"It is a huge problem and seems to be happening in all parts of the country, " said Nick O'Brien of Urlingford horse pound, which takes in stray horses. "We're the first port of call for anyone who has lost a horse, and we're getting about six calls every week. They are always hoping their horse has been impounded, but nine times out of 10, the horse won't be here, and nor will it be seen again."

John Butterly, from Ballyfermot, Dublin, is one such owner.

His two mares were stolen from their field in Prosperous, Co Kildare, seven weeks ago, and despite extensive searching, have not been seen since. "It is really upsetting and frustrating, " he said. "One of our mares was 16 years old and was with us all her life. The children are very upset about it because they have known her all their lives."

The mares were the only ones in their field without foals and were the only two taken. The youngest mare alone was worth 5,000, and Butterly has put up a reward of 1,000 for their safe return. "I've spent a fortune travelling around the country going to horse fairs, hoping they'll turn up, " said Butterly.

"It's a desperate situation."

Despite the introduction of horse passports by the Department of Agriculture in 2002, it is still extremely easy to smuggle a horse out of the country, especially to Britain and France, with which Ireland has freedom-ofmovement agreements.

"The passport system is not properly policed, and stolen horses are getting through the ports without any trouble, " said O'Brien. "We also have a problem with local authorities. They don't do proper security checks, sign the paperwork and then we have to give them a horse that might not be rightfully theirs."

There is big money to be made from selling horses, with an average animal going for anything between 3,000 and 10,000.

"To prevent your horse being stolen, you need to take a number of precautions, " said O'Brien.

"Horses should be microchipped so they can be identified by a simple scan. They should be registered with their local vet and have photos taken of them.

Then, if you don't think you will be selling the horse on, you should probably freeze-brand them. It makes them almost impossible to sell, but it's well worth it for a much-loved horse."