Making friends?
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Runner
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I don't have any livestock, but neighbors on both sides of me have had horses at one time or another. But the neighbors are complete opposite situations in terms of how they care for the animals.
The property on one side was owned by an "absentee landlord". There was no house on the property and he just rented the place (8 acres) out to people to keep their horses on. Problem is, there was no grass and the property is mostly wooded. To make it worse, the renters kept three horses there and only visited a couple of times per week. Since they didn't own the place, they paid no attention to the fence or what the horses were doing to the property (or my property).
The end result was that they chewed what little grass there was down to the dirt, which caused erosion to the point that their property is now two feet lower than mine, also causing the fence (which is mine) to start collapsing, so I now had to try to fix the situation. This is a 5 wire fence, so the horses were also reaching over/through the fence and chewing my grass down, causing the same erosion on my side. The horses also tore the fence down and I was constantly finding them on my property because it was the only place they could find food. I wound up having to install wire mesh fencing over the 5 wire to keep them out, which of course creates other issues, particularly regarding keeping brush cleared from the fence line. Basically, huge maintenance problem for me, and nobody over there gave a damn.
On the other side, I had a single lady, owned 6 horses, same type of property (trees, no grass) but since she lived there and was responsible, I had very little trouble with the animals because she actually cared for the them, made sure they were properly fed and knew where they were most of the time. Well, almost. One time she let them run free for a couple of days back in the woods, and caused the same erosion problem on that side. But once she figured out what was happening, at least she took steps to stop it. After that, she kept the horses in a corral up by the house and fed them hay.
The point of all this is, I felt completely different about the situation when it was obvious to me that the owner of the livestock gave a damn about the impact to the neighbors versus the one who didn't.
Now, neither of the neighbors have livestock and life is good.
As for the original post, wow, I can't imagine anyone acting like that to someone they've never even met, especially a new neighbor. About all you can do is ignore them, I guess.
The property on one side was owned by an "absentee landlord". There was no house on the property and he just rented the place (8 acres) out to people to keep their horses on. Problem is, there was no grass and the property is mostly wooded. To make it worse, the renters kept three horses there and only visited a couple of times per week. Since they didn't own the place, they paid no attention to the fence or what the horses were doing to the property (or my property).
The end result was that they chewed what little grass there was down to the dirt, which caused erosion to the point that their property is now two feet lower than mine, also causing the fence (which is mine) to start collapsing, so I now had to try to fix the situation. This is a 5 wire fence, so the horses were also reaching over/through the fence and chewing my grass down, causing the same erosion on my side. The horses also tore the fence down and I was constantly finding them on my property because it was the only place they could find food. I wound up having to install wire mesh fencing over the 5 wire to keep them out, which of course creates other issues, particularly regarding keeping brush cleared from the fence line. Basically, huge maintenance problem for me, and nobody over there gave a damn.
On the other side, I had a single lady, owned 6 horses, same type of property (trees, no grass) but since she lived there and was responsible, I had very little trouble with the animals because she actually cared for the them, made sure they were properly fed and knew where they were most of the time. Well, almost. One time she let them run free for a couple of days back in the woods, and caused the same erosion problem on that side. But once she figured out what was happening, at least she took steps to stop it. After that, she kept the horses in a corral up by the house and fed them hay.
The point of all this is, I felt completely different about the situation when it was obvious to me that the owner of the livestock gave a damn about the impact to the neighbors versus the one who didn't.
Now, neither of the neighbors have livestock and life is good.
As for the original post, wow, I can't imagine anyone acting like that to someone they've never even met, especially a new neighbor. About all you can do is ignore them, I guess.
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In.the.Piñons
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OP, your new neighbor sounds rather impolite, but if that's the worst you have to deal with, then I'd say you have it pretty good! 
Alan W.
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Had couple of kooks for neighbors that I had to go to court and have the judge tell them I was right over a property line. To make it worse my grandmother had gave them the land where they originally built. They have since passed and their daughter and her husband live here now. Best people in the world. We get along great.
ruffdog
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I would just make sure the lot line stakes are well marked and easy to see. If both land owners respect the line, life is good. Who knows the issues those people had in the past?OP, your new neighbor sounds rather impolite, but if that's the worst you have to deal with, then I'd say you have it pretty good!
jyoutz
Super Member
Interesting. In my rural area, about 4 of us have keys to each other’s places and know what needs to be done for chores and how the animals are fed. When we go out of town, we call each other and ask who is available to take care of our place and animals. One of the neighbors always comes through.
ruffdog
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These people had their land stolen, then sold to people that are building a house on it. From what I have read, this type of theft is becoming more popular.
In.the.Piñons
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I would just make sure the lot line stakes are well marked and easy to see. If both land owners respect the line, life is good. Who knows the issues those people had in the past?
We had one fence line that was off by about 200 feet (representing 3 acres of our land) and our neighbor was using it to graze their horses, behind a locked gate. Basically, they used the gate, which was on our property, like it was theirs.
After talking with them about it, they said the gate had to be kept closed because they had horses. I naturally wanted access to that part of my land (we had survey pegs to show where the property lines were) but we would give them a year to put up their own gate/fence. I also asked them to take the lock off the gate. They did neither, so after about two years I just took my gate and moved it to a different part of my property.
This neighbor has been out for blood since our first meeting. They've tried everything from trying to bully us into forming a HOA, to vandalizing our fences to theft. They've made false police reports and told lies about us to whomever would listen. All this just because we want to use our own land, rather than just give it to them.
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Torvy
Super Member
We've had the whole spectrum of good and bad neighbors over the years. Fortunately, it all good around here. Some of the women annoy my wife, but it's just minor personality preferences.
In Texas, property is open range by default. Counties can choose closed if they want. Ours is open. For those unaware, open means livestock are not at fault if you hit them on most roads. Also means the neighbor would have to fence livestock out (rather than OP needing to fence them in). Harming those livestock would be akin to rustling.
OP, I would make a few attempts to be neighborly despite the bad manners. They just don't know what they don't know. Bless their hearts. Responding to their rudeness with more rudeness will cement the issue into perpetual stress.
I'd probably talk with the other neighbors and make them feel a part of the neighborhood. Maybe a sweetly worded letter explaining how things work in the country and that y'all are willing to help if they have questions or need anything. If they are out there, maybe have a BBQ or bring them produce or baked goods.
If you make a few good faith efforts and they are still jerks...let them deal with it all themselves.
In Texas, property is open range by default. Counties can choose closed if they want. Ours is open. For those unaware, open means livestock are not at fault if you hit them on most roads. Also means the neighbor would have to fence livestock out (rather than OP needing to fence them in). Harming those livestock would be akin to rustling.
OP, I would make a few attempts to be neighborly despite the bad manners. They just don't know what they don't know. Bless their hearts. Responding to their rudeness with more rudeness will cement the issue into perpetual stress.
I'd probably talk with the other neighbors and make them feel a part of the neighborhood. Maybe a sweetly worded letter explaining how things work in the country and that y'all are willing to help if they have questions or need anything. If they are out there, maybe have a BBQ or bring them produce or baked goods.
If you make a few good faith efforts and they are still jerks...let them deal with it all themselves.
ultrarunner
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Local rancher is having lots of issues with anti cow people cutting fences.
Doesn’t help that a small community of multi million dollar homes built adjoins ranch land.
One morning my brother looks out and sees cattle on his back 40… it really is brother’s back 40 acres.
He called the rancher who was most apologetic and my brother said no problem just wanted you to know.
Rancher said ever since the new homes went up nothing but problems… calls to animal control saying too hot for the cows to be out to weekly fence cuts.
Neighbors sure can transform paradise to hell.
I’ve only had one problem and that is when a couple from San Francisco bought a home on Moms street… the ladies called adult protective services because they were worried about moms safety on her daily walks.
Mom still ran marathons at 75 and still walking several miles each day at 88.
The ladies thought quite irresponsible for an old woman to be out by herself.
Several random visits and the agencies said there is nothing to this but said once a call is made they open a case file…
Doesn’t help that a small community of multi million dollar homes built adjoins ranch land.
One morning my brother looks out and sees cattle on his back 40… it really is brother’s back 40 acres.
He called the rancher who was most apologetic and my brother said no problem just wanted you to know.
Rancher said ever since the new homes went up nothing but problems… calls to animal control saying too hot for the cows to be out to weekly fence cuts.
Neighbors sure can transform paradise to hell.
I’ve only had one problem and that is when a couple from San Francisco bought a home on Moms street… the ladies called adult protective services because they were worried about moms safety on her daily walks.
Mom still ran marathons at 75 and still walking several miles each day at 88.
The ladies thought quite irresponsible for an old woman to be out by herself.
Several random visits and the agencies said there is nothing to this but said once a call is made they open a case file…