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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend February 8, 2006 Jo Sebby, who runs Eaglehorse Foundation in Talent, stands in a room where saddles and other tack used for the nonprofit�s riding program were stolen. Mail Tribune / Jim Craven Burglary is loss for kids Thief takes saddles and tack from nonprofit that teaches kids to ride By BILL KETTLER Mail Tribune The burglar left a muddy footprint when he kicked in the door. Last week someone broke into the little shed where Jo Sebby stores the saddles and other horse tack that she uses to help kids from low-income families learn to ride horses. The thief made off with 10 saddles and as many bridles, a batch of snaffle bits, saddle pads, helmets, and probably some other stuff Sebby hasn’t noticed yet. "Every time I come in here, I discover more stuff that’s missing," she said Tuesday as she tried to inventory the loss. "They cut the lock and broke the door down and grabbed everything," she said. The 43-year-old Talent woman founded the nonprofit Eaglehorse Foundation to help kids learn self-confidence, compassion and responsibility through riding horses and caring for them. Some of her students pay for lessons, but kids from low-income families are eligible for full scholarships. Advertisement Over the years, Sebby collected little-used and donated saddles and tack until she had enough to outfit 20 kids. She said the stolen saddles and tack account for at least half of the gear that she uses during her summer riding programs for children. The foundation’s other saddles and tack were stored in another barn, where Sebby teaches classes during the winter. She said all the stolen saddles have been ridden for some time, "but none of them was in bad shape. They were all still useable." Sebby said she has begun contacting pawn shops and other stores where the thief might try to sell the gear. Many of the saddles and bridles carry Sebby’s initials (JAS) or markings for Eaglehorse Foundation (EH or EHF). She estimated the value of the lost gear could run as high as $3,000. The foundation has insurance, but Sebby said her insurance agent told her that filing a claim for the relatively small value of the loss would probably raise her insurance rates and cost her more in the long run than just collecting a batch of replacement saddles. "It’s just not worth it (to file a claim)," she said. Unfortunately, Eaglehorse doesn’t have any extra spare cash. "It’s a big hit for us," she said. "We don’t have a way to go and replace it all. They stole it from the kids. That’s the upsetting part. It’s the kids who aren’t gonna have the opportunity (to ride) next summer." Sebby said the theft will limit the number of children she’ll be able to serve, and younger kids will suffer most because all of her small children’s saddles were stolen. "It’s upsetting because none of it was anybody’s personal equipment. It’s all stuff we use to benefit kids in the community." On the net: www.eaglehorse.net Reach reporter Bill Kettler at 776-4492, or e-mail Burglary is loss for kids ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Computer Security Discount Hotel Reservations Casinos Canada dvd-r Generic Viagra Myspace Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Student Loans Sudoku Online Advertisement s Advertisement