance provider or broker is crucial to ensure equipment is fully insured.

Some policies won’t pay out, for instance, if tack is stolen when it has not been securely locked away. So, it’s vital to follow the recommendations and requirements of a policy – including minimum security requirements.

If taking tack to shows is a regular occurrence, and it is stored in horseboxes or lorries, make it clear you need equipment insured when it is off premises.

Also discuss how much the contents of a horsebox or lorry are insured for. Is it enough? Some policies may limit pay outs to as little as £250 unless clients specifically ask for increased cover. Most tack thefts result in far higher losses, so don’t be left under-insured.

Contact Morgan Smelt at [email protected] to discuss your insurance requirements, including Commercial Combined and Horse & Pony products.