Boundary issue.

[Burma177]

One thing that I forgot to mention is that the neighbour in question laid an electric wire along the top of our fence, presumably to stop any of our horses leaning over and this has been in place for many years. However as soon as the laurel hedge was installed, the electric fence was turned off. I find the reasoning behind this very strange, other than maybe to cause a confrontation, as this is the type of person that he is.

 

[AmyMay]

I would get some legal advice over the amount being claimed (which is obviously excessive.

Unfortunately boundary issues can soon cause huge problems between ‘waring’ neighbours, soon running costs up.

 

[paddy555]

One thing that I forgot to mention is that the neighbour in question laid an electric wire along the top of our fence, presumably to stop any of our horses leaning over and this has been in place for many years. However as soon as the laurel hedge was installed, the electric fence was turned off. I find the reasoning behind this very strange, other than maybe to cause a confrontation, as this is the type of person that he is.

you have a miserable neighbour. I know the feeling, in retaliation my neighbour threatened to light fireworks over my fields last week deliberately to frighten my horses. I am afraid sh1t happens with neighbours.

I don't see the reasoning behind the electric fence matters. Simply he planted a hedge as he is entitled to do which at this stage has presumably not damaged your fencing. Your horse leant over and eat some of it.

I would measure the length of fence/hedge that has caused the problem ie the length of the laurel hedge assuming the horse knibbled all of it or just the length it did eat. Then I would find out what sort of plants they were and look up the cost online from a laurel nursery. Look at the distance between the plants and work out the cost of replacing that section.
That will give you some idea of the compensation .

I would also check your house insurance and see if you are covered for legal advice and if so, when you have an idea of the cost of the damage, ring them for advice.

I have found out it is pointless trying to understand the reasoning behind miserable neighbours. Some people are just like that and pick up on the slightest thing to make a drama out of it. .

 

[windand rain]

laurel is toxic so would fence my horses away from it completely it will grow if the horse has pinched a bit but would be more concerned about the horse to be honest