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Post by nervouswreck on Dec 22, 2006 18:19:26 GMT 1
This morning I went up as usual and let all 7 horses out. They have a stretch of 3 fields and we don't always check that they are ok (stupid I know). I started mucking out and unbeknown to me the gate to one of the fields was open. Someone had taken the pin out of the gate and put it on top of the gate post. The horses were just walking into this field when the owners mum was driving past to go to work and realised that the gate was open and reversed and sorted it out. From now on I will always check gates daily. The thought just doesn't bare/bear thinking about. I can not believe that someone would be so spiteful. If they can do that then it wouldn't stop them from letting them out of the stables. There is no way that this was an accident, the pin wouldn't have jumped up onto the gatepost.
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Post by Ryan&Dizzy on Dec 22, 2006 18:31:13 GMT 1
was it a gate the other end of the field that led out of the property?
is there not a chance that the pin had come out and somebody had seen it and picked it up off the floor and put it on top?
glad there was no harm done! im always really cautious about our unused gate...it leads out onto the road and although its padlocked i always get scared!
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Post by nervouswreck on Dec 22, 2006 18:34:08 GMT 1
It leads out onto the main road. Everyone round here knows that horses are kept in the field. They were brought in when it was dark last night and let out again when it was darkish this morning because I was up early. Can't really see anyone walking up there last thing at night as it leads to the motorway. There are no houses up there only a large barn and stables.
edited to say - I know I shouldn't jump to conclusions but it seems very suss to me.
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Post by wildrover on Dec 22, 2006 18:46:16 GMT 1
Well .. pins dont usually jump up onto gate posts thats true. However, I'm thinking you are jumping to conclusions here ... dont really know any more than what you post but ........if someone were to do it deliberate why would the put the pin on the gatepost? It more sounds like someone was going thru and forgot to put the pin back ... make someone walking dogs or whatever.
In any event .. maybe you need to put a chain on or something that makes it less easy for the gate to be undone .. deliberately or accidentally ....
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Post by kya on Dec 22, 2006 18:54:01 GMT 1
I must say I have a strand of wire over the gateways on the roadside together with a shut gate. Too easy for mistakes and two lines of defence is better than one.
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Post by nervouswreck on Dec 22, 2006 19:02:21 GMT 1
Wildrover there's only us that use the field and no public footpath going through it. The fell is the place that folk seem to walk their dogs and thats only across the road and down a bit.
I'm trying not to jump to conclusions but finding it very hard.
The gate will be getting padlocked from now on.
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Post by wildrover on Dec 22, 2006 21:07:58 GMT 1
nervous .... the fact there is no public footpath does not mean the public dont go that way. The fact that the pin was on top of the post leads me to think someone may have intended to put it back. If it was deliberate I rather suspect the pin would have been thrown on the ground or in a ditch etc ...
Any gate holding horses which leads onto a road should have some form of secondary security.
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Post by nervouswreck on Dec 22, 2006 21:58:29 GMT 1
You're dead right about the security. Feel stupid for not checking. Its one thing I will never do again.
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Post by wildrover on Dec 22, 2006 22:47:51 GMT 1
In which case maybe someone has done you a favour .... the realisation and additional security may now prevent an accident that might have been waiting to happen ...
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tl
Grand Prix Poster
Posts: 2,680
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Post by tl on Dec 22, 2006 23:04:14 GMT 1
nw, Turn the top pin over and burr the edges so that the gate cannot be lifted off. Then go for the padlock. I share your views. A bit suspect.
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Post by nervouswreck on Dec 23, 2006 11:46:05 GMT 1
Had to add on to the thread and say that the gate had actually been pushed wide open and it won't go that far even with wind. We haven't even had any wind for a few days now.
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Post by nervouswreck on Dec 28, 2006 10:27:17 GMT 1
Wildrover - Don't think I was jumping to conclusions. 2 nights ago someone went into the building and let the foals and 2 mares into the hay section. Theres no way they could open up the 2 gates to get through. Last night one gate in the building was pulled shut and by morning it was open. Its such a worry and makes you wonder how far they are going to go.
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Post by katrina on Dec 28, 2006 15:31:57 GMT 1
Chain and padlock both sides of the gate, for extra security. Have you spoken to the police? Might be worth speaking to your community officer and voicing your fears.
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Post by flick on Dec 28, 2006 15:41:48 GMT 1
Sounds like a chat with the police would certainly be sensible NW, you may have been jumping to conclusions if nothing else had happened but now I think you have just cause to be more wary. Also get in touch with your local Horsewatch people they may have some info and if not can still put the word out to others around you to step up vigilance in your area.
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Post by nervouswreck on Dec 28, 2006 17:34:16 GMT 1
The police have been informed now. They will patrol the area and know what vehicles we all drive. Fingers crossed that they get someone. Its like mind games as well. Makes you think hard about whether you did your final checks correct. I always double check what I have shut.
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