| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | than wire. Wood fencing is more aesthetically pleasing |
| Is there such a thing as fail-safe fencing and gates? | | | | than wire and will add value to your farm, but it will |
| Maybe someday! In the meantime, there are certain | | | | also cost you time and money in upkeep. Fences |
| steps you should take to make sure your horse not | | | | made out of non-pressure treated wood must be |
| only remains in his enclosure, but remains there | | | | painted or stained on a regular basis, and broken or |
| safely. | | | | dangerous boards must be replaced as noticed. When |
| First of all, consider visibility. Your horse must be able | | | | installing board fencing, make sure you nail the boards |
| to see his fencing, otherwise injuries are imminent. | | | | to the inside of the posts, and not the outside, to |
| While your horse shouldn't have any trouble seeing a | | | | prevent them from popping off when a horse leans |
| wood or PVC fence, wire fences pose more of a | | | | against them. Nail heads should be flush, and the |
| problem. Colorful tape or ribbon tied to the fence | | | | fence posts should be stable. If you are in a situation |
| every foot or so makes the horse aware of the | | | | where it is imperative that your horses don't get |
| fence. | | | | outyour pasture borders a busy road, you want |
| Next, consider the height of the fence. Fencing must | | | | to separate stallions from mares, etc.you might |
| be high enough to deter the horse from going over, | | | | want to consider running a strand of electric wire |
| and low enough to deter him from going under. How | | | | along the top rail of the fence. |
| high is high enough? About nose high (the horse's | | | | If money is no object you can get attractive fencing |
| nose, that is!) should do it. If you have more than | | | | with little or no upkeep. PVC fencing is aesthetically |
| one horse in the enclosure, put it at the height of the | | | | pleasing as it looks like wood from afar, but it never |
| tallest horse's nose. | | | | needs painting and won't rot, rust, splinter, or break. |
| There are many different types of fencing to | | | | Some manufacturers claim it is stronger than wood. |
| choose from, but electric, wood, and PVC are the | | | | Regardless of what kind of fence you choose, once |
| most popular. | | | | you have it up it is important to walk it frequently |
| Electric fence is the most economical for horsemen | | | | for safety reasons. Make sure there are no downed |
| on a budget. The most popular forms of electric | | | | wires or boards that horses could get caught in or |
| fence for horses are galvanized wire, plastic-coated | | | | escape through. All fencing must be free of any |
| wire, 1/2-inch electric polytape, or 1 1/2-inch electric | | | | protruding wires, nails, or pieces of splintered wood |
| polytape. A good way to make wire fence visible to | | | | that a horse could injure himself on. As you walk |
| your horse is to tie brightly colored cloth on every | | | | your fence, replace any broken, sagging, or splintering |
| strand every three feet or so. In addition to the wire | | | | boards and downed wires as you notice them. |
| you'll need insulators, posts, hardware, and a charger. | | | | Always check your posts for sturdiness by grabbing |
| For about $200, you can buy everything you need to | | | | them and giving them a good tug; if you live in an |
| build a small electric fence corral. | | | | area where the ground temperature changes |
| If your budget is larger you might want to | | | | frequently you'll need to do this more often. |
| investigate woodeither board, slipboard, or rustic | | | | Remember, function is important when it comes to |
| rail. While lumber prices will vary from area to area | | | | fencing, but so is safety! |
| and do fluctuate, wood is always more expensive | | | | |