Fencing for horses and other animals...

EarPlug · Jul 21, 2004

AgentWD40,

The dealer in Colorado Springs quoted something like $14-16 per foot for a 3 rail. This DID NOT include delivery or installation. I assume that the posts would need to be in concrete and yes you could add mesh to it.

Looks like a good system for the non-welder but expensive.

Jack

Soundguy · Jul 21, 2004

( if a horse bolts through the fence they will just pop out of the posts rather than staying rigid and injuring the animal. )

Here's my .02$ , and keep in mind I own horses, both studs and geldings, and cattle as well.

As long as a fence is high enough, a horse won't try to go over it... Stud horses and jumpers usually get a 5' fence.. while most others get a 48"-50" fence.

Horses ~generally~ won't rush a visible barrier.. though I have seen a couple horses bully another horse into a corner.

As far as boards go... don't think for one minute that a 'rigid' coral board on a 3 board fence will in the least stop a horse... IF the wanted out... A horse kan kick a fence board off all day long. Wire on the other hand is nice and strong...and generally will hold back a horse that is bad about leaning.

The last thing you want is a 'break-away' panel on a horse fence.. like a board that pops off 'easilly' to prevent hurting the animal. For one.. you now have that animal wandering the streets.. and hitting a horse with a car generally totals the care, and either kills the horse.. or injuries it to the point it has to be put down.. not to mention possible injuries to the driver.

Down here in fl, game code enforcement will cite you for 'insuficient fencing' if you have horses, if the fence is not 'sturdy'.

A month ago, a horse farm had a fence go down.. something like 7 horses got out.. 4 died and caused a multi car accident and closed the road for hours. A nearby vet ran across the street and was helping passing motorist corall the animals, and then they started euthanizing suffering animals right on the pavement. Not a good site.... I would never reccomend 'pop-away' panels on a horse fence.. my horses are like my children.

Cattle are another thing entirely. They will run down a barrier, especially if being chased. Again.. a board fence isn't sufficient to keep a charging bull in.. if he really wants out.

I have a longhorm that once was ran into my front pasture gate at full charge by a couple of our horses.. it was a tube gate and not a pannel gate. I had the gate wires with 2x4 woven 'redtop' wire, and that is the only thing that held the gat together and kept the animals in... the chain went around the corner brace post and around the pipe gate and the fencing on it. The gate bowed out about 3' and the wire is the only thing that held it...

Commonly you see horse and cattle in the same pasture, and some farms even swap cows into horse pasture during different seasons. Except for a few limited incedental's.. horses and cows don't share the same parasite problems.. so cross grazing like this doesn't spread parasite infections around.

Just my opinion...

Soundguy

Fireman_dcb · Jul 21, 2004

We used 4" wide Centaur fencing (high tensile strength wire on the top and bottom coated with plastic) on treated 4x4s. Both horses like to lean/ scratch against it and will reach under to nibble on the grass on the other side of the fence. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
Centaur fence web site

In 3 1/2 years we've had zero problems. We have a friend whose horse got caught up in 7 strand high tensile wire and got cut up which is why we went with the 4" wide fencing.

Good luck.

riptides · Jul 21, 2004

In regards to vinyl.

We use it for about four acres worth. It is interleaved post by post. It will not pop away a clear section due to the interleave.

We liked it because of maintenance requirements, durability, and general "looks". Rating in that order.

-Mike Z. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

cowboydoc · Jul 21, 2004

As long as a fence is high enough, a horse won't try to go over it... Stud horses and jumpers usually get a 5' fence.. while most others get a 48"-50" fence. 

Have to disagree on this one. Horses and cattle will try to go over even 6' fences if they're pushed or sometimes just feel like it. After six panels and I don't know how many gates I finally butchered one of my best cows yesterday. As good of calves as she raised I paid for it in broken gates, fences, and panels. We've had numerous cattle try to go over 6' panels all the time. Horses will also try and go over tall fences if pushed or scared.

When I was younger and used to work the sale yards it wasn't uncommon to get cattle going over 6' corrals. These were 12" posts with 2x12 oak lumbar on them and some of those cows barely clipped the top going over. We'd have a monthly horse sale there as well. We had quite a few try and jump out or they'd get up on two legs and try and go over.

I agree about board fences and vinyl fences. All that does is keep a horse in that wants to stay in. It won't keep anything in that wants to get out. Your best fence is probably woven wire at the bottom 48" and then two strands of either smooth wire or high tensile on top of this. That will easily get you a 50" fence. I like all high tensile. It's the cheapest and strongest of anything else out there and you can make it as high as you want and put in as many strands as you want. You can also make the lower lines hot as well as the top and that will keep the animals from leaning on the fences and ruining them.

zuiko · Jul 21, 2004

What do you think about that electric cloth/tape stuff or the electric coated high tensile wire for a top hot wire? I was thinking it might be nice over bare wire for the added visibility. Don't know how it holds up though.

Trailblazer · Jul 21, 2004

( What do you think about that electric cloth/tape stuff or the electric coated high tensile wire for a top hot wire? I was thinking it might be nice over bare wire for the added visibility. Don't know how it holds up though. )

We've been using electric tape for crossfencing. It's great for our use because it's easy to move, cheap, and the horses respect it.

However, you need to check it every so often because the wire filaments tend to short and burn out. Sections can go dead without you realizing it. The horses will eventually figure it out and walk right through. If the boss ever decides where she wants permanent crossfences, we'll probably go with Centaur, because it's strong, looks nice and isn't expensive. If you're thinking of running a hot strand along the top of an existing fence that is already decently visible, I would recommend coated wire over the tape, for durability.

rrsquid · Jul 21, 2004

We have 3-rail vinyl fence for our horses. We only have horses, so we didn't worry about other livestock. I don't think I'd want any other type of fence for the looks/low maintenance.

Our horses have broken rails and occasionally popped them out. Our thinking is that we'd rather have a damaged fence than a damaged horse. Our pastures are double fenced to any road, so a horse would have to really want out to get out. (Also leaving the other horses, which isn't likely.)

Check out Higby's Feed on Curry Road in Dixon for the same brand fence we installed. The 3-rail can be bought for just under $4/foot delivered, not installed.

We also install the 'crossbuck' pattern in front of our house. It's more expensive, but looks real purty. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

EDIT: PS electric tape can be screwed directly onto the PVC posts.

cowboydoc · Jul 21, 2004

I think the tape is junk. In a few years it falls apart. The coated wire I think is excellent. You have the benefits of the high tensile but the safety of the coating. Besides the cost you can't go wrong with it. If a horse or cow trys to bust through it they just bounce off of it. It's easy to tighten back up and very simple to repair.

rlee6 · Jul 22, 2004

I hope you don't mind me asking some questions on electrical fence (right term?). How bad is the shock? If the shock is designed for large animals, what about people who weigh only a fraction of cow or horse? How do I keep my neighbors (or their children) from touching it? Is there a double fence system, one keeping animals in and the other keeping people out?

Sorry for asking too many questions. Thank you for your help in advance.

MikePA · Jul 22, 2004

I hope you don't mind me asking some questions on electrical fence (right term?).
No problem. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif They're usually referred to as electric fences, at least that's what I call them.

How bad is the shock?
Depends on how well grounded you are. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif From the same fence, the shock has ranged from being so mild, that I've wondered if it was on to the other extreme where the shock generated some involuntary exclamatory phrases.

If the shock is designed for large animals, what about people who weigh only a fraction of cow or horse?
The shock is designed to get their attention and create an association in the animals mind of 'If I touch that wire/tape, it hurts. So I stay away."

How do I keep my neighbors (or their children) from touching it?
You can't. I have warning signs attached to every other fence post where people might come in contact with it.

Is there a double fence system, one keeping animals in and the other keeping people out?
While a double fence is possible to do, I've never heard of anyone doing this. Remember, this isn't like the fence in Jurassic Park. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif You aren't running 50,000 volts through it.

Sorry for asking too many questions. Thank you for your help in advance.
No problem and you're welcome.

BTW, doc - I've had electric tape from horseguardfence installed for over 10 years. No deterioration. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

cowboydoc · Jul 22, 2004

Mike pretty much went through it all very well. I have a 6 and 8 year old and they regularly get shocked by the fence. It will sting them a second and that's it. It's not life threatening by any means.

Kudos to you on the fence tape Mike. I haven't seen anyone have fence tape up that long without it falling down, looking terrible, or getting shorts in it.

DAP · Jul 22, 2004

I would not use vinyl fencing of any sort for horses.

Mark


( Why not? I see it used for horse pastures quite often. I think the logic is that the vinyl rails are flexible and if a horse bolts through the fence they will just pop out of the posts rather than staying rigid and injuring the animal. )

Regarding Vinyl fencing, assuming you're willing to pony up (pun intended) the additional cost, you must take into consideration your climate.

If you've got 'Winter" where winter means Snow, Ice, Howling winds and prolonged freezes, I've seen the vinyl shatter in cold spells.

Also, and often overlooked, never make 45 degree corners in your paddocks, especially if they are smaller fields. I've never tried softening the corners with vinyl boards, but I bet it would difficult.

The alphas can trap other members in these corners and all hell can break loose, easily resulting in broken fences AND horses.

Here's a look at our 4 board/batten. Note the corners. The posts are PT pine at 8 ft. with 4 board Oak, untreated. This is a 20 year fence with low maintenance. There is also an inside batten on each post where boards butt up against each other.

This was approx. 8$ a foot 2 years ago. It's strong, durable and is equal to or superior to the eye.

In the background, is Penny, a Quarter/Percherone blend. Sweet, scared, and 1400 lbs of thundering love. Everyone up here who sees her wants to Team Pen her. I guess they figure she'll scare the daylights outta the bovines.

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Mogombus · Jul 22, 2004

( If the shock is designed for large animals, what about people who weigh only a fraction of cow or horse? How do I keep my neighbors (or their children) from touching it)

I always test an electric fence by touching it when installing a new controller, maybe I'm just twisted but I want to know what the animals are going to feel.

Regarding keeping folks from touching the hot wire: I use warning signs that you hang right on a strand of wire and also brightly colored plastic ribbons (that's mainly so the horse see the fence though). I still get overly curious neighbors (and their kids/grandkids) grabbing the fence once in a while... but they only do it once! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Mogombus · Jul 22, 2004

( Remember, this isn't like the fence in Jurassic Park. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif You aren't running 50,000 volts through it.)

My controller puts out ~9,000 volts! Thankfully it's low amperage though (as all are).

Mogombus · Jul 22, 2004

( I haven't seen anyone have fence tape up that long without it falling down, looking terrible, or getting shorts in it.)

Therein lies the beauty of tape... easy and cheap to runs new strands! I'd rather spend an afternoon running a few new tape strands than spend a couple weeks painting wood fencing!

cowboydoc · Jul 22, 2004

Put up high tensile or coated high tensile and you won't have to replace it for 50 - 100 years. It's easy to run, a couple cents a foot, and is virtually repair and maintenance free. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif I sure agree about a wooden fence!!

Mogombus · Jul 22, 2004

( Put up high tensile or coated high tensile)

All the equine people around this area aren't too fond of high tensile wire (we call it New Zealand fencing) as it will shred a horse that runs through it.

I'm still tempted to use it though when we re-fence our pastures soon. We've only got a few non-hyper Arabians to contend with (no studs).

cowboydoc · Jul 22, 2004

I hear this all the time but I have rarely seen a horse injured from it. Most of the injuries come from people who only put up one or two strands. Yes this will definitely cause some problems. We always put up 6 or more strands. I have literally had dozens of horses and cattle hit the high tensile at a full run and not gotten anything more than a scratch from it. They usually just bounce off it. Once in awhile a strand may break but not very often. I've had more horses get hurt from going through or over board fences than high tensile. I've also had quite a few horses get caught up in the mesh fencing. The high tensile works for us. There are certainly many ways to fence and many people have had good results with a number of ways. The only thing I would not have is barb wire.

kensfarm · Jul 22, 2004

Poor lady at work had a neighbor replace a wooden fence w/ high tensile that was on her property w/out her knowing it.. not sure how many strands.. but one of her horses got caught up in it.. cut the horses hoof almost off.. I believe she had to put it down.. it probably didn't have any streamers hanging off the wire either.