Posted By The toecap What if the Kiddie cant read? How often does this happen?

Posted By Jim Walker I guess the field owner assumes the uninvited will keep off his property. Have we really reached the stage in this country where we have to assume a high level duty of care for any little oink who fancies wandering around and interfering with others legal activities? As a kid I used to have free rein (excuse the pun) of farmland - I knew livestock could be dangerous and showed respect.

Posted By Linda Westrupp Wouldn't putting up warning signs indicate an invitation to go into the field? Anti climb gates are a better option. I don't agree with a previous poster that electric fencing is only used for horses on top of ranch fencing. Electric fencing is now extensively used for horses and only rarely does one find out how to jump out (probably the same ones who would work out how to jump traditional fencing). My horse has so much respect for it that you could keep her in with a single strand of white string. Back to the kids climbing in, possibly No Trespassing or Trespassers enter at their own risk signs? Or possibly a copy of the countryside code? I agree with a previous post that farmers should not have to be responsible for other people's kids and notices should only be necessary if youngstock are in fields near to public footpaths (I don't think anyone would put youngstock in a field with a public footpath running through it). Interesting question though, how far do we elfin safety people go?!! Linda W

Posted By sagalout There is wealth of info available on measures to keep children safe on farms. Both the HSE and NFU produce guidance. There re two threads regarding children, one deals with controls for children who are there legally, the other for those who are not. Whilst being physically injured by an animal is one risk, it is only one of many serious hazards that exist in agriculture. This is an extract from one section of guidance that gives an idea of what might need to be considered as part off a programme that recognises trespass. Provide suitable, robust and well maintained fences, gates and warning signs to deter access. Clearly sign rights of way where they pass through especially the farmyard. Watch out for children trespassing and tell them to leave. If they will not, stop work and call their parents or the police. Report persistent offenders to their parents (if known) and the police. One final point to make is that it is not only young horses that can be highly strung, even the most docile of horses can be "spooked". we had a case recently where a young girl experienced in handling stock was kicked back across the box when a horse spooked. we think it was because the smith was in the yard and the girl did not make sure the horse knew she was there

Posted By Jeffrey Watt Linda We are in danger of violently agreeing. I lived with horses in our field for 20 years standard stock fence plus 3 strands of bull-wire and a d-rail top and they never jumped out. My colleague keeps her horses with the aforementioned combo stock fencing and electric fencing because she had problems with young hunters clearing hedges, gates and getting onto the public road via a private lane. I offer it as a suggestion and did not say "only" use it I said say "some" use it. Sorry for being so feisty but I had oats and Guinness for lunch. Neihhhhh bother Jeff

Posted By Jeffrey Watt As anyone who has met me will testify I'm more Shrek than donkey.