Neighbours horses destroying our fences

Juggler

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Anglesey
For months now, at fairly regular intervals, our horsey neighbours nag or nags have been coming over into my new re-seed, caught them again this morning and this time in with ewes and ram, they just won't do anything about it....
I repaired our fence saturday morning so I could turn the sheep in there and now its flattened again, I noticed there is absolutely nothing in some areas on their side of the boundary, their horses have been coming over into the elevated hedgerow between te properties and basically over time standing on and flattening what was a very good fence, now knackered.

I'm loathed to spend on a new fence because as long as the horses can get close to it they will flatten that as well..these are big bloody things not ponies.

It'd been explained very politely up to now, that it needs sorting, as they were crapping in my silage fields, horse crap in my silage may give my cows listeriosis etc etc, pointed out my ruined fence, pointed out their non-fence, each time told apologetically they will sort it, I've now rn out of patience, what would you guys do?

I'm tempted to just fence their side as well and be done with it.
 

roscoe erf

Member
Livestock Farmer
Sounds like you need an electric wire along the top to keep them back.
For months now, at fairly regular intervals, our horsey neighbours nag or nags have been coming over into my new re-seed, caught them again this morning and this time in with ewes and ram, they just won't do anything about it....
I repaired our fence saturday morning so I could turn the sheep in there and now its flattened again, I noticed there is absolutely nothing in some areas on their side of the boundary, their horses have been coming over into the elevated hedgerow between te properties and basically over time standing on and flattening what was a very good fence, now knackered.

I'm loathed to spend on a new fence because as long as the horses can get close to it they will flatten that as well..these are big bloody things not ponies.

It'd been explained very politely up to now, that it needs sorting, as they were crapping in my silage fields, horse crap in my silage may give my cows listeriosis etc etc, pointed out my ruined fence, pointed out their non-fence, each time told apologetically they will sort it, I've now rn out of patience, what would you guys do?

I'm tempted to just fence their side as well and be done with it.
Shoot them for worrying your sheep
They are required to fence their own animals in and not depend on your fence to keep them in you going to have to get firm with them if you have no stock in the field leave the gates open if they love their pets they will soon do something
 

llamedos

New Member
Next time they are in your field, lead rope on and into your building, feed and water, hand delivered letter along with bill for damage to fence, and B&B for their horses + your time, 7 days to pay, livery rate daily. No Pay, no horse register as stray with police get ref number, end of 7 days off to nearest horse sale.
 

Juggler

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Anglesey
Thanks for the replies, I put a strand of barbed wire along the top of the boundary but its come over it, it must have sustained some injury as it came over 2 sections of barbed wire.
Don't want to go down the legal route but it had crossed my mind to try and get to it next time before they do and put it in a shed, it might just concentrate their mind if they realise it might not be so easy next time as to just bring it back over the fence to their place like they have been doing!
But you're right, being nice and reasonable doesn't seem to be working...
 

Goweresque

Member
Location
North Wilts
I would do the following. Have a polite conversation explaining the law on livestock and the requirement to fence your own in, not other peoples out, and also point out that the next time their horses escaped and damaged your fence and contaminated your silage ground you would be holding them liable, sending a bill for all repairs/costs and enforcing that bill through the Small Claims court. Put all of this in writing as well and hand it over at the same point, so that they have a record. Explain very politely that this can be sorted the easy way by them putting up their own fence, or the hard (and expensive) way if they do nothing.

Then having done the polite bit, play hardball if they don't do the necessary.
 

Jom

Member
Location
Co.Down
Had the same problem with the neighbours cattle, breaking into our crops EVERY week and wanting us to pay for a new fence to keep his cattle in, our crops have NEVER once broke into his ground and made a mess!! Sought advice here in N.Ireland and next time they're in I'm keeping them until all damage is paid for,( they dont have them insured either) can do this as long as they're fed and watered.
 

Blue.

Member
Livestock Farmer
Had the same problem with the neighbours cattle, breaking into our crops EVERY week and wanting us to pay for a new fence to keep his cattle in, our crops have NEVER once broke into his ground and made a mess!! Sought advice here in N.Ireland and next time they're in I'm keeping them until all damage is paid for,( they dont have them insured either) can do this as long as they're fed and watered.

Had the same last year,feckin neighbour rings me telling me his heifers are breaking into my mowing grass and could I put some new posts in:banghead::banghead:,might help if he gave them some grass.
 

Giles1

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Central Scotland
Sounds like you need an electric wire along the top to keep them back.
Yes,horses learn pretty quick,hence they keep visiting,and life's too short to fall out with neighbours,unless you or they plan to move anyway.Besides Sods Law decrees that they will be the ones that spot the ewe having problems lambing,or someone elses dogs are in there chasing your sheep.You could of course rent them a bit of grass at £stupid/week.
 

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