Please use the countryside responsibly- so fed up

[jacks11]

On a rare day off from my day job, I have once again spent the day dealing with a series of thoughtless and/or completely entitled idiots behaving totally irresponsibly on our land. I had thought the one (very small) silver lining of this awful situation would be that this lambing season would see us free from so many problems from people out for a walk etc. But still having issues.

Today I stopped no fewer than 7 families traipsing through either the yard, our garden (one family stopping to have a seat on the picnic table/bench in our garden) or the lambing sheds to have a look. One family also stopped off to admire the lambs in one of the fields then preceded to take there youngish children (under 10) into said fields to see them closer. Several gates left open, people climbing over gates etc. I caught someone feeding our old pony apples and a doughnut! We’ve had rubbish being dropped. Dogs off leads etc.

What I cannot understand is how so many are getting to us- they must be breaching the guidance to only exercise locally or walking at least 7 miles from the nearest village. Which I doubt with the ages of some of the children.

When DH politely approached the family in our garden they were really rude, citing their “right to roam”- not even slightly apologetic when pointed out they were in our garden so they had no right to be there. Ditto several other people- don’t seem to realise right to roam does not apply to private gardens or land used for commercial reasons- I.e. yards/lambing sheds and you must behave responsibly (e.g. close gates, don’t let dogs off leads near livestock, don’t leave rubbish, don’t worry livestock, don’t walk across crops etc).

When you add in the situation with Covid, you’d think people would be careful about touching gates etc unnecessarily- but no. Lots of people have vulnerable family members and this is just an added headache- having to constantly be aware that people may have touched the gates/railings/doors etc.

Please use the countryside responsibly- some of us live on the land you are using as a playground. You are putting our livestock at risk- please don’t feed livestock/horses for that reason- and sometimes yourself in danger. There is no excuse for leaving rubbish.

Rant over!!

Unfortunately it’s irresponsible idiots that treat the countryside as a novel playground and won’t stick to rights of way that will ruin it for the majority of responsible walkers. Our Ramblers group is very strict on observing the Countryside code (and no they are not walking at the moment)

Haha just chatting to my farming relative.

They've been muckspreading today.

They were due to anyway but it definitely puts the towners coming out for a walk through the paddocks with the cows and calves at foot. They're putting themselves in danger and won't listen but they will avoid the area when it honks 🤣🤣🤣🤣

We live in the middle of a sheep farm and, while our gardens haven't been abused yet, I have seen so many strangers walking, jogging, cycling and dog walking along our lane. Thry have never been here before the lockdown and must have had to come this way in their cars. They are abusing the guidelines and doing nothing to stop the spread of this virus. I'm fuming so you must be absolutely furious, OP. If me or my husband see anybody trying to interfere around the ewes and their lambs, I've a mind to inform the police.

I'm even thinking if printing off the stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives messages and sticking them in our front windows.

some people are very big on 'rights', but really very dismissive of their 'responsibilities' when exercising the traditional right of way

Yes, as this thread demonstrates, there's an entitled few that are hot on their rights but refuse to take the responsibility that goes with that right.
As the saying goes "Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints"

And please, please stop feeding, touching and disturbing other people's animals. Full stop. Doesn't matter what you think of their owners, if you think they're posh and stuck up for owning a horse or have inherited everything and you think it's all not fair, it's the animal that suffers the most when it goes wrong, and they're the ones with the least power.

it's the animal that suffers the most when it goes wrong, and they're the ones with the least power. Thanks. Best post on this thread

it's the animal that suffers the most when it goes wrong, and they're the ones with the least power absolutely

I love my horses. They are so loved and carefully looked after. How dare people feed them crisps and drop litter in their field? Imagine someone coming into your garden and feeding your dog chocolate. That's why I lock my gate at the moment.

My horse was next to my school's fence. When I caught two boys feeding my horse raw egg, shell and all, it wasn't pretty. I wasn't the one that got into trouble. . .

www.fwi.co.uk/livestock/sheep/pregnant-sheep-put-down-series-horrific-dog-attacks
This is what it looks like

Hester54

Can you really not see why farmers may just prefer to keep people off the land, particularly at this time of year? It’s not complicated, it’s really quite obvious to me- it is because these events are frequent enough to be a significant issue at the moment. And it is impossible to know who is going to be responsible and who is not. So it often feels like it would so much better for us if nobody were allowed to walk across our land without permission. I understand why this seems unfair to you.

But it is unfair that people can damage our property, invade our private property, cause harassment or injury or even death to our livestock or horses with seeming impunity. It’s nearly impossible to police those who are behaving badly (we’ve tried). Even if we could, there is actually very little come-back/punishment for those who do cause problems. They don’t usually have to compensate for losses. If they are injured (e.g. due to going into the horses field and getting kicked) I could be held responsible- the signs asking them to keep out etc would provide some protection but I have to have expensive insurance to protect against this. I shouldn’t have to though!

The impact of what is happening is significant too. When it happens so often, it becomes wearing and expensive. And time consuming, at a time when we are already extremely busy. When livestock, some of whom are the result of careful breeding by several generations of my husband’s family, are harmed repeatedly by the actions of walkers it is heart-breaking. And can be a significant financial hit. A few years ago my friend lost her old pony due to the actions of people out for a jolly in the countryside. One of ours had colic last year due to being fed sandwiches, crisps and cakes. I received verbal abuse from one of those responsible because his children “were just being children”- perhaps, but the parents ought to know better and if they didn’t they should have done as the numerous signs instructing then not to feed the ponies. Again, I should not need to have these signs. If it isn’t your animal/pet, don’t interfere with it and don’t allow your children to either!

Put simply- if you were to wonder onto our land tomorrow I would have no way of knowing if you were going to cause a problem or not. But at the moment, we could REALLY do without any more hassle. Seeing walkers just raises the possibility of more trouble for us. Of course you may behave perfectly- but how do we know that? We won’t until after you’ve been for your walk- hopefully all would be well, but if not the damage will have been done and we’ll be left to pick up the pieces and pay for it!

So I think it should be very easy to see why some farmers/landowners would just rather keep people off- because it makes sure these things won’t happen! as I say, unfair to those people who do behave responsibly but completely understandable. The number of people who are not behaving responsibly seems to climb every year- a significant minority if our experience is anything to go by. And it is worse than ever since lock-down which is baffling given that people are not supposed to be travelling far for exercise.

going against the flow here, this just sounds like a neighbour dispute. inconsiderate users are just ignorant. when we go on walks we do put dog on lead in lambing fields and don't loiter, don't choose paths which go thru or near houses (and apologise of it does happen) but surely landowners need to take the hit and compromise just like the rest of us. families are desperate right now and excercise/ getting out really matters.

surely landowners need to take the hit and compromise just like the rest of us. families are desperate right now and excercise/ getting out really matters

No,.they don't have to "take a hit". Just walk somewhere else.

I think part of the problem lies in the disconnect in food production. People go into Asda and buy a steak or a leg of lamb which is vacuum packed. They have no understanding of the processes that went into creating that.
They don’t understand about how field rotation works to create the quantity and quality of grass that feeds the animal which is how our meat quality is far better than other countries where animals are solely feed on processed feed.
They don’t know that the animals on a farm may have been bred for years or even generations to produce the best animals and if a walker’s dog causes an injury that means the animal has to be put down then years of work could go to waste.
I think people need more education about where food comes from. I hear about people complaining about farmers spending slurry and that they should spread it at some other time due to the smell when they are trying to have a bbq. Or that tractors should not be holding up the roads even though it is silage season.
This disconnect of how the food on your plate is created means people perceive farmers as rich landowners who do nothing. A certain poster referred to empty fields during ‘farmers holiday time’. This obviously shows they have no understanding of why a farmer may have to take heavy animals out of wet water logged fields in the winter and the work that goes into feeding them in a shed.

landowners need to take the hit and compromise just like the rest of us. families are desperate right now and excercise/ getting out really matters. You're a bloody fool

surely landowners need to take the hit and compromise just like the rest of us. families are desperate right now and excercise/ getting out really matters.

Would it be okay for the landowners to park their tractors in your garden, in the spirit of compromise, given the hit that they've taken?

This is a lot simpler in the US. Parks are for public use and private property is not.

@Tonyaster and @dexra

Thanks. It's a simple fact that's often forgotten by a lot involved as rights and responsibilities are discussed. I'm sure as horse owners at some point you've sat up all night with a colicky horse, I have, and once because someone threw garden waste in with them. Three went down with colic, one ended up being fatal because she was old.
I watched that mare die, it's the only horse I've ever known that died and wasn't destroyed, the vet didn't get back in time when she took a turn for the worse and she died in pain and distress, the other horses were distressed, we were distressed.

And I'm going to be honest here - as a horse owner/rider I've often used bridleways and they go through other people's land. My horse once spooked badly and I came off, went across crops, and as anyone knows a shod horse can leave a mess when galloping/slithering to a halt.
You know what though, I take not only the right for me to ride there seriously, but also the responsibility too. I went to the farmer, owned up and offered to pay. He wasn't amused obviously, but he refused payment and said to 'Keep 'old a bluddy hoss next time' - so I wasn't banned from riding there again. A bit of respect goes a long way.

we just need to calm down and share this situation ... nicely? I'm really sorry if I'm "a fool" (why? and what's a tractor being parked on my garden got to do with it? sounds threatening?), peeps need to exercise, animals need to grow safely and respect needs to be shown. damn I forgot this is aibu isn't it.

I think part of the problem lies in the disconnect in food production. People go into Asda and buy a steak or a leg of lamb which is vacuum packed. They have no understanding of the processes that went into creating that.

I agree. Add to that that most people’s experience of farms is the kind with a tea room and a tractor ride and it’s no wonder that many people think they can put their toddler in with the lambs.

I think they should reshow the old 80s farm safety film. We watched it in the school hall. All of us either lived on or near farms. Scared us all to death.

@Hester54 I used to have an ex working sheep dog. I still didn't let it enter fields I couldn't see into, because despite the fact it was 100% trustworthy with livestock and still had perfect training, any livestock directly behind the style wouldn't know that. But anyone that regularly walks with cutters and expects a personal announcement that someone is shockingly using their own land is going to be entitled as fuck so I'm wasting my time discussing it.

@bumblingbovine49 you sound a delight, and a shining example of why 'townies' often aren't welcome. Do you put up signs to label your garden private? If not then I imagine you won't mind me riding in it.

Imo it has fuck all to do with whether people understand about the countryside or farming. Dp and his family had zero background or experience with farming, livestock, horses etc. But they'd never had any difficulty behaving, because they were normal, considerate humans. I didn't have to explain basic concepts to them. It's not rocket science to understand that if somewhere doesn't belong to you and isn't public property you don't fuck about on it, or if animals aren't yours you don't feed them or disturb them, or to keep your dog under control, refrain from criminal damage etc.

I don't even have footpaths on my land, or the possibility anyone could justify mistaking a right of way. It still doesn't stop people thinking my horses and my land are a free public attraction.

But of course, not wishing to provide a free riding school/ petting zoo, and/ or avoiding distressed, injured, ill or dead horses isn't a good enough reason to want people to stay the fuck away, it must just be because I'm a stuck up horse owning cunt.

Also laughing at the deluded idea farmers are generally wealthy and blessed with 'free' housing. The subsidies have already been explained, but the other side of the coin is that rural dwellers are tax payers too, yet we get fuck all back. Except for wankers lacking the decency to behave themselves.

This obviously shows they have no understanding of why a farmer may have to take heavy animals out of wet water logged fields in the winter

'A beast eats with five mouths in bad weather' as the old saying goes (one mouth, four feet each puddling up a mouthful of food every time they take a step).

sussexmum perhaps you should suggest the same to the workers at Next et al, they should just 'take the hit' and get back into the warehouses etc because it's inconvenient for everyone else. Why should farmers, trying to do a job to produce FOOD for everyone to eat be more exposed to the virus because everyone else wants their daily exercise to be be a bit prettier?

@sussexmum

Are you serious?! Farmers should “take a hit”- unnecessarily due other people’s thoughtlessness and irresponsible behaviour. All because ”people need exercise and fresh air”? Why can they not access the countryside in a responsible manner, observing the countryside code? Why does being on lockdown excuse terrible behaviour?

The sentiment you express is exactly the stupid and entitled attitude that is the cause of the problems we face. It’s not the same thing as being furloughed or being unfortunate enough to lose your job etc due to covid pandemic. This is entirely avoidable, not some inevitable thing which has to happen for everyone’s good.

1. guidance is that we should exercise close to home. The vast majority of the walkers recently are doing no such thing- they have certainly driven and are not locals. Furthermore, by touching our garden gates, bench, the animal pens etc they put us at some degree of risk. Some families will have high risk family members. Why is it ok to put others at risk because they live rurally? Even if the risk of low, why cause people worry unnecessarily?
2. putting your child in the lambing pens or in the field with newborn lambs and their mothers or the horses etc does not just cause distress to our animals- which in my book is completely unacceptable- they are putting their children at risk. But hey- they need to get fresh air and “make memories”, so who cares about the well-being of the animals or the risks they are running with regards their children’s safety, just as long as people get to do what they want.
3. harassing livestock or feeding horses inappropriately or leaving gates open can cause injury or death to those animals. So it’s not just a financial hit, it’s also about animal welfare. Which absolutely is more important than a family having a jolly in the countryside, don’t you think? If not, why not?
4. the farm is not a playground- it’s a working environment and our livelihood. Causing physical damage and financial loss because of stupidity and recklessness is not acceptable. How would you feel if I did that to your home or business/place of work? How would you feel if I cost you £££ in damage and/or loss of earnings just because I could? Would you “take the hit” without a second thought? I doubt it.

And it happens every year, worse this year, but not new. So covid is not the sole cause, just seems worse than usual. What’s your excuse for previous years, and what will no doubt carry on in the future?

Posts like yours make me unbelievably angry!!

Share and compromise what @sussexmum? You want to share your income with everyone? Your home and garden? Will you or anyone else be sharing the vet bills? Or sitting up all night with seriously ill animals? Or when food supply, which is essentially what farming is, becomes disrupted will you be sharing your meals?

@Oldhaggard you have my sympathy, I've been there and it's soul destroying.

MIL has the exact same problem, there is a public footpath that goes down the side of the garden and then all the way into the two fields they own so often people don't realise what they are doing is wrong.

When lambing season started last year they put up a couple of signs "private property" in the garden, and a "keep dogs on a lead" in the field with the lambs and sheep and have minimal problems since. There will always be some people who either are just making an honest mistake, or that don't care and enjoy being twats. Not a lot you can do unfortunately OP, get some signs up and don't be so polite next time!

Sorry OP just seen that you said you had signs. Do you have a local newsletter you could put a notice in? MIL lives in the rural North and they have a monthly local magazine that goes round the local villages, people seem to take it very seriously too so maybe a notice in there could help if this is an option? Sorry I can't offer too many solutions, there really isn't much you can do

We've just pulled out our last lamb. It was touch and go whether it would survive. Lots of swinging and doses of colostrum. And idiots coming on our land threatening our sheep and lambs' survival. Please stay away