NetPosse Reports Recent Heat Wave Doesn't Affect Horse Theft
Equestrian News Release

Shelby, NC – August 2, 2006 – The recent heat wave hasn't affected horse theft – it’s just as hot as ever. From Canada to West Virginia, thieves are bold and daring. Unsuspecting owners may believe that their horses are safe and protected, but thieves have caught them unaware.

On July 16, the Thornes of Hardy County, W.Va., were stunned to find their bay Arabian mare, MA Legacy of Gold (Legs), missing from the pasture, leaving behind a 7-week-old foal. All three of the pasture gates were locked, and it soon became apparent that someone had easily lifted the gates off the hinges and taken Legs.

According to the investigating officer, there is a report of other horses being stolen about 40 miles from the Thornes in the same county, leading residents with the news that not just a heat advisory is in effect for the horse owners in and around Hardy County, W.Va.

Traveling due north into Ontario, Canada, the weather may be cooler but it is obvious that missing horses are still a plight. Two weeks after Legs disappearance, another bay mare owned by Kyle Eccleston of Newmarket, Ontario vanished from her locked stall. Manure and hoofprints were found on a seldom used, private road near the farm, and a suspect has been reported that is an acquaintance of the owners.

While there is no evidence to suggest these thefts are related or even similar other than the missing horses are both bay mares, the fact is, these cases are not unlike hundreds of others reported across throughout the U.S. and Canada every day.

Thousands of horses are missing or stolen each year, and Stolen Horse International, Inc. (SHI) is working hard to help victims recover their horses successfully. NetPosse, SHI’s Internet volunteer network, and Debi Metcalfe, founder and president, offer owners of lost horses and victims of theft hope and support.

SHI needs your help spreading the word about Legs and Jinx so these mares can come home to their rightful owners, and Legs’ young foal. Please visit their webpages under stolen horses for contact information, pictures, flyers, and more at http://www.netposse.com.

Unfortunately, these are not the only horses listed on SHI’s website … how many others are there? Help us bring these horses home! As Debi is fond of saying, “Never underestimate the power of one!” It only takes one person to forward an email, post a flyer or make a phone call.

Angela Kirby – Stolen Horse International Public Relations

For more information on Stolen Horse International and its programs, visit the website at http://www.netposse.com.

Stolen Horse International is a Section 501(c)(3) organization under the Internal Revenue Code.

Contributions to it are tax-deductible as charitable contributions