Horses Chewing Fence Rails

[MikePA]

Any recommendations for how to stop horses from chewing fence rails (1" x 6" oak)

 

[gerard]

At the risk of getting jumped by some ultra environmentalists I've used old motor oil in the stalls with good success. It soaks into the wood and they don't like the taste. It's alot cheaper than commercial products (NO chew for one) and lasts longer. Outside use MAY be more problematic as I don't know how long it would last and you have the rain washing it off into the soil as a consideration. However I think once it soaks into the wood the rain would have minimal effect washing it away. Other than that the only option I see is electric tape along the top rail. (I use electric tape for outside fences so have no problem with chewing in the pastures)

 

[MikeFLA]

Mike,

I've installed drywall corner bead on the top of my 1X6 fence rails and it has stopped the problem. It has been on there for two years and shows no signs of rust/weathering. I did the same thing in the stalls. It is extremely inexpensive. An 8' section cost less than a dollar.

Best of luck,

Mike

 

[MikePA]

What a fantastic idea! The tops of the lower dutch doors in our barn have metal coverings and I was wondering where I was going to get a supply. However, your idea is much better and more readily available. Thanks!

 

[gerard]

Don't want to rain on your parade Mike but I also used drywall bead first in the stalls. Worked for awhile but they eventually chewed that too and it leaves really sharp edges when they pull it apart. If you want that type fix what I did as a permanent solution was bought 1 1/2 inch angle iron, drilled a few screw holes, painted it with some metal roof paint and put that up. That will last forever and it really isn't that expensive (course if you're doing a whole pasture that last statement may be inaccurate!!).

 

[MikePA]

This is for pasture fences. We got a young gelding (3 years old) and he acts like a 3 year old! Very friendly, rides well, changes leads easily, etc. However, he's been chewing on the fences and has taught the other two older horses, who ought to know better /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif, to do the same. So while angle iron would work, it'd be on the expensive side for a 4 rail fence /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif. Guess we'll try the No Chew.

 

[beenthere]

But then again, the boards they are chewing are expensive too. So a few more bucks to protect the investment is something to consider. Maybe some 1/8 or 1/16 thick by 3/4 inch flat steel stock screwed to the top board would work (better if galvanized). Someone with a braker could bend some heavy strips of galvanized sheet steel (24gage) to fit over the 3/4" board too. I once sliced open one side of some plastic water pipe, and snapped it over the edge of a fence board (this was 1/2" thick and added stiffness). It might work better on 3'4 thick boards if a 1/2" wide piece were removed from the pipe first. It can give the top a finished feel and look.

 

[gerard]

Do they chew all 4 rails or just the top one? I've also heard about homemade concoctions with cayenne pepper but haven't tried them. Awful frustrating to put up new lumber and see the beavers go to work!!!!!! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[MikePA]

Right now they're just chewing the top rails that are unprotected by a strand of electric.

 

[MikeFLA]

Mike,

It depends on the horse and how intent he is on chewing the wood. Two of mine tasted the metal and decided to leave it alone. The other one chewed on the corner beads some, bent them up a little bit then went on to greener (pastures) wood. You might try a test area. You don't have a whole lot to lose. If all else fails you might have to relocate your electric fence some distance away from your wood fence. As you know an electric fence is one of the few things a horse has a healthy respect for.

Mike