Advice on "city folk/horse ignorant/PUSHY neighbors".

[S1969]

@crosscreeksh

I HAVE contacted the sheriff’s dept. And was told that shooting was legal in this part of the county. ANY guns…any time of day!! I can’t PROVE which way the bullets are aimed unless they shoot one of our horses! The neighbor bragged about shooting at the cows in the adjacent pasture…not my observation. Another neighbor’s starving cattle were breaking through their fence and accessing our pastures to keep from starving to death. The sheriff was called and got a bit defensive when I pointed out that the neighbors bull tore down 300’ of our interior fence lines and were eating OUR grass!! The pesky neighbor is a pain…but not hurting my horses…at this time.

Well sure, if you have enough property you can shoot at any time. Obviously the limiting factor is safety and distance. If you suspect that they are shooting onto your property, then you need to report them.

Bird shot doesn’t travel that far - so depending on the size of their property (and yours) it would be hard to “accidentally” shoot into your pasture. How big is their property? I have a clay pigeon thrower in my 8 acre field - no way I can even remotely reach the other side of that with a shotgun. But if they don’t have that much property, they may know that they are shooting deliberately onto your property.

Seems like some well-placed cameras are going to be your best bet with regard to the neighbors and the sheriff.

[js]

Since you have big pastures, can you put up a second fence several feet inside your exterior fences so the horses can’t get close to the fence line by the road or properties. A pita and extra cost but worth it, also, electrify the exterior fences to keep neighbor from climbing to get to the horses. Signs on all the fences about no trespass, no feeding horses etc.

[amm2cd]

RE the shooting

I’m in SE Texas, where it is also legal to shoot on your own property and some of my neighbors do so with alarming regularity.
I have one neighbor who used to let friends shoot on her property until a bullet ricochet and pinged off of my house. Even with no “proof” a call to the county sheriff sent an officer over there right quick. The sherriff was even faster (and on a holiday no less) when another neighbors dog chased my horses. Harassing livestock is a Big NoNo in Texas.

For some reason a uniformed officer makes a big impression on people.

For the trespassing neighbor, I second (or third, fourth, fifth) hotwire on the side accessed and game cameras. Make the cameras highly visable and set back onto your property to keep tampering to a minimum.

Another option (at least around here) is to back off maintaining the fenceline and grow a good hearty crop of poison ivy.

[2DogsFarm]

@TheJenners

Of course concealed carry is permitted on personal property. Why wouldn’t it be? I open carry on my own property.

@TheJenners my Bad in composing the sentence. I intended conveying that shooting on your own property is allowed as well as concealed carry in public.

[Bluey]

Why don’t you try to find your area’s TSCRA inspector and talk to him, see what he can tell you about your situation?

http://tscra.org/what-we-do/theft-an…d-your-ranger/

You are moving soon, but for anyone staying in TX that has land and livestock, horses also, they should consider becoming a member and putting those signs up, that act as a deterrent.
Their inspectors work right along with local sheriff and police and FBI on all kinds of situations that involve land and livestock.
They are the ones that keep inspectors at sale barns checking any animals that go thru them, horses included.

They will help you however they can, even if you are not a member, or refer you to someone that can help “educate” your pesky neighbors about messing with other’s livestock and shooting at them.

[IronwoodFarm]

Just curious why the “horse nut” neighbor who lives on 13 acres can’t get a horse or two of her own. Maybe the OP should help her acquire some minis. They won’t take up that much room and they don’t eat much. She can share her horse affection with them.

[2DogsFarm]

@IronwoodFarm

Just curious why the “horse nut” neighbor who lives on 13 acres can’t get a horse or two of her own. Maybe the OP should help her acquire some minis. They won’t take up that much room and they don’t eat much. She can share her horse affection with them.

Agree with Wingnut getting her own horse only if she can be educated as to the reality of owning aside from feeding treats & grooming.
And @IronwoodFarm, unless your tongue is in cheek, a mini might not be the best choice as they are prone to founder if overfed.
And while small, they are still equines & need the same skill level as the larger version to care for properly.

My skewed sense of humor also thinks Shotgun Hubby might find minis akin to arcade game targets :eek:
”‹”‹”‹”‹”‹”‹”‹

[crosscreeksh]

@IronwoodFarm

Just curious why the “horse nut” neighbor who lives on 13 acres can’t get a horse or two of her own. Maybe the OP should help her acquire some minis. They won’t take up that much room and they don’t eat much. She can share her horse affection with them.

THIS is not my goal or business!! I don’t encourage idiots to own equines when the have no shelter, fence or knowledge!!
My issue at this time isn’t about the shooting, but the woman coaxing MY horses over MY fence for the purpose of her getting a horse “fix” by messing with horses she has no business messing with!! That’s what petting zoos, pony rides and riding stables are for!! Thanks for the advice…I’ll be putting up a line of hot wire above our fence line. At least our horses will respect that!!

[TheJenners]

OP, do the hot wire, hang some signs. I had to put up “privately owned horses, do not pet or feed” at my entrance after a woman followed me up my driveway and announced she was there for her grandkids to pet my donkeys. I also got an electric gate. Don’t interact with her further unless she finds a way to defeat your fence. I personally like cameras but that amount of acreage, not sure you will find a system that will work for you that won’t also be too portable (game cameras are nice but if they steal them, they get the SD card inside as well, but cameras that upload to the Cloud or Nest need a wifi connection to do so and then you run into a distance issue). If she defeats your fence, contact your sheriff department and have a deputy issue her a trespass admonishment from your property, and also have a letter from an attorney sent warning her to cease interactions with your animals immediately; the letter shouldn’t cost more than $100 or so, maybe less.

[crosscreeksh]

@TheJenners

OP, do the hot wire, hang some signs. I had to put up “privately owned horses, do not pet or feed” at my entrance after a woman followed me up my driveway and announced she was there for her grandkids to pet my donkeys. I also got an electric gate. Don’t interact with her further unless she finds a way to defeat your fence. I personally like cameras but that amount of acreage, not sure you will find a system that will work for you that won’t also be too portable (game cameras are nice but if they steal them, they get the SD card inside as well, but cameras that upload to the Cloud or Nest need a wifi connection to do so and then you run into a distance issue). If she defeats your fence, contact your sheriff department and have a deputy issue her a trespass admonishment from your property, and also have a letter from an attorney sent warning her to cease interactions with your animals immediately; the letter shouldn’t cost more than $100 or so, maybe less.

Thank you!! She won’t breach our fence!! Professionally installed horse safe fence on t-posts and stabilized with wooden posts!! NO gates on that side of the farm! If she can jump that…with electric on top…I’ll get her a job at a local gym or circus!! I think the electric will stop her…and keep our “previously schooled” horses away. If she was JUST NICE…it wouldn’t be such an issue…I’ve asked nicely MANY times to PLEASE, not to feed our horses!! They are well fed!! By US! I have never had this issue in all the years of horse and horse farm ownership!!

[enjoytheride]

@TheJenners

OP, do the hot wire, hang some signs. I had to put up “privately owned horses, do not pet or feed” at my entrance after a woman followed me up my driveway and announced she was there for her grandkids to pet my donkeys. I also got an electric gate. Don’t interact with her further unless she finds a way to defeat your fence. I personally like cameras but that amount of acreage, not sure you will find a system that will work for you that won’t also be too portable (game cameras are nice but if they steal them, they get the SD card inside as well, but cameras that upload to the Cloud or Nest need a wifi connection to do so and then you run into a distance issue). If she defeats your fence, contact your sheriff department and have a deputy issue her a trespass admonishment from your property, and also have a letter from an attorney sent warning her to cease interactions with your animals immediately; the letter shouldn’t cost more than $100 or so, maybe less.

My SO has game cameras, he gets emailed pictures of whatever moves in front of the camera instantly, from over 3 hours away. The picture is clear enough to serve a warrant, we got a crystal clear photo when we passed one on a 4 wheeler. You of course pay more for the service.

[CanteringCarrot]

@TheJenners

OP, do the hot wire, hang some signs. I had to put up “privately owned horses, do not pet or feed” at my entrance after a woman followed me up my driveway and announced she was there for her grandkids to pet my donkeys. I also got an electric gate. Don’t interact with her further unless she finds a way to defeat your fence. I personally like cameras but that amount of acreage, not sure you will find a system that will work for you that won’t also be too portable (game cameras are nice but if they steal them, they get the SD card inside as well, but cameras that upload to the Cloud or Nest need a wifi connection to do so and then you run into a distance issue). If she defeats your fence, contact your sheriff department and have a deputy issue her a trespass admonishment from your property, and also have a letter from an attorney sent warning her to cease interactions with your animals immediately; the letter shouldn’t cost more than $100 or so, maybe less.

This is good advice.

What I cannot understand for the life of me is why people feel so entitled. Blows my bloody mind! If people want to learn and get involved with animals, I have no qualms. Just be an adult and ask the farm owner if they mind/have time/would like help etc. If they say no, then back off. She has no rights to your animals, yet she will probably get salty after you install a line of hot tape (who cares). I just…this is why I consider becoming a hermit in the middle of nowhere.

And WTF. In what world is shooting at someone else’s cattle ok? My mind is continuously blown by fellow members of the human race.

Best of luck to you OP.
”‹

[Mosey_2003]

The Horses Bite sign is useless regardless because she already KNOWS they don’t bite, she’s been feeding them as she pleases.

I’d make that top wire hot as hell, all the way around. Put signs up as is appropriate.

I’d also, at this point and considering the general jackassery they brag about getting up to, be getting VERY EFFING BELLIGERENT anytime I saw the woman. Things like, “GET OFF MY PROPERTY AND NEVER RETURN.” and “IF I SEE YOU SET TOE ON MY PROPERTY I AM CALLING THE SHERRIFF, EVERY TIME.”

These people seem much worse than simply nosy neighbors.

[chestnutmarebeware]

@Chall

Watch your signage , “horse bites” sets you up badly should someone sue you when bit. So a visit to a lawyer or lawyer friend would be good. Or lawyers on Coth could advise.

Agreed. My lawyer suggested “ALL HORSES BITE” to me when I kept the ponies at home (although it wasn’t in Texas). Then there’s no implication that you know that your particularly horse might be dangerous.

[Where_sMyWhite]

Do find out what is required by your state law with respect to posting property as ‘No Trespassing’ and do that. (Sorry if this has been previously posted.)

If you don’t legally post No Trespassing, she might come out ahead if something happens. I wouldn’t consider just putting up a few signs as legal CYA without checking first.

I’d also concur on talking to your local law enforcement just to let them know about the problem.

[ASB_Stars]

Entitlement is just the nature of the beast these days.

I am pretty sure that my neighbors bought the property just above me with the idea that it was a petting farm but they were going to be next to. Not so much.

I explained to the owner of that property one day as I was out feeding, that the donkey tended to bite. I asked him if he liked his grandsons fingers to be attached to his hand. He said he did. And

I explained to him that for purely liability purposes, only, he needed to not ever let any one on his property try to feed my animals or interact with them, ever again.

To the best of my knowledge they have abided by this idea. However, I’m not here 24 seven so who knows?

[SLW]

@crosscreeksh

This is a spin off on an earlier topic concerning a housing development going in next to a horse farm!!

We have an 18 mo. old, 65 acre, horse farm/facility that we have built…stallions, mares, youngsters and saddle horses. Our closest neighbor is a professional and sort of a “non-existent” neighbor…nice enough, but not involved in neighborly things. The next house beyond the first (13 acres) are “relocated Dallas city dwellers”…the middle aged woman a self admitted “horse nut”! After repeatedly asking her PLEASE, not to feed my 6 geldings “junk food” (lettuce, celery other vegetables, sugar and horse treats and encouraging them to lean over OUR new, horse wire perimeter fence so she can pet and feed them…now she has bought herself a groom kit…and is sneaking out to play with/groom the horses when she thinks we can’t see her. Three times now other people in the area have called me to say they see "some woman hanging over the fence and messing with our horses!! If she was at least pleasant to me I wouldn’t be so annoyed but she won’t even wave or speak to me. My issue is that one of the big geldings gets very aggressive when he is given treats of any kind…if this woman gets bitten in the face our butts will be in trouble!! How can I make her stay away without calling the sheriff’s office? I am not a grumpy person…but I’m getting annoyed that our horses are being coaxed across a 35 acre field by a crazy, rude neighbor…who I am sure will sue us if she gets bitten!! I’m thinking of running a high/HOT electric fence wire down the fence line!! At least the horses won’t cross over that.

Years ago while riding with friends on a cattle pasture one of the gals horse’s hit the one strand of hot wire that separated some grazing areas. The horse went down on his knees and hocks and was stationary for a minute. Totally numbed him. I’d find the most powerful fence charger, the kind that knocks horses to their knees and contains cattle, and run hot wire on top of the fence. Have some game cam’s set up so you can see your noisy neighbor the first time the fleshy underside of her arm hits that wire as she reaches over to mess with your horses.

[Chall]

Sheesh SLW, you don’t want to kill her, or be sued for that. Cattle level >< horse level>< human level strength.

A zing, ouch, and “what the hell was that” is enough of a deterrent.

[crosscreeksh]

I don’t want to kill her…just school her!! If she is dumb enough to reach over an obviously “electric fence”…she will get educated. It is not lethal to humans…and even a dumb horse figures it out after one lesson!!

[BeeHoney]

Electric fence and personally I wouldn’t hesitate to call the police.