FORT WORTH, Texas, January 23, 2001—The explosive growth in horse numbers and their increased monetary value in Texas and the United States has prompted Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association to appoint a veteran employee to manage on a daily basis the group’s Horse Identification Program (HIP), says Steve Munday, executive vice president.

"TSCRA is pleased to announce that Jody Henderson, formerly director of TSCRA market information in Fort Worth and a veteran peace officer in far West Texas, has accepted the job as HIP manager, effective immediately," Munday said. "Henderson has a lifetime of knowledge and firsthand experience with horses starting with his upbringing on a prominent West Texas ranch. An accomplished cowboy, cowman, rodeo contestant, brand inspector, horse judge and lawman, Henderson brings the necessary skills and background to educate horse owners about the importance of protecting their horses from theft."

Henderson said, "I am excited about this opportunity to contribute to the horse industry, much of which is located on farms and ranches. Horses, cattle and brand inspection have been my life. I look forward to working with individuals and groups to protect their investment and avoid the tragedy of a stolen or slaughtered animal."

TSCRA also has inspectors stationed at the two horse slaughter plants in Texas. Henderson is going to use TSCRA’s Internet-based technology to communicate horse theft information to the inspectors there and to law enforcement agencies nationwide. In addition, he is going to work with the Texas Agricultural Extension Service, horse associations, local groups and individuals in expanding the computerized HIP database in the Fort Worth headquarters.

Henderson says the HIP database includes special forms that record the identifying characteristics of each horse. Included are the type—horse, burro, mule or donkey; sex—mare, stallion or gelding; breed, color, age, weight, height, markings on face and legs; brands, tattoos or electronic identification. Horse owners may also send a quality 3" x 5" color photo of the horse to be digitally scanned into the database for reference.

"Prompt reporting of a missing animal is crucial," says Munday, "to ensure that the descriptive information is in these inspectors’ hands before the thief gets the horse to a market or slaughter plant."

TSCRA plans to conduct several workshops and branding demonstrations initially in Texas and Oklahoma during the coming year. Most of these events are in conjunction with other events sponsored by the Extension Service, local horse groups and registry organizations. Henderson said he is going to be available to freeze brand and photograph horses at centralized locations upon request and for a nominal administrative fee.

Pete G. Gibbs, professor and Extension horse specialist at College Station, Texas, says there are more than one million head of horses, 288,000 horse-owning households and 950,000 horse-industry participants in Texas alone. The total impact on the Texas economy from the horse industry is $11 billion annually, second only to cattle and broilers in cash receipts.

"Horse theft remains a major problem. Clearly, the horse industry and owners have a huge investment and a strong affection for these horses, many of which are companion animals. Whether horses are part of your business, your sole livelihood or a source of pleasure and relaxation, they are a valuable asset that must be protected. TSCRA’s HIP service is much like an ‘insurance policy’ against criminal activity directed at the owner and the horse," Munday said.

Henderson, a special Texas ranger, Oklahoma ranger, certified peace officer and Master Police Officer graduate, will work from his home in Decatur, but will also take messages in the TSCRA headquarters.

Henderson is available for horse clinics, speaking engagements, demonstrations and other equine-related events.

Participation in TSCRA’s HIP service requires a minimum membership in the association. All TSCRA membership benefits, including access to insurance—health, workers’ compensation, animal mortality and liability—are available with the HIP membership.

For more details, call Henderson toll-free at 1 (800) 242-7820, ext. 142 or e-mail him at jhenderson@texascattleraisers.org. Horse enthusiasts may get additional information about HIP and stolen horses by accessing http://www.texascattleraisers.org. 

Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association is a 124-year-old trade organization whose 13,500 members manage approximately 2.7 million head of cattle on 58.9 million acres of range and pasture land, primarily in Texas and Oklahoma.