How would you feel about people shooting in your horses paddock?

Question

My horses are on a 40 acre agistment property. One of the neighbors comes out onto the property ans shoots clay targets with his friends. They drive around in 4WD's and motorcycles. They have also left gates open and allowed horses to escape. I do not like the shooting. Other than the risk of hitting a horse (as they often don't know where the horses are) they might also make the horses take fright and injure themselves. And yes, I have now locked all the gates, even though I don't own the property, as the owner is overseas.

Answer 1

Id be reporting them.  If its your land and they are on it they shouldnt be. Call the authorities. I sure as heck wouldnt be having anyone SHOOTING anything on my property let alone in a pasture where my horses were.  And when I were to see gates left open, that would have been the end of it.  Put up NO TRESPASSING signs and TRESPASSERS WILL BE PROSECUTED signs.  If they still persist, call the police and let them handle it.  If its not your land to tell them to get off of, move your horses ASAP.  Its definatley not a safe atmosphere for them to be in.

Good Luck :)

Answer 2

I would move my horse asap.

Answer 3

I wouldn't like it either.  I would contant the owner & explain the situation.  I'm sure he'd agree with you.  He may let you put up no trespassing signs.  

Answer 4

Where my horse was before i sold him (and where i currently work) the owners are both avid firearm sportsmen. They shoot on the property and we have never had a horse injured. Also i think it was Katy that made a remark about something being illegal. As long as they have permission to be on the property shooting would not be illegal. Also, I don;t see how it can be so bad to shoot near horses... best example would be the mounted police!

Answer 5

I can tell you that I wouldn't like it AT ALL!!!  I cannot imagine someone giving you permission to keep your horses there and then giving someone else permission to target practice out there!!!  I have to imagine then, that they are trespassing.  You did the right thing by locking the gates.  One of your horses could hurt themselves or get shot.  I don't imagine that these cretins bother to pick up their broken targets when they are done either, which could injure a horses hoof.  

I don't know what agistment property means?  do you pay rent?  If so you have a legal leg to stand on in the owner's absence.

Answer 6

1.i would curse them out.2. u need to call the cops.if they dont do anything move your horses to another facility.im surprised uve let this go on and there still there.get them out of there now!

Answer 7

I'd call the police.  Horses are expensive animals and they have the potential risk of shooting one of the horses.  It's even worst that they left the gate open and the horses got out.  Tell the owner and the police ASAP!  NOW!!!

Answer 8

UM they would be DEAD< and I would have no more worries.  Call the police and file a report, doesn't matter if it's ur property, call animal control and file a complaint just in case something happens to one of the horses there is a report and they could get animal curetly charges, and if a horse gets out and someone hits it, hopfully it'll make you less responsible in court!    You need to take action so IF a problem comes up it's documented.

Answer 9

Well personally, I think exposing your horse to new things is good for them.  If the horses are freaking out or are really in danger of getting shot, then those people should not be doing that.  But if the horses are safe, they will get used to all the noise and will actually become less spooky, which can be a good thing.

Answer 10

Shooting is illegal in most residential areas - call the police.  Why are the neighbors trespassing on the property?  Post no trespassing signs, no shooting signs - put a hand written sign that the police will be called.  Hope it works out, sounds like a dangerous situation.

Answer 11

Id move as fast as you can. guns, bullets and horses dont mix at all. its unsafe and just stupid :S Id just tell the owner that its unacceptable and that you feel very unsafe there and think its time for you to find a more well managed facility. and if they are going on the property without the owners knowlege I would definitally Phone the police next time you hear/ see them out in the feild. And dont forget to tell them you hear gun fire! if they dont end up with jail time for trespassing and firing off a dangerous weapon while on private property they will definitally get a very hefty fine.

Answer 12

These are tresspassers, and if they are so irresponsible as to tresspass, leave gates open, they wil probably injur themselves and horses. I would cotact the police and explain you are not the owner, but since your horses are there, you fear for their safety. I would contact the owner and ask him to press charges against the tresspassers. If this is not corrected, move your horses to a safer barn with more responsible people!

Answer 13

I would absolutely NEVER allow anything like that to happen! What if a gun misfires and hits a horse, or if a horse gets spooked and  injures the neighbor or his friends? The owner will get sued.  It's a good idea to change the locks.  If I were you, I'd confront or call this neighbor and tell him how you feel about him putting your horse and any others in danger and give him examples about how he left gates open etc. I would also notify the owner of the property and see what he/she says.  If the neighbor doesn't stop, call the police.  This person is tresspassing and is a danger to the animals around him.  I hope it doesn't get to that point, but good luck.

Edit: Greg B: She doesn't nessisarily have to go up to this man out in the field, she can go to his house or call. I personally would call him but its what she chooses.  I just wouldn't go strait to the police without giving him a warning first and telling the owner.  If he does continue, you can't just let it go.  You need to take charge and do something, not wait until your horses get hurt.  Once again, good luck!

Answer 14

I would be furious.  It probably wouldn't be the smartest thing to do, but I can definetely see myself marching over to the shooter's home and knocking on their door with a few words for them.  You can and should notify the authorities, as they are trespassing and could hurt livestock or a livestock caretaker who might happen to be in the pasture tending to the animals.

You are smart to lock the gates.  I'd also put up a ton of signs (so no one can miss them) that state "PRIVATE PROPERTY" and "NO TRESPASSING".  I'd also make it very clear to the shooters that they are not permitted to be on the property ever, for any reason.  

EDIT:  Erm, all of this applies ONLY if you own the land!  Sorry, should have mentioned that part.  It sounds as though you don't, so if the owner is OK with this activity and/or doesn't care, then move out of there ASAP.

Answer 15

I would sue the person!!! Horses are magnificant animals! They deserve respect!!!! If someone shot one of my horses, I would call the poilce, have them arrested, and put in jail for animal cruetly. I am very sensetive about that!

Answer 16

HorseJumper - do you really think it is a good idea for her to go out and confront a man with a gun in his hands and shoots it for fun?

The first question is are the neightbors allowed to do this by the owner? Even if overseas, the owner sets the rules for the property. If not, then report them to the sherrif's office for tresspassing. If the owner actually allows this, the move your horses asap. This is not a safe place for them to be.

Answer 17

You need to contact the owner,  Make them send a letter that says the people can NOT be on the property,  Then go to the police.

Answer 18

I would contact local authorities. Regardless of whether or not you own they property what they are doing is illegal and they could end up hurting a horse, or another human.

Answer 19

If they are not on your property then there is nothing you can do. I agree with Juliane, it is good for the horses to get exposed. I would look into bright colored blankets or fly sheets, though.

******edit*******

People she said "agistment" meaning -The take in, taking in by any one of other persons animal(s) to graze at a certain rate.

Not her land!

You should talk to the owner!! ASAP!! All you can do....... Or move them.