Monday, September 27, 2010

Back Again












It's Sunday. I had originally planned to write a different post, but a chain of events changed my plans. Do you love HORSES? I do, but... Let me recap a brief summery of an older post. My husband and I live in an older home which is over 80 years old. With this home, we also have over 4 acres of land. Most the area was farm land and fenced. We do not farm. Many months ago, after denying a neighbor the right to let his 4 HORSES ( we originally thought it was 2), graze on our pasture area we agreed to this request. This benefited us, no more tractor clearing the pasture area and the horses could graze as the neighbor had very little land. well, if you can recall we had to make adjustments with the fence. The 4 HORSES got out and twice, had to be rounded up out of our yard back to the pasture. I, didn't know much about horses. They can be very smart. We once again had company, the Horses thank goodness only 2 vs 4 showed up in our backyard on Friday. I think 2 of the 4 horses must no longer be around or we would have had more than the 2. I came home in the afternoon after doing an errand and there the 2 "cutie pies" were making themselves at home once again in our backyard. They apparently had eaten the majority of the "good grass" in the pasture and eyed the grass in our yard. Lesson one, horses have good eye sight. After allowing "our company" to wine and dine they were escorted back to the pasture. We couldn't determine how they got out. On Saturday, "our company, the 2 Horses", were back, before my husband and I had even eaten breakfast. They could have at least waited until we finished breakfast. At this point, my husband and I put up some boards and wire to stop these critters from visiting. It seems that they as well as loving our grass in the yard they enjoyed eating the pears from our 2 pear trees. My husband wanted to leave the gate open to the pasture so after they dinned on grass and pears they would go back where they belonged. Lesson two, horses don't necessarily do what you think. While the husband was watching TV in bed that evening, YES, I said Evening, I heard a sound. The sound of horse hoofs . , opened the door located by our side porch and guess what. The 2 critters were standing at the porch just looking at this crazy lady. Now our porch is near the front side of our home. Thank goodness it's fenced otherwise the neighbors might have had company. Went and got the hubby out of bed . Getting 2 flashlights, we escorted our friends back again to the pasture. Husband once again,tried to secure the fence. Back to bed. Lesson 3. Horses are smart and greedy. Woke up on Sunday,asked my husband"are the horses in the pasture"? " Don't know". I , went outside and YES, you guessed it, they were back. It decided to rain, but the critters continued to "wine and dine". Back to the fence , again we relooked at the fence and now saw that these critters used their heads to break some wood attached to the gate and then came to visit. Now, we had alot of rain on Sunday, but back to the fence, reworked on the gate. After allowing our company to graze, my husband escorted these critters back to the pasture. It's Sunday evening, and so far I haven't heard any visitors, but there's always the morning. Last lesson, horses poop alot, so watch where you walk. I'll let you know if the critters escape the pasture to visit us. In this post are photos of the pasture that looks like a desert with no greenery. There are several photos of the horses enjoying the yard, as well as photos the fence/gate. Finally photos of the horses behind the gate area, looking like they are in jail. Although, we have been frustrated about this event, I have a soft heart and feel sorry for these animals. Hubby, indicated we might allow these critters off and on rights back to the yard for mealtime. Uncertain, if that is wise. If you don't hear from me, all is well on the homefront. The final lesson of this story, maybe it's not always good to graze horses as they may become your permanent guests.

22 comments:

  1. Oh, gosh, I know you just want to be kind and do what's right, but these horses are causing you a lot of problems and getting out of bed and such. Did you sign a contract with these people, are they paying you? Seems like you should tell them it's their responsibility to keep them out of your yard, or you will no longer give the horses access, citing that this trial is just not going well for you.

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  2. HURRAY! Looks like your blog is going to let me leave comments tonight! I tried and tried the other night and it just wouldn't do it!

    I couldn't see the pics real well of the horses, but from the one, it looked like it might be a bit thin and kind of wormy... sunken withers and a pot belly. That would mean that they are quite hungry and that would be a good reason for them to be "working" at escaping into an area with food.

    You are being quite gracious, and yes, you do have to be sure your hooks or whatever you use to fasten your gate, are very solid. Some horses can be quite the houdini's! One of my son's horses used to be able to escape most anything not heavy pipe with chains that hooked with small hooks she couldn't open.

    I would get a piece of chain with hooks that you could wrap around and hook to itself. We still have two horses here. My 23 yr. old Peruvian Horse that I've had since he was 3, and my son's last horse who is also 23. Mick's had Tuffy for almost 10 years now, and he had to leave him here when he got a new, much better job and they moved him.

    Your story reminded me of the children's story "If you Give a Mouse a Cookie!" :)

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  3. Wow, that really is a problem, Rose.
    I've never been around horses very much, so I can't offer much advice except to talk to your neighbor. All of this is his responsibility, not yours!!

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  4. I'm not an "animal person" at all, but I love taking pictures of horses because they are such good models and majestic in their own way of movement. However, I wouldn't know what to do if they invaded my yard and left piles...actually I do know what to do. We have shovels. but I wouldn't enjoy doing it.

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  5. Hi Rose!

    Well, horses are very smart and stubborn. They have learned where they can get te best good eats...your house! I am thinking it is time to invite the neigbors over for a cup of coffee and discuss the issue.

    I hope you get it all figured out soon. Have a fantastic week!

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  6. I love horses but I've never taken care of one. How can you not share your goods with those beautiful creatures? I know I would have a problem saying no (or nay) but if it's causing you a great deal of inconvenience then I guess you know what you must do. I love Diann@ The Thrifty's idea.

    I could just picture it, there you are with your neighbors having a nice cup of tea and out the window there appears their horses. I think that would be effective!

    good luck, Rose
    Love the photo's.
    thank you for this post. I must admit it did give me a chuckle.

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  7. Wow - I would think, as others have mentioned, that you should contact the owners and have them buy a solar electric fencer and wire to keep the horses contained. They should be responsible, not you. There isn't much grass left for them to eat and they need supplemental hay and grain. And ocmist is right, the one horse is too thin. If they had enough to eat, you would not be able to see their ribs. They may need to be wormed. Pastures need to be rotated too, so maybe they should be moved out of there till next summer. Spring would be too early to pasture them; they could founder through no fault of yours. I've had horses for years, and electric fence is the best way to contain them.

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  8. Rose,
    as in anything, good lessons on horses. I would engage the neighbour's help in securing your grazing area however.
    Isn't poop good fertilizer?

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  9. HI ROSE,
    GREAT STORY, I LOVE HORSES. MY GRANDKIDS ARE TAKING HORSEBACK RIDING LESSONS EVERY SATURDAY. THEY LOVE IT.
    THEY WOULD LOVE TO LIVE WHERE YOU ARE. TAKE CARE, REALLY ENJOYED YOUR POST TODAY. RIZZI

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  10. I hope the owners will be around to check on the fencing - you should not have to do this. I am wondering if the horses have a shelter.
    My sister and niece probably go to the extreme, but their horses graze in the pasture but they also get some feed in the barn where there water supply is. In severe winter weather they are blanketed at night. They live up in the mountains where the night easily dips below freezing. It is very nice of you to help out, but I do hope you are not expected to take care of them.

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  11. Sometimes being a good neighbor cant be a hassle. We allowed the neighbors dog free access to our yard and now it has become a nuicence of them getting into the trash and tearing up my flowers. No matter what we do though, they still manage to get in the yard.

    Good luck with the horses.

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  12. That is so funny. Can't believe they keep coming over to visit with you. I don't even want to think about picking up that poop!

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  13. Invite the neighbors over...don't shovel up any poop...maybe then they would not only get the point, they'd also "feel" your pain!

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  14. BLOGGER seems to be having problems tonight! I posted a comment, then Blogger burped and it went away! Anyway....as I was saying....you are a much better friend than I would be in this instance. I would have called the owner and let HIM have the fun of rounding up his pets and escorting them back home! It always bothers me when people allow their animals to roam and bother other people. My niece absolutely adores horses and has several...too bad she isn't there to help you!

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  15. I do love horses, but probably not ones I have to look after!

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  16. I've always loved horses, even if I've been thrown from a few. But I've never had to deal with careing for them...sheesh...shounds fun. NOT.

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  17. Hi Rose, That's too bad that you all are being so nice --loaning your pasture to the man who owns the horses. Why don't you tell him that he needs to put up a secure fence --so that the horses can't get out???? Seems like it would be his responsibility ...

    Horses are pretty and they are smart. However, I'm sure you don't want them in your yard.. Pretty soon, they'll want to come inside and have dinner with you... ha

    Hope today is a good day.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  18. Wow. That's like the pet problems that we have in my subdivision. They're cute to look at until they mess with your lawn.

    Take care :)

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  19. I would definitely speak with the owners and a hotwire is probably the best and cheapest if there is a way to get electricity to that area. I've known horses to learn to lay down and roll under fencing, too, and others, if the bottom wires are loose, to put their heads under the bottom wire and lift so they can squirm under. Our palomino will do that... :)

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  20. I agree with most. The horses are the owners responsibility. I would let him know they keep escaping. He is liable for any and all damages his horses do when they are out.

    Hugs,
    Angela

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  21. You could have worse guests!

    I tagged you for a meme on my blog!

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  22. Well I wouldn't want to feed them........
    Yes, you need to have a talk with your neighbor!!

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