Fence & Neighbor's Stallion

[drssg]

Brian,

I've never known anyone to install two fence lines, and I'm not sure I get it. If the stud will break through one fence line, wouldn't he break through two? I agree with putting a strand of electric wire or tape on top of a good fence. That's what we use with our stud, and he learned to respect the fence line very quickly.

It's obviously your neighbor's responsibility to contain his livestock, but I'm not familiar with enforcement options available or whether "authorities" would think he's doing anything wrong. He has a good fence, and it seems like a judgement call as to whether it is adequate hold the stud.

As a precaution, perhaps a strand of electric wire on the OUTSIDE of your fence would help mitigate the risk? I've seen insulators that stick out about six inches, and this might be enough to prevent him from challenging your fence line. This would be inexpensive, and you wouldn't loose use of your land.

Just a thought,
Rick

 

[Jimbrown]

I agree. I would put elecric along the top of the fence. I would use something like this Electric Fence Supplies: Energizer, Polytape, Insulator, Grounding & Fence Builder Wizard
maybe even on both sides of the fence. I find the poly rope is much stronger than anything else and has far less maintenance than wire or or tape.

 

[N80]

I'd send the registered letter, possibly with reference to the law that was cited above. And then I'd put the electric top wire up. I don't think the solar powered ones are terribly expensive and will serve as insurance for your horses too. This way, you've notified the neighbor in a documented but not overly hostile fashion _and_ you've demonstrated that you are the bigger and better person by protecting yourself. Then, if things fall apart, it is all on them.

I've got two horses, a gelding and a mare, but I don't know anything about them (wife and daughter take care of them). But, on a ranch near my property, when the calves are separated from the cows at weening time, it doesn't make much difference what you put up, at some point a cow or a calf goes through it, from barbed wire, to electric to corall panels. I don't know if a stallion is like that or not.

 

[czechsonofagun]

Our neighbour before getting cows upgraded his old fence to T posts and stretch fence -but one of his dogs was always sneaking under. We kind of lived with it till we got our big white Houdini - great pyneneese. She loves to roam and she will do anything to take a littel walk. She is able to position herself flat to go through a horse gate and for her I run a line of narbed wire on the bottom of T posts to keep her in. It works somewhat - she still can dig under if she sets her mind to it.

Hmm, what I am trying to say - cover your bases, but try to work it out with the neighbour. Nobody will risk law suits or what not b/c of an old fence.

 

[Cottonhawk]

I'd send a registered letter to the neighbor stating the situation and concerns and offer to work with him to resolve the problems. Most people I know are reasonable and do not want to fight or get nasty about these type of things.

 

[rox]

I would just do nothing. I would not spend my money to protect myself against my neighbors animals, they are supposed to keep their animals on their property. You have talked to them and they have decided to do nothing. IF anything in the future happens it will be on them. My grandma had a saying for ties like these, "Don't borrow trouble" just let it go. The only ither thing you could do would be to have a casual conversation in the presence of un-biased witnesses. It is worth it to get along with your neighbors, really really worth it. But I wouldn't spend any money on it.

 

[n8wrl]

Well, a letter may be in order. We hardly see the them in the yard and they've disconnected the phone number we have for them.

 

[Jimbrown]

Well i have to agree with ROX. A letter I don't care how well written will probably not be well recieved. And probably will cause much anger. It would to me even if I was wrong. Just bite it, put up some electric fence. And then disapliene (sp) their horse. If you catch it on the fence do not hesitate to whack it hard with a whip or stick or 2X4 if necessary. It will soon learn to stay away from the fence. Hard but appears to be necessary in your case.