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To kick these people out?

999 replies

CompletePushover · 10/01/2014 18:24

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

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.

OP posts:
SaggyOldClothCatPuss · 22/01/2014 09:10

Chris id add in a bit about being incredibly reasonable but needing some boundaries, and that despite your incredibly polite requests, you still don't have use of the shed, and your drive has now become a roundabout!

FuckYouChrisAndThatHorse · 22/01/2014 09:10

Greylady that sounds perfect, could you make the horses jump every time she goes near them please?

FuckYouChrisAndThatHorse · 22/01/2014 09:11

Saggy, I'm hoping we'll have the shed back by Sunday.

I blooming hope so!

Braganza · 22/01/2014 09:13

Not sure if I've missed something, but in the ad are they admitting that they own the stallion having denied it was their responsibility to you?

Iworrymyselftosleep · 22/01/2014 09:15

If it helps in any way - I'm a delurker who really wants these people to get their come uppance sooner rather than later.

Brew and Cake and I know how crap neighbour type issues are - always waiting for their next appearance. You're doing very well not to lose it like I did and scream dementedly at them Blush We fell out over a water tap and suddenly she started an international political incidence level rumpus until I went crazy on her punk ass

FuckYouChrisAndThatHorse · 22/01/2014 09:22

No admission brag, just a "we've rescued this horse so give us some free pasture for it and it's friend"

Iworry, can you come and go crazy for me? I'll provide the cake :)

4horsesforcourses · 22/01/2014 09:41

I think going crazy needs to be upped a little for this level of madness.

Put an effigy of a goat on her car, chalk a huge pentagram round it and stand next to the car screaming her name name over and over whilst dragging a horse on wheels behind you as you trace her name in the dirt, cape billowing out behind you.

I promise she will go.

EauRouge · 22/01/2014 09:46

I just snorted coffee out of my nose at that Grin

Meerka · 22/01/2014 09:51

chris what you wrote looks good. may i suggest one last sentance?

"we bought the house and a big part of it was having the vacant meadow. We have small children and they want to run and play on it safely"

Actually ending on a note about the kids will stick in people's minds and help counteract the 'unkind'thing. Most people can understand wanting being able to let their children play!

Nessalina · 22/01/2014 09:58

Just read the whole thread, and I am SO ANGRY on your behalf chris!
You have been so understanding all the way through and now they are thoroughly taking advantage of your kindness. As others have said, the fact that they are now denying ownership of the stallion makes things easier in a way, because it puts the ball back in your court.
Stick to your guns on dates however much they piss you off, purely because that way you can still firmly on your high horse (!) as you've been fair and clear throughout, and they can't slag you off saying you moved the goal posts.
Two weeks before the notice expires put up the abandonment notice, so they know you mean business. Are they even aware at the moment that you're paying for the water they use for the horse? They may not know that you're metered, so I'd definitely respond on the message board thing with your planned response above, and if you can, make clear how much it is costing YOU to have THEIR horse on YOUR land.
Or maybe you could post a link to this thread on their message board?! Grin

EauRouge · 22/01/2014 10:04

Yes, I do think it's worth mentioning the water as well. It's not just that they are using your land for free, you are paying for them to have water for their horses.

TheWitTank · 22/01/2014 10:07

Agree to adding in I your reply the situation with the water-they haven't been keeping their horse for free, it's been at your expense!

lessemin · 22/01/2014 10:09

mistlethrush omg Me and my dsis watched Miracle of the white stallions years and years ago but we could never remember the name.
I have been trying to find it but could only remember bits of it so thanks for putting that link up you made my day. Smile

RenterNomad · 22/01/2014 10:15

I love your letter (with Meerka's addition about the DC and a safe place for them to play).

Don't hold the MN festival till next year, since (a) the noise and dragons an MNettiness might lose you some local understanding Grin and (b) assassins and saboteurs might use the cover of the wild party, to slip in and plant wild garlic in penis shapes, in your child-friendly meadow... or more serious sabotage...

RoadKillBunny · 22/01/2014 10:38

Thread lurker delurking (because I know you like it Wink )

I will absolutely come to your festival, I shall leave our ponies at home but bring my Brownie pack with me. I could also bring the blind dog (I will leave the cat at home least one of the ponies tries on the disguise) and if I promise to take him home as soon at you make your plaintiff call, I could bring an elderly donkey with an heehaw that sounds like it needs a liberal dose of WD40 and can be heard for over half a mile.

You are so NBU it's almost painful. Not much odder then us horsey folk and there is not much more frightening then folk who see themselves as horse rescue heros.
Your lot should get together with the lot who frequent Beaston horse sales and then the lot of them should be sent to an unpopulated island that has no livestock as this type of person cause far more harm to horses then they could possibly ever do to help.
The best thing for this old boy is to be PTS, the right thing is normally not the easy thing, it is far crueler to keep an animal like this going than it is to give him an end that is pain free and has dignity.
Wishing you well Chris, put yourself and your family first!

FuckYouChrisAndThatHorse · 22/01/2014 10:39

Horses4, I'll get me black lippy out :) I've got some of that mystical fire stuff that changes the colour of the flames, so I'll start a small fire on her bonnet throw that on and start chanting Grin

Ness, I would so love to post this on there. And post there on here. Damnit!

I am probably going to present her with the water bill when it turns up, so I don't want to give the impression that is free!

I'm having second thoughts about the press. I think they'd take the "mean landowner" angle and I'd be loathed :(

TooExtraImmatureCheddar · 22/01/2014 10:41

I suspect that the festival might turn into a really truly MN flash mob when the scrumpy starts flowing. I have visions of MNers with flowers and vipers painted on their faces on their faces, flowy peasant skirts and hippe waistcoats clutching pitchforks and chasing Outrageous Woman orf yer land. Also leading stallion and Extra Pisstaking Horse to freedom of pasture on her front lawn. Then we would form a living barrier around your land and ward off any attempts on their part to get back in.

FuckYouChrisAndThatHorse · 22/01/2014 10:41

Thanks road kill! I do love a delurker :)

Donkeys are more than welcome. Did you catch the story of the lady going round Wales with her donkey last summer? I do like donkeys.

mistlethrush · 22/01/2014 10:42

I'm worried about that too... particularly if they decide to get input from MrsNasty Jodhpurs.

FuckYouChrisAndThatHorse · 22/01/2014 10:42

Cheddar, oh please oh please oh please make that happen!

FuckYouChrisAndThatHorse · 22/01/2014 10:43

Exactly mistle, that's the better story isn't it? Evil me and my evil brood.

EverybodysStressyEyed · 22/01/2014 10:58

It sounds like they took advantage of the vulnerable people in the house before you. They were probably told to move so it could be sold as vacant possession but bullied them so much they didn't enforce.

They don't sound nice at all - especially taking advantage of the vulnerable old folk.

Good luck and I'm glad this thread is lifting your spirits.

ArsePaste · 22/01/2014 10:59

You know ... you could use the local press to help you find a new home for the stallion? If you got to the press first, with a sob story about how the "gift" of a stallion has caused problems for your lovely kiddiwinks, and now he needs a new home because you can't afford to keep him, and he really needs company and a new place to live for his own good might work in your favour ...

midgeymum2 · 22/01/2014 10:59

But you are not evil. You are simply trying to enjoy your land that you paid for. I'm sorry if I have missed earlier on the thread, but have you written to them giving them a date by which they must leave? If so, I would advise that you try to disengage with their nastiness until then. I think that all this posting about you online shows that they are accepting that you want rid and that they have to go. They are not happy but hey (hay!) ho, that's life when you take advantage of others. It sounds like you need to look after yourself and although this is obviously very personal and close to home in every sense if I were you I would try to remember to 'do not engage' with any petty nastiness, it is not good for you. Obviously any nastiness that is more than petty, report to the police. Good luck, I hope you are rid of them soon and can enjoy your land in peace!

FuckYouChrisAndThatHorse · 22/01/2014 11:05

Midgey that's true. If they're stating all of this then at least they are accepting they have to go (and advertising how long they have). I will disengage until the deadline is passed.

Arse, it's certainly an option.

Stressy, I'm glad too. It's been so supportive and lovely.