Just a note to explain why the encroachment of development forces horsemen to leave the area…
First farm experiences:
The new residents will take “short cuts” by walking through your land. Doing this can damage your fences, which you are relying on to contain your horses. There is also danger to these trespassers, who are often not horse people, as your horses rush over to say “Hi” to them. We had TB yearling colts in the field. Very friendly, and well handled, but always looking for a game, and not suitable as petting zoo animals for city people. Even though these trespassers are uninvited, YOU get held responsible if they get hurt on your property.
We had pot plants cultivated on our pasture land, by new residents. Almost legal now of course, but not appreciated at the time.
New residents think that the farm next door is a petting zoo, and bring their children to visit the horses. Which is fine if they ask first, and are supervised, but this is not always the case. They drop by when it is a suitable time for them, and bring treats for the horses. They don’t understand that there might be a problem with this scenario.
New residents dumped lawn clippings over our fences, into our pasture where horses were living. They liked having the horses come by to eat these lawn clippings. We didn’t appreciate this, but asking people not to do this was not understood. We were the bad guys.
New residents had teenagers, who were looking for places to “party” during evening hours. Our barn was the place they selected. The used condoms and other “Party ware” were not our concern, but the cigarette butts in our hay storage area were. The barn could not be adequately secured. It had been built long before “development” occurred, too close to the property line. Close and lock the gates? They just climb over.
The joke was… when it became apparent that we were leaving, some of the new residents were disappointed. Their real estate agent had told them that “the farm next door is guaranteed to be there for at least the next five years.” That was integral in their decision to buy their new houses.
Second farm experiences:
As population in the area increases, gang violence and activity also escalates. With a property larger than a subdivision lot, you can not monitor or protect your land and your horses adequately from threats. We had a grow op next door, with protection dogs that came over to our farm, and did threaten to attack us, and our livestock. Nothing quite like having some 150 lb pit bull X mastiff dogs salivating over your new born foals, looking to break through their inadequate containment. Stolen vehicles abandoned next to our barn. Burglaries, we avoided with simple good luck, but are often a problem too.
Eventually, you evacuate, taking your horses and your family with you, and find someplace better. You can’t fight it, and it is not the “developer’s fault”. It is the way of the world.
That is now how I read Ryansgirl’s post.
Hopefully.