This was some great reading, got a few laughs.

I ditto the post talking about liability. That was my first thought. They are on your property. If they get hurt and are the sue happy type, guess who they come after?

thorny fence i hear barbed wire grows pertty fast

These posts have been SO FUN to read! Loved Trees and Weeds posts, and knew immediately they were jokes -- how could you not, seriously?
But I wanted to comment quickly on the liability issue -- my mom has several acres (she rents the house and property) that school kids (most of whom litter and vandalize the property as well) use as a shortcut. She has posted 'no trespassing' 'private property' and 'beware of dog' signs throughout. The dog is not vicious, but is protective. Lo and behold, one time she was out with the dog, and some kids (around age 12) were cutting through. One of them took one look at her dog, screamed, and ran... Of course the dog (not normally vicious, just a big black lab), gave chase and grabbed the boy by his leg. Left small marks. My mom took the boy in the house, cleaned it up, offered to call his mom, kid said NO, he was fine, just embarassed... The story ends with the parents sueing and my mom eventually filing for bankruptcy because her renter's insurance wouldn't cover their lawsuit... Ugh.
The point? You are liable, even for trespassers, even if you posted no trespassing signs.

I think posting is a good idea it lets them know you dont approve IF tney come back I love Rosas idea very well said. We too have trouble with neighbors in a private community small lots we have 40 acres so we'll just use thiers ....Around here horseback riders are limited now because of 911,Battlefield,dams...But still you dont tresspass..

Well hello from another west coast Canadian.
I can't believe a single thread has lasted a full year. Rinni I sympathise for you as we have similar happenings with kids starting fires over the years in the woods behind around our house. Once my family came home to find the fire department on our front lawn and the remains of a forest fire 50 feet from the house. (Started by kids throwing rocks at bottles) Ironicaly had the normaly west winds been blowing, the house would have been gone. Luckily at it was, an east wind came up that day and blew the fire away from the house.
A couple of days ago I noticed that someone had chained a canoe onto a tree on our waterfront property. (The property is across the road from our house and has no builings on it) But there is a sign stating it is private property and there are 2 docks on it. We don't mind if the neigbours swim/fish there if they ask permission first and respect the property. But we do not want boats or other equipment being stored there. My first thought was "Whoo hoo, a new canoe for me". But decided to leave a note stating our objection to the canoe. Dumb thing is we have no idea who owns the canoe. I was thinking of using some of Weedgrowers "M84 "Toe Popper" Anti-Personnal mines" but then realised I would be destroying a perfectly good canoe in the process. (Wait ALicia, just kidding) I think I will let it sit there for a month or so and if it is still there, then take some bolt cutters to the chain,(let them come to me)or replace it with a broken canoe I have yet to fix from a bad snowfall.
As for a thorny fence, we have Himalayen Balck Berries here that will grow 20 feet a year. Trouble is, once started you're going to have a new problem with berry pickers and the canes can not be stopped. No joke, even dipping the ends in gas does nothing. Only thing we have found to stop them is 2-4D. And that only dies them back for a month or two.
Anyway thanks for the laughs,
Good luck with the horses. (Least they only leave footprints)
Scott

Trees4Me,i "got" the humor in your post and hope that you will not feel the need to completely back off from sharing your obviously great personality. sometimes people need a good laugh. i did. thanks.

It took exactly 2 days in our new home to have the neighbor kid ride his bike down our back property then used our long driveway as a ramp to build up his speed before he hit the street.

Next day we called a fence guy and fenced in our whole property 1.5 acres. I have not had a problem since. I can now happily go outside and say THIS IS MINE!

I somehow have the feeling that Easterners are much more laid back about trespassers on their property than Westerners are. Perhaps we Westerners are still under the influence of the Old West where "squatter" was one of the dirtiest words in the language, and trespassing was a close second.

The British are terribly civilised - they have ancient public "rights of way" accross private land so that people can walk or ride accross fields from village to village.

Guess what? People act responsibly and stick to the paths and don't damage property nor sue others at the drop of a hat.

But of course, this is America. People here are - well - different.

Well Rini, I think most of the people replying to your horrific story are taking it pretty easy on you. I currently live in a subdivision on a 3 acre cul de sac lot. I did not grow up on a whopping 7+ acre lot like yourself. You see, I grew up in NE Ohio on a 700+ acre dairy farm. We had farms that bordered our property on all sides, and I was free to wander on and off of all my neighbor's property (without permission). My family, like many others in the area, had horses, and we rode where we pleased. We did not tear up our neighbors lawns, and we did not let the horses eat anything that was obviously planted by humans. We did not tromp through the middle of their gardens. We also always kept away from the houses so we would not invade privacy or annoy pets. The horses would occasionally drop some "road apples" that would eventually disolve into the ground and produce VERY green grass. Bottom line is this...if they are not hurting you (I assume they are not) and they are not damaging your property (other than a few hoof prints) I would leave them alone. If I were to walk your sprawling 7+ acres, I'm sure I would find much more damage caused by deer and other wild animals. I'm sure you don't want them off your property do you? Instead, I would do this. If you see them, approach them and introduce yourself. Ask them where they're from (they probably grew up in that area as kids), and I'm sure you'll find they're very nice considerate people. While you're at it, why don't you take a couple carrots for the horses, and thank them for the free fertilized. I'm sure in the future they will ride the same path over and over. Take advantage of the situation and plant some black berries along the trail. They'll be the best berries you've ever tasted...I guarantee it!!

A country boy living in the big city!!

I bought 5 acres in the country in central Texas. Everyone
around me owns horses and I don't mind when they cut across my property. I know most of the riders and they are
careful not to tear up grass, flowers ect.. Besides my dog
(a German Sheperd who was a "city" dog until I rescued her
from some cruel people)loves horses and does not bark or make a scene but wants to be friends with these "big things" and the horses sense this, its fun to watch!
I moved to the country to experience the country, Horses
are always welcome on my property.

After spending way too much time reading this entire thread I only have one thing to say.

You actually CAN compost Horses!

Anytype of livestock can be composted. It is easest with small animals and poultry, but I know of dairy farms that compost their mortalities. It is actually becoming common in some areas as rendering services are not always reliable enough to meet state laws on the handling of livestock mortalities.

It is envirionmentally very friendly as the finished compost is free of pathogens and makes a great fertilizer for crops. Just my 2 cents worth!

Ben

To all you friendly horseriders... Obviously, Rini started this thread because she was angry about people tresspassing on her property. SO angry, she did not trust herself to approach them as a rational person. This is her property. If trespassing makes her angry, she has every right to make it stop. She should not try to change her own attitude, just because other people want to use what is hers without paying for it. She probably worked hard to have a place of her own to relax in, and nobody has the right to disturb that, for their own selfish pleasure.
What if Rini felt like riding a horse, so she just drove to a place where she saw some horses out in a pasture, took one for a few hours to ride, then brought it back and expected the horse owner not to be upset? There was no 'don't take my horse without permission' sign. Why should there have to be such a sign? We should respect each others property without it having to be said. For those who do not respect others' property, there should be fitting consequences.
Rini, I think you should make it obvious the boundaries of your private property, then take whatever legal measures necessary to secure your peace of mind.

Jeepers, Rini & the Garden Gang,

The years have flown by and this thread still lives on!!!
It's nice to see that there are still wonderful peeps that love to "horse" around with their gardens...and Rini...I hope we've solved the horsie probs.

Loves & hugs to all,

Trees4 "I wouldn't even hurt a horse flea" Me
:)

Rini, I too hope that by now, all is well. It's been fun reading the replies to your concern. Some of the folks must just be too sweet to have sugar melt in their mouth. Heck yeah. If they're out stomping on your property uninvited then just take them some iced tea. And, don't forget the carrots for the nags 'cause they must have worked up an appitite also.

I do hope you have been able to resolve the situation to your satisfaction.

Did you check to make sure your property does not have public paths or easements on it? Also, you don't want to set a precedent so that your private paths become easements by constant use by the public. My sister "almost" bought land with horse trail easements on it. The real estate broker assured her that there were no horse trail easments on the property. We were walking the property and ran into a couple of folks riding their horses. After a thorough check of town maps, yup we found the easement running through what would be her front yard after the house was to be built. Also, the town of Boxford Mass had a problem with a developer not putting the horse trail easements on the maps he was giving to propsective buyers. Not alot of happy folks there.

Taylor

private property is joke. we as humans only exist for a relatively short time on this earth and it is ridiculous to think that we own parts of it. the land was here before we were born and the land will be here long after we are gone. territorial instincts are part of our animal nature. but if one can looks at the big picture it seems a little trivial to get upset about something that hasnt done any harm to any living creature. a change of perspective would be helpful for anyone involved in a property dispute.
but by the size and extent of this thread lot of people have strong feelings about this....

it seems a little trivial to get upset about something that hasnt done any harm to any living creature.

on the other hand, they could sue if they were injured on the "property". No matter how that injury occurred. And that could wipe out someone's estate, or cause the insurance company to cancel coverage and then it might be tough to get coverage from someone else (I assume that's a state-by-state thing).

I only wish I had enough land to have horses ride through...I would make trails for them cause I love that manure and love horses...have to haul it in buckets from a local stable!!!!! ONE MAN'S GOLD IS ANOTHER MAN'S "MANURE".

Joepyeweed thank you for reading my mind. lol

As I'm sitting here reading these posts (you're hilarious Trees4Me) I can't help but think that none of us truly OWNS anything but ourselves. I take great pride in my garden and the trees I've planted, but I also know they will be there long after I'm mulched.

I had my first watermelon stolen last year; it was consequently the last as an early winter set in. Yes, it bothered me at the time and for an afternoon I stewed about it, contemplating different holes I could hide the bodies in. lol

In the end though, I assumed that person must have needed it more than I since they had to steal through my fence and procure it. Either that, or a devilish little pixie snatched it up for Samhain. hehe

I don't think I've ever heard that the horse riders are messing up anything in your garden or property, other than the possible risk of them hurting themselves on "your land" and suing. THAT in and of itself is another issue with humanity. Why are we all so damn quick to sue one another? What happened to an apology and an apple pie??

Just my passing thoughts :D

maybe thorspippi is a lawyer - but i doubt it. like i said no harm was done, now had someone been injured and then they sued - well then there would be something to be upset about. and unless the property owner was negligent a lawsuit wouldnt get far in any court. you could develop one hundred scenarios of possible injuries. i might get hit by a car tonight too, but i dont sit around and get upset about it.

fyrefly: you have good charma by resolving that the person who stole from you must have needed it more - is awesome - and very jesus like. we have alot of the same philosophies.

maybe thorspippi is a lawyer

No, I'm not a lawyer. But when a court system awards millions to an old lady who burns herself on hot coffee...

It's better not to imply consent and then have no leg to stand on.

Hey, this thread is almost 2 years old! Incredible!

Joepyeweed, thanks for the sweet sentiments. I don't know how Jesus like I am, but I do strive to be gentle and control the raging B*tch inside. lol

Thorspippi, are you talking about the woman that sued McDonalds for hot coffee in her lap? I talked to a lawyer that was involved in that case. What most of us weren't told is that over 150 others had small claims cases against them for 2nd to 3rd degree burns from MD's coffee prior to her case. She apperantly had 3rd degree burns covering her stomach, genitals, and upper thighs.

After being warned so many times about their nuclear java, I'd say she well deserved it (can't even imagine a SUNburn on my genitals!). Shows how much the media actually tells us, huh? ;)

I suppose so.

But I still think she should have known better. I used to have their coffee (before the lawsuit thing) for years. I adjusted accordingly. If I was in a hurry, I always asked for a small cup of ice. But then, I'm one of those people who drink their coffee around body temperature or lower, so every single place I get coffee from is too hot for me.

But ok. I can give on this one. :-)

Sonny & Cher: '...and the thread goes on....la de da dee dee'

Thanks, fyrefly (and all the others who don't want to kill me)!

Wow...in the year 3004, when some post-World War VI (the so-called "500-year horse/anti-horse/trespassing/lawyer/expresso war") botanists accidentally find the server for Garden Web forums while digging a hole to plant a thought-to-be-extinct false horse chestnut tree, they'll probably reactivate the site and add 20 more posts to this thread!
------------------------------------------------------------
I'm almost speechless...except...ok, I'm never speechless...a few thoughts, after reading the last few posts....

Rini,

Maybe if you planted some Kentucky coffee trees (gymnocladus dioicus), and the horses nibbled on their seeds (they're POISONOUS!!!), problem solved! No lawsuits, just horsies who mysteriously go home and keel over!!!

or....maybe you could have the good military folks in Tonopah, Nevada (Area 51) invent a nuclear bomb that only kills horses...they could call it, THE H-BOMB...oh, wait a minute...that name's already taken...

Heh heh heh....d'oh!!!....GREAT, the horse people are p.o.'ed again...time to saddle up and ride out of town...but not across anyone's property....

'Trees4 (brewing cold coffee, 'Kona Premium Equus Caballus', for his neighbor's horses because he LOVES horses) Me...OUT!'

Here is a link that might be useful: Garden Web

Speaking as a rider and also as a property owner who loves when someone enjoys our property..., a friend and I used to ride everywhere we possibly could, as long as the horses could handle it. We were extremely careful and considerate, and asked for permission whenever it was obvious we were on someone's property. But sometimes woods are not obvious, and around here especially, many hundreds of acres of woods are not owned by abutting property owners. It IS a good idea to post some sort of "No Trespassing Without Permission of Property Owner" sign if, indeed, it's not obvious that the area in question belongs to you, and if there's a slim chance that other "uninvited" walkers or riders might accidentally happen along. Personally, and everyone is different, my husband and I wouldn't care who used our 6 acres, anytime, without permission, as often as they wanted, if they were just passing through enjoying the outdoors, unless they were hunting with guns or disturbing our sleep at night. (We also share our house when needed, but that's another story.) Not many people around here lock their houses or cars or feel possessive about their property. You may be dealing with someone who is perfectly nice and perfectly considerate in their own way of thinking. Communication is always right. Assumptions are usually wrong. Good luck!

I wanted to add that if you tend to harbor a sense of "illegal trespassing," a sign would be considerateness on your end to warn people away. My feelings as a property owner and my experience as a rider are so very different from yours, but perhaps a sign would be a simple way to at least save you tons of stressful emotion....

Rini has missed her calling...She should have been in the boarder patrol.She could have spent her time patroling the thousands of miles of boarder instead of her postage stamp corner lot. I bet'cha if a farmer was spreading liquid manure or spraying Roundupon his property, she would have the EPA, CIA, local and state police and any other branch of government she could find and be a real pain in the backside.We have city dwellers buying lots in this area and think they own and control the whole area.They have have no interest in co-existing w/folks that have lived and worked the land for generations. I mow trails on my farm for my horse friends and we have NO problems. The best place for Rini is the big city....Where big gov. can help her and she won't have to worry about bushwacking some poor horse and rider. Get off your high horse Rini, the sudden stop at the bottom when you fall may break your bones.

Rini has missed her calling...She should have been in the boarder patrol.She could have spent her time patroling the thousands of miles of boarder instead of her postage stamp corner lot. I bet'cha if a farmer was spreading liquid manure or spraying Roundupon his property, she would have the EPA, CIA, local and state police and any other branch of government she could find and be a real pain in the backside

Wowza, you must have a special hookup with Ms. Cleo or something to have gleaned all *that* from the four rather reasoned and polite posts Rini made to this thread almost TWO YEARS AGO.

We have city dwellers buying lots in this area and think they own and control the whole area.They have have no interest in co-existing w/folks that have lived and worked the land for generations.

Ah, you're bitter about that so you thought you'd "contribute" to this thread. I see.

I mow trails on my farm for my horse friends and we have NO problems.

Well, good for you choosing to do what you want with YOUR property. Has it ever occurred to you that other folks want the option of doing the same?

The best place for Rini is the big city....Where big gov. can help her and she won't have to worry about bushwacking some poor horse and rider.

bushwacking... appears that you're channelling Ms. Cleo again.

Get off your high horse Rini, the sudden stop at the bottom when you fall may break your bones.

Real nice. And out of line, as was the rest of your post.

Dave,

Do we have issues???
This is a garden web forum, not a "vent-on-Rini" forum!

There are anger management courses offered by "the local government", probably even discounted for the local kin who've "worked the land for generations".

A word for you: THORAZINE (horse tranquilizer)....consider it before you flame on Rini again. Maybe a few less cups of coffee too? Rini's asking for advice, not threats...

"They have have no interest in co-existing w/folks that have lived and worked the land for generations." NIMBY????? Get off your gold-plated tractor, you know, the one your great-granpappy left for you....I imagine more than a few native American would like YOU to get off THEIR(and their ancestor's) land...Think about it...

Welcome to the 21st century! We aren't living in Germany, circa 1940, Adolph...Believe it or not, some "city dwellers" want to enjoy the peaceful country life too! Of course, we'd hate to impose our "postage stamp" mindset on your vast manure-covered farm.

Guess what...there are a lot of people who like the wide-open spaces, but don't want to own a 2000-acre farm (or boast about it either)!

"They have have no interest in co-existing w/folks that have lived and worked the land for generations." Who are THEY???? Fascist dicators? What color is the sky on your farm? I thought the USA was about freedom...silly me! I actually thought there were no laws against owning 3-acre "postage stamps"!

"I mow trails on my farm for my horse friends and we have NO problems." Friends??? Never mind, I won't go there...

You should "mow" down those big weeds of bigotry. Your "friends" decided to sell their lots to those horrible "city dwellers"...shame on your "friends" for allowing "your" farm to "boarder" (sic) "postage stamp" lots...Why, oh why didn't they ask Your Daveness for permission to make a buck or two by subdividing their farms....Now, the Casa del Hatred Estate is surrounded by "city-dwelling" peasants (and non-related ones at that!).

Those awful "boarders" (squatters?...jeepers, Mr Wilson), sitting on the edge of your whoppin' big ranch, upsetting Auntie & Uncle Inbred & little Davie...When you're sittin' in the rocking chair on your porch, glaring at them with a pair of binoculars (they're too far away to see without binoculars), are you sticking pins in a Voodoo statue of the Empire State Building, wishing the county sheriff would "Round Up" all those wicked urbanites and send them to a 6' by 8' Singapore jail cell?..Cane them city-slicks, of course, for having the nerve to move out of the "big city", where they belong!

Your post had too much "manure" in it...nobody wants it here, not city-dweller, country-kin, etc...

And forget about "bushwacking" (sic) Rini...YOU'RE already "wacked" (sic) enough...I'm reminding you to take those horsie tranquilizers...

All the farmers and their kin I've ever met were nice hospitable folks...I didn't realize that rural folks & they's family had such pent up rage...wow, did you wake me up!!!

Do us all a favor: call up Andy & Barney and have them lock you up, and all your like-minded buddies, until you can remove the ME-ME-ME blinders....and don't wake up Otis either...he might get feisty and start spouting off, like someone who posted their nastiness in here...

Moonshine causes brain damage...

The next Woodstock should be held on your vast property, with thousands of Dave's-kin ponies galloping all over your sorghum & corn (which is okay, because they've lived there for generations, and can "work" (damage?) your property...That shouldn't annoy you, right?

And lighten up, ok? Some narrow-minded boneheads need to get off THEIR high horses, not breaking any bones (your threats suck, Osama bin David), but having some sense knocked into them...welcome to America, where EVERYONE has the right to live the American dream, country farm or city postage stamp lot...and people like Rini have the right to complain and ask for advice when someone trespasses and tramples her PRIVATE PROPERTY...

Rini rules...Davie drools...

Keep the GOOD & FUN advice goin' folks...and flame on some other website, PLEASE!

Peace,

--Trees4-"likes people who he isn't even related to, but likes his postage-stamp-sized property rights respected"-Me

I realise this thread is old and the issue is probably not an isse anymore, but I have just one small comment (because I am a horseperson myself, and have come accross this problem) Is it possible the riders didn't know they were on your property?? Unless there is a fence or some markers, they would hev no way of knowing weather they were on your property or not. Perhaps they didn't ask because they didn't think they were on your property.

Even though I'm a horseperson, I'd get upset if riders/ATVers/hikers were trespassing on my property. (I walk in my back yard, but that doesn't mean every person in my neibourhood can do the same) My property is my property and thats that. If I don't want you on it, you get off, I don't care weather you are "hurting anything" or not. (I have ex-roomates who are not allowed on my property for any reason. If I saw them there I could and would have them arrested. Regardless of any damage, or lack therof)

Wow - it is hard to believe that this thread is going strong. I appreciate all the constructive advice I've received and "thank you" to those who defended me against Dave. I had to go back and read my message to try and figure out how he was coming up with the things he said.

In case anyone is interested, we did meet the horseriders and introduced ourselves. They did know that it was private property and we simply asked them to call us before coming over. We have not seen them since.

For those of you interested in the city dweller/old-time country dweller debate, my husband grew up on a farm in the area we're currently living in -- we live less than a mile from his old house. He tells me stories about trespassers being greeted with suspicion and, at times, a loaded gun. It appears that at least some old country-dwellers are as possessive of their property as the new country-dwellers.

Thanks for the laughs and the advice.
Rini

I think your horse riders are being terribly inconsiderate & rude. There are those people - city or country who once they do things in a certain way believe they have the right to do so. I had horses for 20 years. I did not ride on the property of others without their permission it was not a consideration. I did have a problem at one time with my horses getting out & grazing on the property of others. It was open land & probably hurt nothing, but it upset the owners. Because it upset the owners I went out of my way to correct the problem  it was the responsible thing to do. If a rider gets bored with riding on their own property they need to take their animals to a park with trails  not use the property of others simply for their own convenience or enjoyment. If they are young riders you might politely find a way to say you do not want them on your property  they may simply not know better or have been taught any better. I would not make a deal with them unless you really wanted to  you have a right to tell others you do not want them on your property. Personally, I would see no reason to make a deal to keep people off your land who have no right to be there in the first place.

Rini I know just how you felt 2 years ago. I live on 5 acres of cleared land in the middle of 80 acres of desert sage brush. I have had riders and horses come through my land within 10 feet of my home. They trampled over a large area that I have been adding compost to and hand leveling for a lawn. I was livid. I live in the Southwest where you call before coming over or you wait at the entrance to the property for someone to invite you in. You dont trespass and damage property because it just looks like dirt to you! Growing anything in the desert is hard; it takes a lot of preparation and water.

My privacy is precious to me. When I want to be social I will go to the general store or the community center. When I am home I seldom want people within a ½ mile of me. That is why I live here. When I am out I am well liked and fun to be around but when I am home I am very anal and dont want my privace disturbed or my property damaged or stolen. Both have happened. By the way in Nevada we have the right to protect our property with whatever force is necessary.

Sorry I have rambled on and vented but this is a subject that is very dear to me. I am normally light and jovial on forums but this must be one of my
anal days. I just dont know the answer to rude people who have miles and miles of open range to ride in but prefer to ride on improved land instead of a hundred yards to the north where no one would care. I guess it is just the times we live in where people are no longer considerate of others, they only care about themselves.

Thank You!
Mouseman

Rini,
Your comment about a loaded gun reminds me of a story from long ago, when I was in high school. We lived on a fruit ranch among many other fruit ranches....This summer a neighbor grew a large patch of watermelons.
My sister and her friends decided to drive down the back roads one night and 'lift a few' watermelons..just for the fun of it.
They were going to go in the old '52 convertible. They decided one of them who couldn't run as fast as the others would drive the car as they left and the others would grab a few watermelons and dump them into the back seat of the car.
Evidently my father heard of their plans (he always seemed to know what was underfoot) and he warned the neighbor. I think he and the neighbor must have planned to teach the girls a lesson.
The night came and the girls drove to the side of the field. The designated driver was ready at the wheel with the engine running, and the others went into the field to get the melons.
Suddenly they heard the farmer shout "Who's there?" at the same time as he fired the shotgun into the air. The girls grabbed the melons they had and jumped over the side of the car into the back seats and told the driver to "Hit it!" She did. She shoved the automatic gears into position and jammed her foot on the gas. The only problem was that she had put the car into reverse instead of forward. The car plowed backwards into the field and the girls jumped out of the car and ran for home.
As you said trespassers were sometimes greeted with a gun, although in this case, I think the farmer and my father enjoyed it more than the trespassers.
L.

I realise this thread is over 2 yrs old, but, maybe some "tresspassers" will read it and take heed. Who knows?

Mouseman echoed my sentiments, exactly. But, he got here first LOL

I had s similar situation when we moved to a "suburbs" of the Twin Cities. Aparrently the house we started renting (before buying it) had been vacant for a couple of months, which, seemed to give the neighborhood carte blanche to use as a pathway between streets and houses. Especially, the adult male and teenage boy to the back-side of our back yard. As well as the teen across the street and over one house. They regularly walked through our backyard, between our house and garage, and down our driveway, and back. The people to the right-side, had no control over where their dogs relieved themselves, the ones to back-side let their two hairballs run wherever the hell the wanted, the people accoss the street let their dog come over and use our front lawn for a bathroom (seriously! to the point of the guy WALKING the dog over in the morning as he drank a cup of coffee and waited at the end of our driveway.!) I politley talked to them, and got RUDENESS back. I blocked the "paths" they moved the stuff out of the way, even "partied" in OUR backyard drinking at all hours, even after telling them to leave our property!... The people to the side-back even CUT down several trees, cut the branches off, cut the trunks up, and took the wood! Of course leaving the crap behind!(they didn't do it all at once. they would cut the tree down, then a week later cut the branches off, then aweek or so later cut the trunk into pieces, then a week or so later take a few pieces, etc. 7 trees total!) They dumped their lawn trash in our back yard, as well as half-burned vacuum bags full of dog hair. The dogs down the street were let out regularly, and came over and barked and yapped at my small childrenn in OUR front yard playing. It was a total MESS! The last straw was the SECOND time I had called the police about the people to the back-side, as I SAW him toss wood into his yard then go around his house. I followed him, and we got "into it". Apparently *I* was a trouble maker because *I* was new, and *I* wanted poeple to keep control of their dogs. (hello!! 3 LEASH laws here!) And *I* didn't have any say as to what anyone did to the yard because we were "only renting", and *I* wasn't doing anything with the trees anyway! I was also told he had been there the longest in the neighborhood, and would decide if *I* could even buy the house at all! And he will do what ever he wanted to!

Now, after saying all that, how the heck do you think people would react if *I* left MY FOUR children wreak havoc on their property. I don't even let them go into someone's yard to retrieve a ball without asking the owner FIRST. And just what do you think would happen if *I* let MY two Great Danes out to use their lawn???? All hell would break out!

Needless to say, we are to this day the ONLY ones in the neigborhood to have a completely fenced yard(6ft chainlink in the back, wooden privacy fence between us and the back-side neighbors). About half of the houses now have their back yards fenced.

I am still appalled at the total LACK of conciderstion that people have now adays, when it comes to other people's property!

I grew up in the country, rode horses, and NEVER rode anywhere I didn't ASK for permission first!

Rini has every right to decide what, where, and whom goes, if any, on her own property, whether they were "hurting" anything, or or not. Not their decision. No deals. I don't "bribe" my kids in order to get them to behave, I am surely not going to "bribe" stangers.

Michelle

Rini - have they left yet?

Al

Great thread! The overriding(no pun intended) issue though is liability. If they fall off and break their neck, Rini pays. That's the way it works. I was sued by trespassers who were injured. My insurance footed the bill. Now Rini would get herself into a BIG mess by actually allowing(inviting) the people to ride there. If trespassing, all you can collect for is medical bills, time off work, and related expenses. If you are invited/allowed, there is no limit to the damages you can seek. Beware!(and get an umbrella liability policy)

Wow.

I'm absolutely exhausted reading thru this thread. But I can relate to it - as both a horse owner & a property owner.

I wasn't home, but the moving van was still in the driveway when a bevy of riders rode up & thru my new farm, as they apparently had been doing for some time. When a neighbor questioned them, they said they were "close friends" of mine. Funny, since I hadn't even moved into the house & didn't know a soul.

This is the sort of stuff that gives riders a bad name - just like hunters. There are tons of bad apples - you just have to weed them out. I went thru it with the hunters too. Folks pulling up to my house in the middle of the night planning on hunting. No explanation, no request, just thinking it was automatically okay. Sorry guys.

It really irks me when people think they have some "right" to do whatever they want just because they've "always done it".

I have to write, mostly just to keep this thread going! Is there a record for the longest-lived thread?

I can sympathize with Rini completely. We own 20 acres and from the day we bought it we have battled the neighbors (just one family) who think they have the right to ride their snowmobiles and ATVs through our woods. Their dog essentially lives at our house because they do not keep him at home nor pay attention to him. We have chosen to pick our fights and try to remain on friendly terms with the neighbors. So, for example, I have told the three boys that they are absolutely NEVER allowed to bring their BB guns onto our property. No excuses, never. They are NEVER allowed to ride their snowmobiles or ATVs on our property. Ever. On the other side, I will look the other way if they come over without asking and sled down our hill. I really would rather they ask, but am willing to give a little. If they want to go fishing on our riverbank, fine, they can do that too, as long as they WALK there and don't take guns. I still resent it, but I can live with it and we have a reasonably good relationship.

Great thread. And great response to that Dave guy, Trees4Me.

Wow,what a great thread.

We just moved onto 5 acres in the woods,a step up from three in FL.We did walk onto someone property on accident,but quickly found our own and a ATV trail in the back.Lucky we are fencing everything and of course our dogs will be in their kennels outside near the house.

What I worry about is someone "messing" with our horses.Feeding them the wrong things or hitting one of them(one horse tries to nip at times).

I always wondered if:

Alicia & Tree4Me met up and married.

and if:

eightoar found out who the heck owned that canoe?

Rini, just stumbled on this thread today and read it about 90 percent of the way through and see it ended back on Dec. 16, 2006. Just thoght I'd jump in and say I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Years!

WOW! What a thread. Exciting, entertaining,and edifing!

Wow-this post is now almost five years old! I had a blast reading through it!!! Bet you didn't know what you were getting into Rini!

I would be considered one of the "city folk" who moved to the country. I don't know if we'd be officially considered "the country" as we're just outside the city on 2.5 acres which is country to us! We moved here for the space, the gorgeous views, a less hectic pace to raise our son, and my love of gardening.

When we bought the house we were told that five feet inside our property line was considered a common horse trail. Everyone who lives here gives up five feet within their property line but I've never seen anyone ride their horse on our property ever.

There are several dirt roads (the roads are not private) a few miles up from our property that have ranches with 20-40 acres each and we love to take long walks back there.

I have to be honest, I didn't know "country etiquette" but used common sense to make my son ask before he fed anyone's horses, goats, etc. I didn't even let him go to the front door because the houses are so far back on the property I didn't want to impose nor did I want to get attacked by a ranch dog! We like to take our dog off leash but trained her sternly the first year to stay on the dirt road and never venture onto someone's property. It helped that she got stung on the nose by someone's electric fence as she now stays on the road.

We've had some ranch owners introduce themselves to us and invite my son to feed their animals anytime without asking and allow our dog to frolic with their dogs anytime. Others barely give us a nod. We respect both.

We love it here and love our neighbors. When we were cutting down a tree all the neighbors came out of the woodwork and pitched in. Our basement flooded and another neighbor brought over waders and helped us resolve it. In return, I've watched their kids when in a bind, watered their vegetable gardens (these are big gardens compared to the city!) when they went on vacation. I've also learned to make jelly and can from another neighbor.

I've had some great neighbors in the city but not like this. It's a breath of fresh "country" air. All of my "city folk" friends love to visit and we're even hosting a wedding here this summer!

I feel so grateful to live here and don't get me wrong I still LOVE the city and go every couple of weeks.

;)
Charlene

Hi Rini:

I just joined GardenWeb, so I'm late responding to your post. I completely understand your anger at the riders in your backyard. I live in Mendon and have had people disrespect my property on occasion too. Simply, I would call the police and tell them you have trespassers on your property and let them handle it. I used to try to work things like this out myself, but people these days just take what is not theirs and they really don't care either. I have a neighbor who is horrible. She takes over anyone's land she can for her horses (because she doesn't have enough land for them). She once told me" "I take what I want until someone reports me, haha." Everyone warned me when I moved in about her and they were right! Now, when she does something stupid, I just call the police and they handle it. Her kid and his gothe friend loves to maim wildlife too. Nice eh? Make it easy on yourself, call the police and enjoy what is yours...you earned it! Oh, and for all the horse folks that might object to my post...I had horses all my life and I would never dream of encroaching on someone else's property...its a matter of respect for your fellow man (or woman). Good luck 2 you!!!

I understand your concerns. While I also grew up where I could basically ride wherever my heart desired, I know it's not like that now. A huge concern to me would be liability issues. What if one of the horses or riders were injured on your property? Could/would they come back onto you for damages? Now nothing against those who smoke but if your property becomes flammable during summer months - I know horse riders who smoke and not all people think twice about tossing down a cig butt. They might even think they are out but I'm here to tell you they contain heat and cause fires every year. I work in a wildland fire agency and we have these issues all summer long. Garbage is another item you could have to put up with.
Same issues with anyone walking or bike riding on your property. What if the urge to go to the bathroom happens when they are crossing your property - will they or won't they? A few years ago on the Oprah show they had an "outdoor" lady on who told millions of people to light their toilet paper on fire when done. In Central Oregon we had a 400+ acre fire from someone who lite theirs on fire, just didn't know it would catch everything else on fire also...

Ok, just my thoughts on this issue.

WOOW....If this thread was a paperback book, it would sell!! Certainly kept me from beiing bored tonight!!!
Love this forum.

I did not read all the replies ... so if I repeat something ... my apologies.

But you said you have 7 acres ... call your Game Warden and let him or her know you believe these riders to be scouting for a hunting area without permission.

Once the Game Warden responds and catches them ... they will not be back.