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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:
CompletePushover · 10/01/2014 21:10

Do you know what less? There's a flipping layby 50 yards away where they could park Angry I am such a doormat!

OP posts:
LessMissAbs · 10/01/2014 21:10

And how many of them are there?

NigellasDealer · 10/01/2014 21:11

CP I could tell you a sorry tale of how some new landowners round here got rid of their sitting tenant and her animals, it really wasn't nice, and your people are not even sitting tenants, they are piss taking trespassers.
i will not tell you the story here......suffice to say the boot is on your foot!
get yourself a blunderbuss or fowling piece.

CompletePushover · 10/01/2014 21:13

Less, I'm suffering from severe PND at the moment and am struggling to even leave the house, let alone confront anyone. Understanding-lady came to the door and asked direct questions and was lovely.

OP posts:
CompletePushover · 10/01/2014 21:13

2 of them

OP posts:
CompletePushover · 10/01/2014 21:15

Nigella, I may be soft and lovely but I'm a crack shot with a 12 ball :)

I couldn't do it though. The animals have done nothing wrong, they've just been let down by their old owners.

OP posts:
NigellasDealer · 10/01/2014 21:20

haha you are funny CP sorry to hear you are suffering with PND, you really do not need this added stress.
i wonder if your postcode starts with an S?

CompletePushover · 10/01/2014 21:24

Nigella, I really really don't :( it's made a bad day a hell of a lot worse.

Have pm'd you Wink

OP posts:
InTheRedCorner · 10/01/2014 21:29

I think you have been very kind and patient and you also have lovely plans for you home and field that will possible help relieve some symptoms of your pnd.

I want to see puppy photos

CompletePushover · 10/01/2014 21:31

:) I think they will too.

I would but it's so recognisable I'd be instantly outed

OP posts:
trixymalixy · 10/01/2014 21:36

I'd like to say to you to tell them to park in the lay by until their time's up, but I know you won't and I'd be too much of a pushover to do that too Grin.

Pixel · 10/01/2014 21:39

Our first pony lived until 35, the next was 31. Our 30 year old is still going strong, so Complete could have a long wait for the stallion to peg out!

UncleT · 10/01/2014 21:41

Seriously, please stop giving yourself a hard time with all this self-deprecation. You are not responsible for the situation and are merely trying to find a reasonable solution to allow you to enjoy your own property. Ease up.

The thing that astonishes me is the extent of the piss taking, both from the vendor and the horse people. As for their family and God knows who else using you land as their own summer playground, don't dread it - prevent it. Try the reasonable route but plan for playing hardball if required. The more you plan and seek advice, the less intimidating getting tough will seem.

CompletePushover · 10/01/2014 21:43

Trix if they do become arsey then I'll have no choice, I'm not having someone actively treating me like shit and blocking me in every day. I'll have to grow a backbone then.

Pixel, I think this one has the glint of longevity about him. Added to the fact that the ages I've been given for him vary from 22 to 35 Hmm so he could be around another 20 years

OP posts:
UncleT · 10/01/2014 21:45

That sounds more like it, OP.

CompletePushover · 10/01/2014 21:46

UncleT, that is excellent and practical advice. I will be practicing my, "can I help you? Oh no, we're not insured to have you here, please leave" speech.

I am planning on putting in new fencing and making a new parking bit in the garden, which should put off parking. I really don't want to be one of those people with a "private parking only" sign up.

OP posts:
Sharaluck · 10/01/2014 21:54

I'm a bit confused.

I think they definitely should take their own horse. As soon as possible. No question about that.

But why should they take the stallion? It isn't theirs and why do you think try will take in the cost and responsibility if rehousing it?

Sorry if i am missing something, but I'm sorry to say it looks like the stallion is yours.

LessMissAbs · 10/01/2014 21:54

Sounds like the sort of thing that sometimes does happen in rural areas. I've met the kicking off type of horse person and its not someone I'd choose to be around. They can be odd...

Still, at least you now have a property with land to cheer you up!

UncleT · 10/01/2014 21:55

It's often the most successful strategy. Try/hope for peace, plan for war. You don't have to make insurance excuses or anything else. There's only one justification or explanation required here - this is our land. We bought it.

Sharaluck · 10/01/2014 21:55

I don't think you can wash your hands of the stallion. You should have sorted that issue out with the previous owner before you bought.

Sharaluck · 10/01/2014 21:57

So it might be up to you to send it to the glue factory. Grown up responsibility and all Confused

Blatherskite · 10/01/2014 22:01

Sharaluck, it says in the op - "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)"

The stallion is not the Ops

Sharaluck · 10/01/2014 22:06

Well I've never bought a house but if I was going to and the owner said that, I would make sure the horse was gone BEFORE I went ahead and bought it. Sound like op was being an ostrich and very foolish to not have sort it out before buying.

I don't think op can wash her hands of it. The actual owners are long gone. I don't think op can or should expect the current horse carers to take on the cost/responsibility. Poor stallion :(

CarriesPawnShop · 10/01/2014 22:08

Does your driveway have a gate? Can you get one and lock it?
Same for your shed.

And do you have a solicitor that will draft a do fuck off letter "as agreed you will fuck off vacate with your trespassing big cars, dogs and horses by 1 March or else"

Sharaluck · 10/01/2014 22:09

And I don't see the current horse carer accepting the previous owners 'gift'. If that's what you mean. Gifts can be returned, especially if they come with many strings attached. The stallion's home is the op's field and I think op will have to sort this out herself.

If it turns out that she doesn't, then she should consider herself very lucky.