It is not uncommon for horse owners to put their horses out on permanent loan. There can be many reasons why this is done, for example, the horse might need specialist treatment, or maybe the owner's circumstances have changed.

We always urge owners to take out a loan agreement, but all too often they don't.

Unfortunately, unscrupulous dealers and other "horsey people" are cashing in on this by taking horses on loan and then selling them on.

Worse, too many police officers and front office staff are wrongly advising victims that these are civil matters.

They aren't - Selling a horse that is on loan, is out-and-out theft, maybe even deception.

In many cases horses go to the same dodgy dealers and a little investigation by the local force, would show this pattern and clearly show the intent.

We appeal to all the U.Ks. police forces to treat missing-on-loan complaints seriously instead of taking the easy way out. These are crimes, NOT civil disputes.

If you are a police officer or a member of police support staff and want to discuss the intricacies of these crimes, please email us at investigations@essexhorsewatch.org.uk