New neighbors

[GingerPCatt]

We've just moved and our garden backs on to a field. There are a lot if horses out there in the afternoon. I don't hAve any experience with horses. They seem friendly and come up to the fence when we're out there.
We need to put up a new fence. What would look nice and be horse proof. Also when planting, what trees/flowers should we avoid? I'd hate for them to nibble anything nasty.

If only all pony neighbours were like you! Can you chat to the owners?

What nice neighbours you are. Post and rail fencing looks nice and is very traditional around padocks. Plant wise, avoid laburnam and yew as they are poisonous to horses (a fair number of yellow flowers are poisonous to horses). Also pull up any ragwort if it grows. You may well get the horsey bug

It doesn't have to be tasty for them to nibble it! If you put up a wooden fence they may well eat that.. The best thing is try and get hold of the owners and discuss it with them.

We had to put up a mains electric fence on our side of our neighbours hedge to stop the horses pruning it for them - the previous ones were happy but the new ones were not, unfortunately! Horses have quite a long reach too. It may be best if you don't lean over and chat to the horses as it may encourage them to hang around your fence.......

How lovely for you to think of the horses. We have had several fields backing on to houses and the neighbours have been awful, taking down fencing to make their gardens bigger, dumping rubbish over etc.
Can I also please ask that you don't put your grass clippings over the fence or at the end of your garden so that the horses can get at them? We've had people do this either because they want to keep their gardens tidy or because they think they are being kind feeding the horses a treat, but I've had to explain to them that this can kill.
Thanks very much .

I like horses from a distance. Up close they scare me a bit since they're so big. My grandparents had horses when my mom was young.
Good to know what to avoid. I had no idea about grass clippings. We've just moved in so I'm not sure where exactly the horses have come from, but I'll have an explore to find out.

I second post and rail if you can afford it.
Also, to follow on from Pixels post, nomatter how tempting it is, dont feed them over the fence. It encourages them to bite and fight with each other, could make them ill, and you may well teach them that 'treats come from over that bit of fence, and maybe if we are on the other side of it, we can find more'!

Awww how lovely of you to be so considerate!

I'll back the post & rail fencing. It will make your garden look bigger too.