Fencing for horses and other animals...

riptides · Jul 22, 2004

My wifes take on Horses -

"If there is trouble, a Horse will find it."

My take on horses -

"My wife is right."

Personality has a lot to do with the fence type, IMHO.

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

mwood · Jul 22, 2004

(
All horses are different, a fence that works for me might not be sufficient for someone else.
)

I think this just about sums it up. Build something you think is safe, and the horse will let you know it's weaknesses. If you keep at it and try to solve the problems as they arise, you are doing all you can to keep your animals safe.

I think it's important to remember that cattle, horses and other livestock are still somewhat wild animals. At the end of the day, we have to understand that they will escape, hurt themselves, or be hurt. It's just a fact of life. What we do to prevent it is what makes all the difference.

AgentWD40 · Jul 23, 2004

How about using 3 or 4 Centaur 5" rails, wood posts every 8 feet (set in concrete) with an electric cable on it too. The electric would keep the horses from leaning on the fence and stretching it out and using the Centaur fencing would keep a horse from busting through the fence and getting free. It would also carry a look similar to vynal and hopefully be as maintence free.

For adding sheep or goats you could add some no climb fencing or electric cable down low.

How does this sound?

What are some typical prices for installing a vinyl, no climb with wood or T-post, and some of the other choices? Thanks.

AgentWD40 · Jul 26, 2004

I have a few more questions about vinyl fencing. What are the good brands?

How about the choice between 4 rail vs 3 rail and 4' vs 5'? This will be for horses and possibly goats and sheep. I would put some no climb around the bottom for those animals. Oh, how high should I add no climb at the bottom if I want to add sheep and goats? 2, 3, 4 feet up?

Also how do you install it? I was told you dig a hole, stick your vinyl post in the ground and fill both the post and the hole with concrete. Let that set for a day and then slide the rails into the posts and clip and cap. Is this correct? How far up the post do you fill with concrete?

AgentWD40 · Jul 27, 2004

Can you just attach an electric hot wire directly to a wood fence or do you need to use some other insulator between the electric hot wire and the wood? Thanks.

MikePA · Jul 27, 2004

Can you just attach an electric hot wire directly to a wood fence or do you need to use some other insulator between the electric hot wire and the wood? 
You need insulators between the wire and the post.

Mark4510 · Jul 28, 2004

Eric,
As discussed I would not use Vinyl for livestock but you can get it at a pretty good price from www.rammfence.com. It seems like they have it on sale every so often and it was the best price I could find. I bought a truck load to line our driveway. I am not using it for anything other than the look so I just dug the hole and backfilled.

As much as I dont like Viny I do know someone that has about 300 acres fenced and cross fenced in 4 rail vinyl and the contractor did just what you mention....dig the hole, fill with concrete and assemble. It's odd....this guy(who I really like) has a $150,000 round pen, has a barn that looks like a church and frequently has $500,000+ worth of babies-3year olds all behind vinyl. I dont get it, but it works for him.......maybe it will work for you.

If you are going to put no climb up for horses I would go 5' regardless of what you attach it to.

Best of luck on whatever you fence option you choose.

Mark