Threat of Invasion - what to do??

I'd fence it as you said, with the posts and elec wire/rope, put a locked gate on so that it can be used when you need it, then get some big bales stacked right behind the gate and any places you could lead a horse through, so that even if the break the gate they can't get in.

If that doesn't work, then I would plough..
 
What a worry for you, best of luck. I think unfenced would be best, can you get someone to come and dig a ditch? We have had the hare coursers in and ploughed a field strip for a temporary solution, then we got a man with a digger to dig a trench.
 
Worth calling the police straight away if they come again. Registering and tresspassing will have little effect. Did you get number plate?
If they touch fence when you have it up phone police, say that you are scared in the field as a lone female with men behaving erratically... They will come out faster. Although they can't do much, their prescence will help you. Our local police are good at 'friendly' chats if they bother coming down.
 
tuonodeb said:
9 Gypsy foals just appeared in a field near Epworth, fence was "reversed into last week and not rpaired. Probably same people.
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Could well be. Hopefully the fact we had a 'polite' chat - and the field is overlooked by lots of houses could mean that there are easier pickings elsewhere.....
 
Notice on gate: "Quarantined by Order of DEFRA. Enquirers please contact Animal Health. Subject to the Animal Disease Contol Order 2359/AB/2003".

Order doesn't exist, but it sounds as if it might! If they phone DEFRA, they won't have a clue one way or the other anyway.
 
Dry Rot said:
Notice on gate: "Quarantined by Order of DEFRA. Enquirers please contact Animal Health. Subject to the Animal Disease Contol Order 2359/AB/2003".

Order doesn't exist, but it sounds as if it might! If they phone DEFRA, they won't have a clue one way or the other anyway.
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That made me laugh! The bit about DEFRA not knowing about the order, so true.
 
OH suggested do you have a local Farmwatch group? We do and they are very good, they are run by the police. We get emails about local happenings and suspicious vehicles which is always handy.
 
Not sure about Farmwatch - will ask at Agricultural store tomorrow. There is a Horsewatch in the area and you have just reminded me that they are a 'friend' on facebook - I will message them now.
 
I'd go with the ditch idea, quicker & cheaper than fencing. And the soil piled up on the inside, so they can't fill it in again easily.
 
My goodness you learn something new every day!!! Do people actually do this, just take land??!?!?! I have to say my OH would be another to shoot tyres out if anyone tried that here,I have never heard of it though, I can't believe people are so cheeky! :(:(
 
I'm presuming your access is from your house, not from where they drove in? In which case, I'd simply plough or better dig a ditch along the road boundary from inside, meaning they can't cross it with a vehicle, meaning they can't leave hay as they claimed they were going to do, as well as fencing it off as you describe.
 
We had a similar invasion but only 1 pony. There was no boundary fence and it just appeared one day, tethered.

We phoned the police who duly arrived and said they couldn't (read as wouldn't) do anything.

2 men came every morning to change where it was tethered and give it water, so it wasn't a neglect case.

The pony stayed for 2 weeks until we happened to mention to a friend about it and they were friends with someone high up in the 'Community'.

The pony was moved immediately!
 
Definately go with the ditch idea, so long as it doesn't affect your access. My YO has done this, the yard has a main (ish) road along one side. She had a big ditch dug all along that side, in between the road and the fence line, so no one can get a vehicle from the road into the field.
 
marychristmas said:
We dont see much of this around here that im aware of, why dont the police do something ? If someone uses intimidation and threats of violence im pretty sure thats a police matter.
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But if they don't use threats, then it isn't a police matter! Clearly, if the field wasn't fenced, then there has been no criminal damage or no breaking and entering, so then it is trespassing,
which is a civil matter!
 
KidnapMoss said:
My goodness you learn something new every day!!! Do people actually do this, just take land??!?!?! I have to say my OH would be another to shoot tyres out if anyone tried that here,I have never heard of it though, I can't believe people are so cheeky! :(:(
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Yes this is quite common practice along with the rapid rise in theft in the area when they move in. The police are usually scared to interfere. I do hope all those on this forum that are quick to pounce on the prejudice path read this thread and get a tiny taste of the fear and disruption these people bring to ordinary hard working folk. It never seems to happen on the doorteps of the so righteous or the law making politicians sadly.
 
I'd find a local farmer to put some sheep on it - don't damage the ground like horses do, they will fence too. Then I would block the access with something like eurobale straw or a concrete block - I am sure a farmer would help with this in return for the grazing, That's what happens around my way.
 
Ditch round outside and block access or plough it. They won't be stopped by your other ideas I'm afraid. I'd be keeping my horses locked in under CCTV as well. Hard to get rid once they are on.
 
tuonodeb said:
9 Gypsy foals just appeared in a field near Epworth, fence was "reversed into last week and not rpaired. Probably same people.
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Community Police Officers looking at the repaired fence (done by the owners of foals) this morning, though I think they will be on the field till the grass has gone or the day before any court order comes into force.
 
Well, after much debating, some discussions with other landowners in the area, and considering the posts on here we made the decision to plough.

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Bye bye hay field :( I loved you but it really isn't worth the hassle :(

I am sad and angry that the threatened actions of this person and his accompanying reputation can have such an impact on people like us who abide by the law and work hard for what we've got.

Horses are in the stable next to the house for the next couple of days so I can keep an eye on them. My friendly local farmer doesn't think he'll bother with reprisals but I feel happier with the horses closer to me at the moment.
 
As far as i can see these people do not have permission to put any stock on the land and they simply aim to squatt their horses on the land.This to my mind is illegal and they have no rights whatsover.The pol,ice should be doing more to support you and the owner from these nightmare people.
 
Such a shame to lose a useful field. Are you just going to do a strip round the outside or the whole lot?
They really must have a terrible local reputation to go for such a perminant and drastic step.
 
We have ploughed the whole field but left a strip around the edge about 6ft wide so I can at least do my fittening work on Baz when it dries a little.

Gutted.
 
Cazzah said:
We have ploughed the whole field but left a strip around the edge about 6ft wide so I can at least do my fittening work on Baz when it dries a little.

Gutted.
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It completely sucks that you've had to do this: sadly, the law being as ineffective as it currently is, I think you have made the right decision - the chances are that the money you will have to spend in buying in hay will be less that the cost of any legal action that you might otherwise have had to take!
 
I think you took the right decision. You can put it back to grass in the spring and get a very good hay crop from the new grass. You have shown him you are willing to take extreme action, hopefully he won't be back.

It is shocking you have had to do this however.
 
He has now moved his horses to a field about 1/2 mile away. Feel so sorry for the landowner - its about 8 acres and I doubt he'll be keen to move them on very quickly :(
 
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