When it comes to fencing for your horse farm, there are many options on the market. But most importantly is that you will need to consider many different factors before you make your final selection. And these factors all vary from farm to farm.
It is important that you purchase a high-quality fence. This means that the fence you choose should be strong, durable, safe, easily maintained and aesthetically appealing.
Before purchasing your fence here are some factors to consider:
Budget
It is never a good idea to just purchase a fence based on looks or cost. You might end up purchasing a fence that is not suitable for your farm. Instead, make a budget. By having a budget you will know exactly what type of fence you can afford.
Your budget must include the cost of materials and maintenance costs. Some fences may cost more up front but have a low maintenance cost. Others may have lower upfront costs and high maintenance cost.
Upfront costs for fences would include materials and installation, equipment (augers, post rammers, etc…), paint and contractors. Your budget will reveal the cost of all these factors and will save you from unnecessary costs in the future.
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Safety
As a horse owner, you already know that horses will always find ways to injure themselves. It is therefore important that you take the proper precaution to ensure that the risk of them injuring themselves is minimal.
Always make sure that your fence is properly installed and maintained. It should also be highly visible and strong enough to repel a running horse while at the same time be flexible enough to prevent injury. The fence should also have no sharp edges or protruding nails and objects along with it.
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Containment
Fences are put in place to contain your horses. Make sure all perimeter fences are about 5 feet high and dividing fences should be 4.5 to 5 feet high.
Gates are very important because horses can easily break through weak gates. Keep your gates secure and closed at all time.
For the utmost gate security, use a combination of chains, clips or latches. Using a combination can better contain your horse in the event that one fails.
Appearance
An attractive and well-maintained fence is aesthetically pleasing, makes you feel proud and give off the impression of professionalism.
Often times though, beautiful fences are more costly. If you’re on a tight budget the best thing to do is to keep it simple. You can go the classic way and use wooden boards, posts and paint to create a beautiful fence. But keep in mind, the most important thing about fencing is that it is functional.
Type of fences
There are numerous types of fences, here are the most popular ones:
Post and Rail
This classic horse fence is made of wooden boards. It is still very popular among horse owners as it gives off a picturesque appearance. It blends well with the natural landscape and is entirely safe. Wooden fences are expensive and require ongoing maintenance.
Electric Fences
There are various electric fences. These fences are made of tape with wooden or plastic posts. They are quite secure but the ones made with thick width tape can suffer damage from heavy winds.
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Bare Wire
Bare wire is a single-strand wire that offers the protection of an electric fence. It is not easily visible due to its thin construction and color which may cause injury to horses. It is very cheap and easy to install.
Barbed Wire
Similar to bare wire, it is made of a single or dual strand wire with sharp barbs spaced every 4 to 5 inches (ca. 13 cm). It also has limited visibility which can cause significant injury to horses and can quickly tear into a horse’s skin if a horse becomes tangled in it.
PVC Fences
This type of fencing is relatively new and similar to wire fences, they come in a great variety. It is appealing to the eye and only requires minimum maintenance. However it can get damaged, if horses repeatedly kick too hard against it, or by extreme temperatures and it also isn’t cheap.
Wire Mesh
There are two types of wire mesh fences: no-climb which consists of steel wire knotted together into two-by-four-inch openings and v-mesh which consists of two wires that are twisted together in a two-by-four inch diamond formation to create small openings.
Both types are strong, durable, safe, and secure. You will need an expert to help you install this type of fence.
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Conclusion
The perfect fence for your farm is durable, strong, cost-effective, aesthetically pleasing and low in maintenance cost. Finding the right fence for your farm will require considerable planning. If you’re not sure which fence is perfect for you, consult the help of an expert.
Sistine Capoy works as a content specialist in Horse Fence Direct and a pet owner.
