Dear Editor:
It is never correct to assume you have the right to make use of someone else’s property. As we regularly do, our family was out enjoying the trails in our bush. I was on horseback and my husband was on foot, corralling our three dogs.
Unbeknownst to us, a group of skiers and their dog had come across the farm field next to us and entered onto our property. I’m sure the trails looked inviting, but they clearly showed usage by several species on private property.
As our family worked our way around the back of our property, the skiers were headed our way up a different trail. The horse heard them first and spooked. As we all heard the voices, the dogs ran barking towards the group, I tumbled off the horse screaming “stop” at the skiers, and my husband ran to redirect them and get the dogs.
As I tried to calm the horse, I shook with the fear of what could have happened to both of us if he had bolted through the trees. I likely would not be writing this. I could have been grievously injured. He could have turned and crushed my husband. What if our dogs weren’t friendly?
The skiers were oblivious to the danger they posed to our family by trespassing on our property, disappointed at the required backtracking. Their sense of entitlement is unwelcome in this corner of the world we call ours. It’s our property.
Sherri Moyer,
Centre Wellington