UnaB
Well-Known Member
Hi all,
I rent three paddocks (totalling about 4 acres or so) for my two horses from a local farm. I have rented these for about ten years and have a great relationship with the landowner, I even house sit for them. I rotate the fields through the year as the horses are out year round so do a few weeks in one them move into another etc etc.
About 2 months ago I got to my fields to find two small tents (later found out they were hides) in my "spare" field and two unfamiliar cars blocking the gateway to the fields. Went over to field owner to find out what was going on and he came and had a look. Said they were shooting hides and he had given permission for someone to shoot on the land and woods behind my fields. I said that clearly they were shooting IN my fields (they are next to each other so they were shooting feet from my horses) and I didn't want it to continue as they could shoot or scare my horses and I was planning to break my youngster in and didn't want her stressed.
Long story short, whilst I rarely actually see the shooters there since I have on a couple of occasions told them off for continuing to shoot in my fields, I know they are still shooting either in the daytime when I am at work or overnight.
Last week I found paper targets on the fence posts of the field my youngster was in 😮 and when I came back from a hack yesterday they were led in her field shooting at targets on the trees. I told them to get out of her field and DO NOT shoot in there and they soon packed up and disappeared. I am getting thoroughly annoyed though. A couple of weeks ago my mare was lame for a couple of days and I am sure it was either due to them hitting her (I couldn't see any blood but not sure a little pellet would show up) or scaring her into falling. She has NEVER had a day lame since she was born before.
I have phoned the field owner and said that I want the shooting to stop and explained my concerns. This was last Friday and obviously nothing has happened as they were there yesterday.
I love my fields and have been very happy there but I am now considering moving to livery yard due to this as it's putting my horses at risk. I have already moved my gelding away as he is elderly and has an injured leg already. I really don't want to leave and it would be a stretch financially but I am at a loss.
I know I don't own the fields, but do I have the right to insist they not shoot in them due to the fact that I rent them? I'm not sure where I stand with it and clearly the shooters are not respecting my wishes either way... I appreciate that shooting land is hard to find but I feel I am not being unreasonable in asking them to stay well away from my rented fields?
I rent three paddocks (totalling about 4 acres or so) for my two horses from a local farm. I have rented these for about ten years and have a great relationship with the landowner, I even house sit for them. I rotate the fields through the year as the horses are out year round so do a few weeks in one them move into another etc etc.
About 2 months ago I got to my fields to find two small tents (later found out they were hides) in my "spare" field and two unfamiliar cars blocking the gateway to the fields. Went over to field owner to find out what was going on and he came and had a look. Said they were shooting hides and he had given permission for someone to shoot on the land and woods behind my fields. I said that clearly they were shooting IN my fields (they are next to each other so they were shooting feet from my horses) and I didn't want it to continue as they could shoot or scare my horses and I was planning to break my youngster in and didn't want her stressed.
Long story short, whilst I rarely actually see the shooters there since I have on a couple of occasions told them off for continuing to shoot in my fields, I know they are still shooting either in the daytime when I am at work or overnight.
Last week I found paper targets on the fence posts of the field my youngster was in 😮 and when I came back from a hack yesterday they were led in her field shooting at targets on the trees. I told them to get out of her field and DO NOT shoot in there and they soon packed up and disappeared. I am getting thoroughly annoyed though. A couple of weeks ago my mare was lame for a couple of days and I am sure it was either due to them hitting her (I couldn't see any blood but not sure a little pellet would show up) or scaring her into falling. She has NEVER had a day lame since she was born before.
I have phoned the field owner and said that I want the shooting to stop and explained my concerns. This was last Friday and obviously nothing has happened as they were there yesterday.
I love my fields and have been very happy there but I am now considering moving to livery yard due to this as it's putting my horses at risk. I have already moved my gelding away as he is elderly and has an injured leg already. I really don't want to leave and it would be a stretch financially but I am at a loss.
I know I don't own the fields, but do I have the right to insist they not shoot in them due to the fact that I rent them? I'm not sure where I stand with it and clearly the shooters are not respecting my wishes either way... I appreciate that shooting land is hard to find but I feel I am not being unreasonable in asking them to stay well away from my rented fields?
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