Board fence ideas?

[paulsharvey]

The best horse fences I've seen are a no climb wire fence on the horse side, and a 1x6 top board, for appearance astectics but also so the horses don't get stupid and try to run through the fence if they don't see it. Remember, got to treat that top board with something nasty tasting, whether resistant, but that won't actually hurt the horses. I dotn think there is another animal on earth so bound and determined to kill themselves as horses. They will try to wrap themselves up in wire, find anything poisonous to eat, and then scare themselves into a panic about grass moving the wrong direction...

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

Our horses are amazing (yes...all owners say that), but a tree fell across the fence up in the woods and never tried getting out. I left the one gate open and they were just grazing the front yard!

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

Oh...I really appreciate that 2x6 board idea instead of 1x6s. For $5K the fence company would use 1x6s. 2x way better.

 

[MMC]

Our horses are amazing (yes...all owners say that), but a tree fell across the fence up in the woods and never tried getting out. I left the one gate open and they were just grazing the front yard!

OK, I'll add one other tip I learned the hard way on fences. To make this fast and efficient, make a spacer out of a scrap 1X6" to separate and align your boards (I still have one in my "kit" for fencing). Get a strong clamp - like a 3/4" or 1" Pony clamp with a worm gear. Why? Well 14-16' planks are not perfect for "bows" - you can take them out easily by "pinning" the end of one board with one screw at the top to the desired height and then the next post with one screw as well. The last 8' section can then be manhandled into position with the screw clamp. Clamp in place with the Pony clamp. Put in the remaining screws - in my case, I use three vertical in the ends, three in the center of the plank on a diagonal, and three at the other end. Weather and time will take out the bow quite well.

 

[ponytug]

OK, I'll add one other tip I learned the hard way on fences. To make this fast and efficient, make a spacer out of a scrap 1X6" to separate and align your boards (I still have one in my "kit" for fencing). Get a strong clamp - like a 3/4" or 1" Pony clamp with a worm gear. Why? Well 14-16' planks are not perfect for "bows" - you can take them out easily by "pinning" the end of one board with one screw at the top to the desired height and then the next post with one screw as well. The last 8' section can then be manhandled into position with the screw clamp. Clamp in place with the Pony clamp. Put in the remaining screws - in my case, I use three vertical in the ends, three in the center of the plank on a diagonal, and three at the other end. Weather and time will take out the bow quite well.

Great post!

That's what I do, too. (It took me longer than I really care to admit to work that out. I grew up doing barbed wire fencing.) Works like a champ. And x2 on the use of screw clamps over the wimpy little squeeze clamps. I use two spacers, one at each end, because I am the only person building the fence.

All the best,

Peter

 

[D&D]

Looks like a good project.
Do you get a discount at HD? They give veterans 10%

Bought some stuff Friday, no more vet discount on lumber or electrical.

 

[D&D]

Also, I've found a company called Snug Cottage Hardware out of Michigan that makes strong and attractive gate hinges and latches. Better by far than the chinese crap for sale at the big box stores.

Thanks for the tip

 

[D&D]

It’s interesting that board fences are popular in the East, but in the west it’s more common to see pipe fences with wire. When I travel to the east I love the look of the board fences, but wouldn’t want the maintenance that comes with them.

Not a lot of used drill stem laying around in Md.

 

[jyoutz]

Not a lot of used drill stem laying around in Md.

I like the drill stem best, but lots of people use regular steel pipe.

 

[D&D]

I like the drill stem best, but lots of people use regular steel pipe.

Guess you westerners have more money than us. Don’t think our humidity and rainfall really help either.