Help! Advice needed please

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Geegeesarah

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Right here is my problem. I have my own land about 5 acres which I have two small ponies and two rather large horses on. The land is divided up into 3 areas. I give the horses ad lib hay in the evening when they are stuck in the winter field as I call it as it has no grass on it. My problem is that when I am resting my summer fields I have 5 sheep that escape from another field next to mine. The man who owns them has been watching to much river cottage and really has no idea. He has with much persuading put electric fencing up along the bottom of my post and rail fencing but to no avail the sheep are still coming through. My concern is for my horses as I know that horses and sheep can pass worms and the sheep are nicking my grazing (what is left). I have spoken to the bloke numerous times but nothing is being done. What can I do ?? Oh and he is renting the land, I have spoken to the letting agents and they have pointed out fencing the sheep in is his responsibilty Thanks for reading this.
 
Actually mixed grazing can be just great. I'd have no concerns, personally, aside from the fact they're eating your grass.

Why not just put up some sheep fencing?
 
That was what I suggested to him but as he maybe sending them to slaughter he didnt want the exspence (is what I am guessing at). I have issues as he doesnt check them as the horses chased one of the sheep over the wall on to the main road and he didnt even realise that he was missing one (he only had 6 sheep to start off with).
 
I could but feel why should I have to ?? Its also money that I dont have to be paying out for sheep netting for animals that arent mine that are trespassing on my land.They are not my animals and knowing my horses they would stick there feet through and end up ripping their hoof like a previous pony. Just feel like I have got to a stale mate. Also I have a dog that quite would like sheep for tea not sure where I stand should he get hold of it ?
 
Cross grazing between sheep and horses is beneficial when it comes to worms. But I'd be fuming that someone else's livestock was eating the grass I was preserving for my horses so completely understand where you are coming from.

I'd be tempted to tell the letting agents that you will be billing them, or their tenant, x per day that the sheep graze on your land.

if your dog attacked one of the sheep I believe you would still be liable as a sheep doesn't know it is trespassing.
 
Sometimes, though, we have to take action when others wouldn't. And your horses cant get their feet through sheep netting.:)

And it is costing you money all ready - because your grazing is being diminished.
 
Keeping your pasture only for horses will eventually turn your pasture horse sick. Mixed grazing, sheep and horses is beneficial to both the land and the horses.

The worm burden in your field will reduce as the worm eggs, larvae will be destroyed in the gut of the sheep.

Also the rejection facter, which is the toilet areas your horses use will also be grazed by the sheep. Once the sheep have grazed it, the re growth is more palatable to the horses, so having sheep graze can infact increase the amount of palatable grass for your horses.

Obviously you will not want sheep grazing your conservation (hay) fields as this will cost you money.
 
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