To kick these people out?

[CompletePushover]

7 yrs and this is my first AIBU, and I'm so cowardly I've name changed

So... After years of renting crappy places dh, the 4dcs and I have finally bought a lovely house.

It's great. Needs loads of work doing on it. Lots of potential, completely neglected and now ours. The people who had it before us had some problems and had criminally neglected their animals. The house comes with a field.

Now begins the lovely story. A few years ago Some people passing by saw how neglected the horse in the field was and took it upon themselves to look after it. They did amazing things, built him a shelter, bought him food, trimmed his hooves, all of it.

The horse is a stallion and unbroken but of nice temperament. But it means he can be flighty.

Move on a year and one of the group has taken on most of the care and bought their own horse who now lives rent free in the field.

Two weeks before completion the owner tells us we will be inheriting a cat and that the horses are staying (he's gifted the stallion to the other horse owner)

So... We panicked until lovely horse person came to our door and seemed very nice, and we said they could stay until Easter and then we'd see (rent free).

This all seemed ok, but there have been annoyances: There's no where else to park but in our drive, when we want to wander around the field with the dcs we have to struggle through two horses and it's a nightmare, and now finally we have bought out longed for dog and I can't walk him on my field without someone with me because I can't carry a baby and a puppy and fend off the horses on my own, in December we were told they use one of our sheds for feed, And there are other people who are part of the group who have not introduced themselves to me, but who go on to my field regularly.

So this evening we've let the horse owner know that beyond the end of march we want our field back. At the moment I've used it twice since we moved in and I want to use it daily.

They're not happy. I tell a lie, one is not happy, the other is completely understanding.

I know they did a good thing, I know they put work into the field (shelter and fencing) but I also know they've had free pasture for 18 months in return, and I think it's become a picnic spot for them all.

AIBU? And should I be growing a backbone, because I'm already trying to think of a way to section off some of it, which I know would only end up delaying the inevitable? I'm also worried because I'm in no way insured to have this all going on on my property.

I want nice things for the people who have done good, but at the same time I want to enjoy my home. I also have PND and desperately want to be outside but can't cope with being around people. Just to throw that in there.

It's standard' isn't it, that animal charities are much richer than people charities. Extends to rl too. How cheering to know your neighbours are so keen on helping the horses, but not the people.

So sorry about the Other Stuff in your life, Complete. if only there was a place you could go to and get support on an ongoing basis from a group of fabulous knowledgeable people who think you are fantastic...

When it's time, if you want to, you know where to ask!

In the meantime, a letter from your solicitor which uses much of steppemum's poster and shortens the notice to a month and warns that any harassment will lead to notice being shortened to a week is now due!

I think the correct response to any questions or comments from the village is to say 'I'm just so grateful that we were in a position to help out for so long, I really wish them luck.'

Steppe that is very tempting :)

I will talk to all the neighbours and explain our dilemma when I get a chance.

Genuine horsey people tend to be remarkably pragmatic. I just seem to be missing something. They came to the rescue of a horse in need, the owners finally moved on and gifted said horse to the rescuers. In the mean time they had bought themselves a horse.

They now own two horses, neither of which are neglected or in need. As horse owners they wish to find free livery for their responsibilities.

I would never buy an animal that I couldn't afford to feed and care for, for its entire lifespan.

I'm seeing my solicitor about something else tomorrow, but if I get a chance I'll sound her out on this as well.

Beryl, that's a great response

Blimey what a nerve! Anyway, chat to your nice neighbour, repeat Beryl's response to all, and absolutely talk to your solicitor!

They are trying to get someone else to do it for free. Ignore them. Try not to take it personally but it should strengthen your resolve to get them out. The previous owner of your house should be ashamed of himself.

And no loose dogs, use of drive and water for free- really most horse owners I know would have sorted it by now. I should imagine they are well known for this type of thing.

love your response Beryl!

'Homeless'?! OP, I hope you are soon rid of these unbelievable piss-takers.

where have they posted this 'homeless' request?

Ok. Im a horse owner and I think you are being totally reasonable.
Personally, if I was the owners, I would put the stallion to sleep. 30 is a damned good age, and its going to be hard to find somewhere. I wouldn't hold it against you either. It's the sensible option.
Something else I'd suggest is that I wouldn't walk your dog and your baby in the field with these horses. I've seen generally lovely horses turn on dogs in an instant, and ill not be taking my own baby into the paddock with my own animals. This is an unbroken stallion, and you don't know what it could do. Mine are lovely small children's ponies, but I still got a kick in the leg the other day when I walked through the field when they were loose. They were expecting food and had a bit of a hooley when they didn't get any.
Be careful. x

I have a very elderly horse and I pay rent for a field and stabling and keep myself and my horse on a low profile, happily moving him about to suit the needs of the landowner. It has never crossed my mind to just take over one of the many fields around us and emotionally blackmail any of the owners into letting me stay for free. Two reasons for that really, firstly I'm not an asshole and secondly all my local landowners are farmers. Their land is their business and it would not cost them a second thought to take the necessary action to evict me and my horse.

Your resident "do gooders" have seen you as a soft touch OP. They are abusing your good nature and they have form for it having abused the trust of the previous owners (who it seems were in no position to stand up to their bullying).

Homeless my arse.

Photograph them on your land with the horses so you have proof of their involvement, in case they try to abandon one or both (I would let them see you doing it too). Involve your solicitor and inform them that they are leaving, in writing. Do not allow any room for manoeuvring as these are black belt piss takers. There is not a single horse owner on this planet who does not expect to have to provide somewhere for their horse to live, either by buying land themselves or by renting space off someone else.

For them to pretend otherwise is not naive it is entirely disingenuous.

It is such a relief to have horse owners replying.

It's been posted on a social networking site. I don't know if they've put it anywhere else. I'll just have a quick google...

Even a search for "horse" and the area brings up nothing. Not even their post

And I believe that passports are supposed to be kept with the horses, I don't have them.

While you are googling, I would look up some local stables and print out a list of their numbers. I would laminate it and attach it securely to their shed. In their shed they would find everything they had previously declared they were storing in your shed.
They would also sadly find that their ability to park on your property was somewhat hindered.

On the day after they are supposed to have left I would arrange for someone to come and plough the field. If necessary get some electric fencing and, if they have not moved, fence off the corner of the field nearest their shed (with their horses in it) and plough the rest.

It may sound aggressive but FFS they came to your door and shouted in your husbands face because you declined to continue bankrolling their hobby! These are not reasonable, nice people OP they are freeloading parasites who think they can boss you around.

Auditor that is a good idea. I'll google now.

There is a corner fenced off so I could put them in there. They'd have to be tied up (it's at the entrance. But I'm happy to fill a hay net and water them for the day. There is then no where for them to go back to.

I will of course warn them that this is happening, because I am still reasonable. It's then their decision.

ah now, if there is already a corner fenced off may I suggest you ask/tell them to keep the horses only in that corner until they leave so that your kids and dog can access the rest of the field or you can start remedial work on it. Start to make changes now, start to reduce the facilities they have, turn off the water, say there is a leak, that way they have to transport water, stop the parking, say it is inconvenient for you, stop the dogs being there, tell them you don't want strange dogs around your puppy and children. Move their stuff out of your shed as said above because you need to use the shed. If you start to make it difficult they will be more inclined to find somewhere else quickly.

Even a search for "horse" and the area brings up nothing. Not even their post.

That's probably because you tried "horse" rather than "magnificent stallion" or "equine legend." Don't forget to add the search terms: "incomers," "local," and "homeless"!

In a way, I really hope they go to the local paper with this, since you'd have a chance to put your side publicly, and there's nothing local papers love more than a genuine story, as opposed to cheque presentations and gardening newszzzzzz oh! Did I just nod off there? Sorry!

If they are visiting without your knowledge then you could communicate with them via notices on the shed door. You could start by putting up the new rules? Suggestions:

1. No parking on my land - see layby for parking.
2. Water meter bill for last 3 months is £x - to be paid by ... 1 week or water supply cut off as of that day.
3. NO DOGS on my land
4. list of people accessing my land required
5. Horses need to be fenced off by secure electric fencing by 1 week's time - or eviction will be brought forwards to 1 week after that. etc I am sure between us we can think of some more.

Plus you could have a signing in book for access to your land so you actually know who's coming and going? And start taking car reg numbers now just so you have an idea of the number of people involved.

I hope all this doesn't aggravate your PND. Getting out in the garden sounds a good idea. And when all this is sorted your life will be super. What a marvellous set of changes you've made.

Could you either:

1. temporarily park your car in such a way that no other car can park, so park at the end of the drive instead of near the house.

or

1. put a large stone or 3 across the drive so no-one can park there?

move stuff out of shed and lock it. When asked say innocently, Oh, but we needed the space, it is full of our stuff out of storage!

And print off nice laminated sign form internet saying
NO DOGS PLEASE - SMALL CHILDREN LIVE HERE

Right. Ive had a good read and come to some conclusions. Ill summarise:
These people took on the care of a horse owned by the previous house owners, who abandoned it. Paid for new fencing and a field shelter out of their own funds. Found it a companion, have fed it, 'clothed it' and paid for it for 18 months. In fencing and providing the shelter, they very probably raised the value of someone elses land.
This isn't unreasonable. Its cost them a lot of money, probably shared several ways by the sound of the number of people involved. fencing is expensive, and field shelters don't come cheap. Until the point where the horse was gifted to them, THEY weren't getting anything for free. They were subsidising the actual owner of the horse who dumped it and should, responsibly, have put the elderly horse to sleep at the time they could no longer care for it.
When the previous owner gifted the horse to them and sold the property, he told them they could stay and told you that they were staying. He was being unreasonable.
You agreed that they could have a few months, which was very nice of you, you were not being unreasonable.
There has been a lack of communication all round. It would have been a good idea, at the start for everyone to get together and thrash out the finer details of the situation. You needed to find out what was involved before you agreed to anything, and they should have come to you and double checked that things could still continue exactly as they were. They may have been rent free, but they should have offered you money and you could have asked for it. Silly, but not unreasonable on anyones part. Everyone just took stuff for granted.
You have served them notice, and they are looking for something. They may well be not using the internet. A lot of my horsey circle are older and not overly computer literate. Tack shops, feed merchants and local equestrian papers are much more use. FB though is a stong tool in networking though, especially in rescue type situations, which is what this basically is. How they word their advert really isn't relevant.
So still not unreasonable.
Sadly, one of the rescuers is upset. Unreasonable, but sadly normal in terms of animal lovers. Her friend seems very reasonable and shows no sign to date of not being on your side.
What would be unreasonable, would be to turn off the water supply, leave them tied up in a small area, open the gates or have any animal shot. Especially before the agreed notice period has passed.
Particularly opening gates. If through this action, anyone was injured, or accident caused, YWBVU and possibly liable for prosecution.
Im not suggesting that you would do any of the above, but all have been suggested here.

Here is what I suggest, (and I know you want your land back.)

Contact the reasonable tenant. Ask for a meeting of EVERYONE involved.
Clarify EVERYTHING.
Stay firm, but stay reasonable. Here are some bullet points.
1/ confirm the date they MUST be off.
2/ it is no longer acceptable to park on your property. There is a layby which is fine to use. NO CARS ON YOUR PROPERTY.
3/ Unless there is access to the paddock at some other point, In which case this MUST be used rather than access via your property, access is strictly from the front entrance to the paddock, with no other use of your drive or garden acceptable.
4/ You have an unvaccinated puppy, NO DOGS allowed on the property.
5/ You will be requiring the return of your shed space with IMMEDIATE EFFECT.
6/ You wish to use some of your property. The horses are to be contained on half of the property, behind a temporary fence in order to ensure the safety of yourself, your DCs and your dog.
7/ the property MUST be vacated by X date, (The day notice expires)
Failure to vacate will then lead to the animals being tied up in the small enclosure by the gate, and the rest of the field being ploughed up prior to reseeding. Water will be disconnected.
Make these points clear, and provide written details to everyone.

All of these points are entirely reasonable and within your rights and should help you feel less imposed upon. They do not affect the welfare of the horse in any way until the notice period is over, in which case, the owners are then being unreasonable.

This is a shit situation for you, and Im sorry you are In it. I hope this helps.

Thanks everyone :)

Saggy, firstly rest assured that I would never just open the gates. I'm a country lass, and would never endanger animals or people like that. If it did come to having to PTS, it would be a vet doing it in the kindest possible way.

I like all the points made. I was hoping the initial upset would have been followed up by contacting me once it had all calmed down, I've been disappointed that instead they've changed the time they feed the horses in an attempt to avoid us.

Renter I did snigger at "magnificent stallion" you're quite right, I'm using the wrong keywords.

They haven't added value to the land. The fence hasn't been redone in more than 10 years, but holes have been filled. The shelter was built from donations. The ground their on has worsened significantly in the past few years and is currently overgrazed. I accept it was probably under grazed before the 2nd horse came along. The whole area needs reseeding.

actually I agree with a lot of what saggy says.

While I think you should have your land back and should not worry about taking a firm hand, I don't think they are deliberately taking the p**
I think they did a good deed at their expense which has now got out of hand.

A meeting would clear the air, and make everyone's position clear.

BUT you must have someone with you who is OK to stand firm on your behalf if you don't think you could.

(I'll come and be nice but immoveable if you live in Glos/ Wilts)

Aw steppe :) that's very nice but you are far, far away!

I really hope they are genuinely nice people who are being overly emotive, that would make this all a lot easier. If nothing else I think I doubt their organisational skills and I think their fallback is to rely on me not wanting to see the horse PTS.

You didn't leave the gate open did you ... www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-25741103 (although not nice for those involved)