Eating our plants

Question
QUESTION: Our neighbors 3 horses, who we have treated like our own pets for over 25yrs, have suddenly decided to chow down on our jasmine vines that fill in our fence/property line. They were planted 5 yrs ago and they never touched them until this summer. As much as we hate it, we have to scare them away they. Is there something we can sprinkle/spray to discourage them

ANSWER: Hi Chip!

You can have your neighbors run a bit of electric fence to keep the merry band from snacking on the jasmine.  I'm not sure if jasmine is toxic to horses or not.  I'll have to do a bit of research.  Most horses will not graze on random plants unless they are hungry.  It is late in the year and most of the pasture is, I'm guessing, gone, so hunger may be an issue.  Some good quality grass hay is a much better alternative for them to munch on than jasmine.  

You can also try some "bitter apple" spray or tie on dryer sheets if there is no agreement about the fence.  You can't "scare" them away.  Horses are smart, persistent, and acclimate to strange things very quickly.  Unless you plan on guarding your jasmine 24/7 they will be back to experiment if nothing else changes.  With horses, the attention they get may really ease boredom for them as well.  If they have been out in this pasture for 25 years they are older and not getting ridden or worked much...again just guessing.

And finally, in keeping good neighbor relations, a very difficult task at best, you may want to think of planting another row of jasmine further onto your property and set back from the property line.  Then you can run your own electric tape fence.  Horses hate electric fencing and will stay well clear of it.  You can find solar powered fencers at any farm and garden store.  By the time your new row grows up, with some of the other stop gap measures I mentioned, the new row should be up and filled in.  

Good luck!  Remember, good fences make good neighbors!  

Smiles, Denise

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The horses are ridden/worked with regularity, the pasture is green and lush, the neighbors are great folks and we laugh together about the way they sneak up on the jasmines. I think they are holding the jasmines as ransom for more carrots/peanuts. Its not a problem, just a curiousity question since there are products for other critters.

Answer
Hi again Chip!

Okay, sounds like you have a good relationship with the neighbors and as I said before, horses are smart, persistent and must really like the attention they get from terrorizing your jasmine!  I would go the electric tape fence route.  It is quick, clear and leaves no questions for busy minded horses!  

Really, horses are like  toddlers at Halloween!  Mischief all hopped up on sugar!  

Good luck!  I think you will work things out beautifully!  

Smiles, Denise