What to do? Bizarre and dangerous happenings at our barn.

[Arelle]

I’d move.

Let’s say you do lock them in. You’ve already said these kids are throwing rocks at the horses. You’re on a military base. I’d worry about my horses being unable to get away from a harassing kid. Or poison in the only source of water. Or a million other things that could go wrong. (Granted, the same situations happen in a paddock, or if the horse gets loose, etc.) I’d also think the lock may “challenge” the kids and they’d target that horse, thinking it may have a higher value/meaning/etc.

If not, security guard all the way.

[Linny]

@Sillymoose;5689479

I would love to just ban all visitors. I think it would be possible to block of the drives so that only members could enter but these kids seem to be walking. Most of the property is already fenced but they’ve proven that they can just climb it.

How about electric wire on the top? Put up “No Tresspassing” signs and notices that fences are hot wired.
I agree that cameras could help. Most of the suburban kids that do this stuff don’t want to deal with mom and dad when their faces are shown in living color damaging property or committing assault.

[WoofNWhinny]

Here are a few options for warning notices to post in your barn:

http://www.zazzle.com/smile_youre_being_taped_by_hidden_camera_bumper_sticker-128310696625237616?gl=WoofNWhinny&rf=238969727029590657

http://www.zazzle.com/notice_barn_tack_room_grounds_monitored_bumper_sticker-128944523463550971?gl=WoofNWhinny&rf=238969727029590657

More here:

http://www.zazzle.com/woofnwhinny/gifts?cg=196412404282806340

:yes:

[Grataan]

Saw one somewhere on line that said “Trespassers will be shot. Survivors will be violated”

[Sillymoose]

Thanks for all the replies everyone. You would think a military post would be super secure but actually they’ve recently started allowing basically anyone on the post. As long as you have a valid driver’s license you can get through the checkpoint no problem.

The MP’s have been wonderful in the past. When we’ve had concerns before they had no problem doing walk-throughs throughout the day and night. I haven’t seen them down as much recently but hopefully with these new concerns they’ll be able to help out some more.

I’ve been talking to some of the other boarders about our options. Hopefully with the help of all of these suggestions and some help from the post we can catch these kids or at least deter them.

[Char]

[QUOTE=Grataan;5689782]
Saw one somewhere on line that said “Trespassers will be shot. Survivors will be violated”[/QUOTE]

:lol: THIS! If it were me, I’d have one of these suckers posted every ten feet - the entire perimeter of the property!

I would also be keeping midnight vigil with my rifle and sidearm, as someone else already mentioned.

[Alagirl]

@Sillymoose;5689464

Good idea about a security person. I’ll see what others think. The problem with this place is that it is on a military post. There is no BO or BM, just members who run the place. Luckily the police have been great in the past and seem to be taking this seriously so hopefully that will help. Also the barn is very open and spread out so it’s not possible to block it off completely. Sigh, can’t wait for school to start.

military post?
Have the MPs patrol…
and the police…

[coloredcowhorse]

If the stable is on a military base I would guess that all boarders are military or military dependents, yes? Find the one highest in rank or the one married to or dependent of highest ranking spouse and go to base command. Several years ago (shortly after 9/11) I was working on training the horse of the base commander at NAS Fallon…had to get permission and be met by her to even get to the stable/barn area and then had to check out as I left base (I was raised military so it didn’t bother me at all but it was an indication of security levels). I’d bet if someone fairly high ranked puts in a complaint there will be MP/AP’s all over the place.

[Belg]

@Sillymoose;5689464

Good idea about a security person. I’ll see what others think. The problem with this place is that it is on a military post. .

Ask to and actually Talk to the CO. Most branches have a long & proud tradition with horses. And an open door policy. And a very low tolerance for malicious mischeif. And very pointed emails to their command when there are “antics” that cause injury.

[ESG]

@trubandloki;5689483

It is really hard to climb an electric fence.

And maybe one of these little felons will be tempted to pee on it.

Does anyone have a camper? The boarders can take turns staying there.

And sleep with a shotgun loaded with rock salt to hand, too.

[gottagrey]

If this barn is on a military base, then wouldn’t that be out of the local police’s jurisdiction? and are the kids who are harrassing riders - are they living on the base or coming over to “play”. If it is a base stable, then it is there for the enjoyment and recreation of military personnel and their families, so it would be the military’s obligation to see that such shenanigans are stopped. I’d go up the chain of command to see if they can’t get some patrol cars to swing by a couple of times a day/night as a deterrant. And don’t most bases have some kind of newsletter or something? If so I’d make sure those incidences are included in the newsletter with a stern warning from the base commander…

IF the base doesn’t have anything to do the stable then I’d see if the local police force can patrol the area for you…

I hope the other rider who was injured has a speedy recovery and those kids are caught and prosecuted - perhaps 6 months of mucking out stalls would serve them right.

[CVPeg]

Just thought of motion detector spotlights - believe some now even come operated by battery. Obviously not facing the pasture, but on the fence facing outward - particularly if you can determine the most likely place they’re hopping over.

[cloudyandcallie]

I second or third or forth “move.” I used to board at a barn where BO did not live, coastal GA. Subdivisions by it had people who came into barn and paddocks, fed horses, and set off fireworks. I would come in from working out of town and go to barn at 11pm to check on C&C. I also was worried about someone burning down the barn or turning horses out onto road. The barn further downtown had a lot of break ins and then our barn started having cars broken into in broad daylight. (I made friends who were cops sit out in my tack shed with me at night on holidays.)

I decided that while I loved a busy commercial barn, and my horses loved all the lesson kids who spoiled them, moving to a private barn where the owner was around at least at night, was safer. And then I could actually go home from work and sleep when coming in late from work out of town.

ETA My friend moved to Ft Rucker with her husband when he was transferred there, and the MPs patrol the huge barn there.

[Alagirl]

@gottagrey;5689976

If this barn is on a military base, then wouldn’t that be out of the local police’s jurisdiction? and are the kids who are harrassing riders - are they living on the base or coming over to “play”. If it is a base stable, then it is there for the enjoyment and recreation of military personnel and their families, so it would be the military’s obligation to see that such shenanigans are stopped. I’d go up the chain of command to see if they can’t get some patrol cars to swing by a couple of times a day/night as a deterrant. And don’t most bases have some kind of newsletter or something? If so I’d make sure those incidences are included in the newsletter with a stern warning from the base commander…

IF the base doesn’t have anything to do the stable then I’d see if the local police force can patrol the area for you…

I hope the other rider who was injured has a speedy recovery and those kids are caught and prosecuted - perhaps 6 months of mucking out stalls would serve them right.

Local police usually has jurisdiction on base as well.

maybe it’s time for the barn peeps to pick up mounted shooting and archery!

[purplnurpl]

move.

right now you are paying a pretty penny to be afraid.
If I’m paying for someone to take care of my horse then that had better be how it is…
No one needs to worry that some idiot kids are going to jump out and throw stones.

not cool.

[nashfad]

stuff

I’d post no trespassing signs, use chains and locks, and the game cameras. And I’d probably assault someone if I caught them. Good luck.

[JBCool]

My family lost two horses on the highway when I was 13 b/c someone thought it would be cute to open a gate that wasn’t theirs. I’d be either moving or sitting out at night with a camera and/or the shotgun loaded with rock salt. Inexcusable.

[equinelerium]

WOW!!! I boarded my horses on military bases growing up, and cannot, I repeat CANNOT imagine having the kind of problems you are having! What little a**holes!

I think the whole being on a military base thing makes it much more difficult to take your own security measures, because its federal property, not private property-so hiring security guards and such might not be feasible. Any chance you can get a meeting with the garrison commander, or the head of the MPs?

Unless the post commanders are super responsive and willing to massively up the security, or take other concrete steps to protect your horses, I think you have no choice but move. Which is really sad-its hard enough to be in the military (active duty or family member), so it kinda breaks my heart to see that this benefit is turning so sour for you.

Good luck and keep us posted!

[JeanM]

Wow. Just Wow.

there are motion-sensor floodlights that are solar-powered. Not as bright as hardwired ones, but they’d be an easy option if you can’t switch out some of the existing floods (which, really, is NOT a big deal to do so would be worth doing)

[birdsong]

Are you @ RAFB or where…saw you are in Ga.

I second the camera…+ a sleepover to catch the little mongrels.