We used to have these kids who lived a little ways down the street from us. They would often see my dad and I riding the horses up and down the street and sometimes my dad would get off his horse and let them pet him. However, it began getting to the point where the two kids would come over while I was riding in the arena and walk right out to the center! The girl was maybe about seven or eight. Several times I would ask them to please go on the other side of the fence so they wouldn't get hurt and they would, but the girl would conitnue and continue to ask if she could ride my horse when I was done. First of all, her mom was never around with them and I certainly wasn't going to let a young child ride my horse without permission. When I explained this to her, she would just keep asking and complaining. THEN, one day I caught them and another little boy in the fields trying to pet the horses by my barn! I couldn't believe that! These were small children in a field with unpredictable horses and a dog that is protective of his "flock". I yelled at them and they ran off. I told my dad to talk to the parents, and it actually happened a few times after, but they eventually moved away.
When we first fenced in our upper field, this next door neighbor thought it would be ok to toss her moldy Holloween straw bales to the horses. She also through over moldy tomatoes. Luckily the horses were smart enough not to eat this, but I know some that would! It could have made them very sick. My dad was furious! He went right over and spoke with the neighbor. He didn't yell or anything, but the lady just had no idea. It WAS rude of her, but she did end up sending a card in the mail saying how sorry she was. It was just ignorance on her part, but it could have ended in tragedy!
I would just let them know politely that it would be best for them to call before they came over. You could also offer to hold the chickens to let the children pet them, but only if they let you know ahead of time!
When we first fenced in our upper field, this next door neighbor thought it would be ok to toss her moldy Holloween straw bales to the horses. She also through over moldy tomatoes. Luckily the horses were smart enough not to eat this, but I know some that would! It could have made them very sick. My dad was furious! He went right over and spoke with the neighbor. He didn't yell or anything, but the lady just had no idea. It WAS rude of her, but she did end up sending a card in the mail saying how sorry she was. It was just ignorance on her part, but it could have ended in tragedy!
I would just let them know politely that it would be best for them to call before they came over. You could also offer to hold the chickens to let the children pet them, but only if they let you know ahead of time!
