Over the stable door: Be vigilant – thieves are on the prowl

Not to be outsmarted, I did some serious detective work and eventually tracked down one of my racing saddles to an address in Bradford.

Luckily, I had written my postcode in invisible marker on the underside flap, so the suspicious character in possession had to return it (the nearest he'd been to horses was in the bookies, losing money on them).

After swearing he'd bought it at Appleby Fair, along with a pair of boots which turned out to be two left feet, I had great satisfaction in reporting him. Thankfully, he was prosecuted for handling stolen goods.

The police say to look out for any suspicious or unusual behaviour and note vehicle registration numbers and makes.

"If something appears out of the ordinary, it usually is," says Fiona Pearson, the Horse Watch co-ordinator for West Yorkshire Police.

It is the equine community's equivalent of Neighbourhood Watch, set up last year in response to the increasing number of horse-related thefts.

"Most horse owners believe it won't happen to them but it is always worth being vigilant," adds Fiona, who strongly advises freeze-branding as a means of permanently identifying your horse. I have put up CCTV cameras in the yard.

Farmkey specialise in equine theft deterrents. They boast a remarkable 95 per cent recovery rate, thanks to strong links with the RSPCA and the police. They also have a website listing all animals and farm equipment that have been reported missing. It's still in its early stages, but the website has already proved to be a valuable resource for heartbroken victims, reuniting many with their stolen property.

Things are still moving slowly in the horse trade. I have a number of horses for sale at present. Their owners are hoping to find suitable homes now they have completed their racing careers. Those sold as riding horses are quiet and well- behaved, capable of fulfilling that purpose.

The problem is they are too cheap. Clients are worried there must be something amiss. They can't believe someone isn't out to make a profit if they have a sensible, straightforward horse to re-home. Trust among the buying public is understandably non-existent when I listen to some of the horror stories endured elsewhere. Keeping a reputable name is priceless in the horse industry; it is always worth asking around before purchasing.

Guiseley-born jockey Dom Elsworth, 30, finally married his partner, Louise, in Gloucestershire last week. The daughter of trainer Jonjo O'Neill, Louise is a 31-year-old beauty therapist from Penrith. Dom has been sidelined for 12 months, dealing with the after-effects of concussion following a horrific fall.

Once upon a time, Dom and I were in the Pony Club together. He was a mischievous little devil. Things haven't altered. Having pulled many stunts on his friends in the past, Dom was not looking forward to his stag do.

They had ordered a fat-o-gram (a generously proportioned lady stripper) to entertain the groom. To huge disappointment, the fat-o-gram was forced to send a replacement after falling over en route and twisting her ankle. Her understudy turned out to be a gorgeous model, much to the prankster's relief. By all accounts Dom is definitely on the road to recovery.

Crimestoppers tel 0800 555111.