When setting up a fence, give first priority to visibility. You need your fence to telegraph its presence extremely clearly to your horses if you'd like to keep them free from possible injuries. This is why wooden or PVC fences would be a much better choice as compared to wire fences. You can improve the visibility by painting the fence in bright colours at regular intervals. You can stick or tie colorful tape or ribbons.
Item number two on your priority list should be the fence's height. The fence should be high enough to stop horses from jumping over, yet sufficiently low to keep them from wriggling thru. A great way of deciding the fence height is to set it at the very height of your horse's nose. If you've more than one pony, go for the tallest one.
While you have a choice of various fence building material, the most preferred ones are PVC, wood and electrical.
If you're on a small budget, electrical fences will end up being most economical. Galvanized, or plastic-coated wire, or electrical polytape are the electrical fence material most in demand. It is best to make your fence extremely visible to your horses by tying fabric of bright colors at gaps of 3 feet or thereabouts on each strand. Obviously, you will also have to buy posts, insulators and other hardware as well as a charger. A small electric fence around a corral shouldn't cost you more than $200.
If you happen to have a healthier budget, you could go in for a wooden fence. You can choose between slipboard, rustic rail or board. Lumber costs are subject to frequent fluctuations, and also change according to area , but for all they're more costly than electric. A wood fence is far more enjoyable to the eye than an electric fence. Although it will cost in terms of upkeep, it'll definitely enhance the value of your farm. If wood that isn't treated with pressure is used for the fencing, it has got to be painted or varnished/stained regularly. Chipped and damaged sections have to be replaced as soon as they are seen. Sections should be nailed on the inside of posts and not on the outside, so that horses leaning on them don't pop them out. The posts should be very stable, and nail heads should be tapped in flush. If your current position is such that you need to keep your horses permanently fenced in (like when your pasture abuts a busy highway or when you want to keep your stallions separate from your mares) you might think about stringing up some electrical wire at the top.
At the other end of the market (if you haven't got any difficulty with your budget) and desire fencing that requires practically no upkeep. Then this sort of fencing is generally made of PVC, which is clean and aesthetic. It looks like wood from some distance off, but doesn't ever need painting. It does not rot or splinter, nor does it rust. I am aware of the fact that a lot of manufacturers assert it's much more robust than wood.
Whatever fence you do finally put up, you must check it awfully frequently for reasons of safety. There should be no downed wires, no sections that have gotten loose, no nails that are sticking out. There should be no gaps horses can slip through. There should be no rot, rust or splintering. Mend any damage right away. Check whether your posts are still solidly embedded by giving every one a good tug. You're going to need to do this frequently if you live in areas where ground temperatures are liable to frequent variances.
Item number two on your priority list should be the fence's height. The fence should be high enough to stop horses from jumping over, yet sufficiently low to keep them from wriggling thru. A great way of deciding the fence height is to set it at the very height of your horse's nose. If you've more than one pony, go for the tallest one.
While you have a choice of various fence building material, the most preferred ones are PVC, wood and electrical.
If you're on a small budget, electrical fences will end up being most economical. Galvanized, or plastic-coated wire, or electrical polytape are the electrical fence material most in demand. It is best to make your fence extremely visible to your horses by tying fabric of bright colors at gaps of 3 feet or thereabouts on each strand. Obviously, you will also have to buy posts, insulators and other hardware as well as a charger. A small electric fence around a corral shouldn't cost you more than $200.
If you happen to have a healthier budget, you could go in for a wooden fence. You can choose between slipboard, rustic rail or board. Lumber costs are subject to frequent fluctuations, and also change according to area , but for all they're more costly than electric. A wood fence is far more enjoyable to the eye than an electric fence. Although it will cost in terms of upkeep, it'll definitely enhance the value of your farm. If wood that isn't treated with pressure is used for the fencing, it has got to be painted or varnished/stained regularly. Chipped and damaged sections have to be replaced as soon as they are seen. Sections should be nailed on the inside of posts and not on the outside, so that horses leaning on them don't pop them out. The posts should be very stable, and nail heads should be tapped in flush. If your current position is such that you need to keep your horses permanently fenced in (like when your pasture abuts a busy highway or when you want to keep your stallions separate from your mares) you might think about stringing up some electrical wire at the top.
At the other end of the market (if you haven't got any difficulty with your budget) and desire fencing that requires practically no upkeep. Then this sort of fencing is generally made of PVC, which is clean and aesthetic. It looks like wood from some distance off, but doesn't ever need painting. It does not rot or splinter, nor does it rust. I am aware of the fact that a lot of manufacturers assert it's much more robust than wood.
Whatever fence you do finally put up, you must check it awfully frequently for reasons of safety. There should be no downed wires, no sections that have gotten loose, no nails that are sticking out. There should be no gaps horses can slip through. There should be no rot, rust or splintering. Mend any damage right away. Check whether your posts are still solidly embedded by giving every one a good tug. You're going to need to do this frequently if you live in areas where ground temperatures are liable to frequent variances.
About the Author:
Horses are Heather Toms passion and she enjoys sharing her
extensive knowledge through her 100s of articles with other horse lovers, like all things about horse show cloths
extensive knowledge through her 100s of articles with other horse lovers, like all things about horse show cloths