The British Horse Society is advising horse owners to be vigilant and take the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of their horses and equipment.

The BHS has received many reports over the last few days of stolen horses and people acting suspiciously around them. These incidents usually involve photographs being taken of horses in fields with unknown individuals showing a high level of interest in particular animals. While such activities in isolation may not appear suspicious, the descriptions of the vehicles and of the people involved are remarkably consistent.

Horse owners are advised to ensure their fields and property are secured to make the removal of horses as difficult as possible. Such precautions must be sensible and not put horses at risk in the event of fire. Tack and other equipment should be locked safely away and, where possible, kept at a separate location to the horses.

Horse owners are advised that it is a good idea to vary the times of their visits to their horse and to have an unpredictable routine. Where possible, owners should work together to keep an eye on one another’s horses and it may be useful to ask friendly local residents to join in.

Freeze-marking and microchipping are both excellent deterrents to horse theft although, as microchips are not externally visible, signs should be displayed to advertise that horses are microchipped. Tack and other equipment can also be chipped or marked to prove ownership.

The BHS advises anyone who observes suspicious activity around horses to note down as much detail as possible and report it to the police. Time, date, vehicle registration details and descriptions of any persons involved are particularly helpful.

5th Jun 2008

The search is on for the 2008 BHS Young Instructor of the Year. The competition is open to anyone who is 30 years of age or under on 1 January 2008, who holds a minimum of the BHS Preliminary Teaching Test and is actively involved in the equine industry.

The competition is split into ten regional qualifiers across the country. Each qualifier is used as a training day for selected applicants and allows them the opportunity to question, discuss and debate coaching and teaching skills with a Fellow of the BHS.

Contact the BHS Training Department for further details 01926 707820.

2nd Jun 2008

This year's British Eventing calendar boasts a brand new venue for North Yorkshire with some famous associations. Situated in the stunning parkland of Thornton Watlass Hall, riders will be competing over the hallowed turf of many a "Heartbeat" film set, as the Hall and its parkland is one of the main filming locations for this popular TV series. Aiming to appeal to riders seeking a good galloping track across undulating natural terrain with inviting fences, the event will now also be run over two days instead of the scheduled one, with Intro, Open Intro, Pre Novice and Open Pre Novice classes on both the 2nd and 3rd August. For more information, to discuss sponsorship opportunities, or to volunteer to help at the event email twhorsetrials@yahoo.co.uk or tel: 07801 150948. For entry information, including advice on participating in your first affiliated event and class tickets, visit the British Eventing website at www.britisheventing.com

2nd Jun 2008

This year the Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Centre is to open to the public on eight occasions between May and October rather than staging one major open day during the summer, as in previous years. Each day will be limited to 50 visitors who must book their tickets in advance. The weekend openings are on14 and 15 June, 13 and 14 September, and 18 and 19 October. The visits present the opportunity for the public to see at close quarters the work of the Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Centre staff, including director Jule Robinson and its founder Carrie Humble MBE who will host the tours. The TRC, at Whinney Hill, Halton, near Lancaster, is dedicated to the welfare, rehabilitation and re-homing of thoroughbred racehorses. The gates will open at 10.30am on each day with the chance for visitors to tour the yard, meet the horses and watch demonstrations before a question and answer session at 12.30pm. The event ends at 1pm. Tickets cost £10, including refreshments and must be purchased in advance by calling 01524 812649. No dogs are allowed on the yard, and the events are not suitable for very young children. Further information about the TRC is available at www.thoroughbredrehabilitationcentre.co.uk

2nd Jun 2008

The Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Centre rehabilitates Thoroughbred ex-racehorses with the aim of re-homing them to loan homes for the rest of their lives. Horses that are re-homed free space for more horses to be taken into the centre and helped. The TRC is currently looking for a suitable loan home for Queen of Ayres (aka Queenie). She is a super 15.1hh bay mare, low mileage, no vices or leg injuries, good in traffic and to box, clip and shoe. Queenie hacks alone and is a lively ride. She is 16 years old and for that reason alone is proving difficult to rehome in spite of everything that she has to offer the potential loaner. If you can offer Queenie a home or are interested in finding out about some of the other horses at the centre then the TRC is looking for sympathetic loaners experienced in riding and handling Thoroughbreds who enjoy the breed's temperament and abilities. To apply for the loan scheme please call Nicky MacDonald on 01524 812649.

2nd Jun 2008

Following the viewing trial held at the Wales and West Showground in May, the following pony riders have been selected to join the 2008 John Whitaker International Pony Squad: Jessie Drea from Horsham, W. Sussex, Megan James from Chelmsford, Essex Rachael Connor from Rossendale, Lancs, Emma Stoker from Goole, N. Humberside, Carian Scudamore from Cardigan, Dyfed, Roberta Roe from Lincoln, Lincs, George Whitaker from Huddersfield, W. Yorkshire and Pippa Allen from Stainsby Grange Equestrian Centre, Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland. Pippa won on the second day with Caprice, was fourth with Indian de Here and sixth with Spot the Lady. On the third day she was second with Caprice. Pippa was then selected for The John Whitaker Squad and is 'Prefect' for May, where she has to write a report on the rest of the squad.

2nd Jun 2008