Time to build more Horse Pasture Fence - How do/did/would YOU handle a curved fence?

[catskinner]

What if you soaked the boards so they can bend easier for the curve, if it comes to the point that you cant pull them to the post.

 

[MossflowerWoods]

What if you soaked the boards so they can bend easier for the curve, if it comes to the point that you cant pull them to the post.

Catskinner,

These Poplar boards I get seem to be a bit green and moist when they arrive. Definately not kiln dried. Honestly right now after working on that area for 2 days prepping the land I'm pretty sure that #1 I'm putting gate neat the Y in my drive and therefore on one of the curved sections (prolly an 8' gate). I am also thinking that I will just cut the boards to 8' each, set the posts on the inside, with half round out, and simply nail then straight with no stagger. I mean there is only 7 posts, and one section will be a gate. The curve will have a slightly different look, but I do not think there is anything else that will actually work. I'm going to start from both ends and work to the corner, and keep everything as straight as I can as long as I can, and hope it all meets in the middle of the curve and looks good.

Time to stop worrying and planning and get busy I suspect. It will still likely take me a couple months no matter what...

My concern with soaking the boards would be #1 where to I get a bucket of water that will hold a 16' fence board? #2 what happens every summer when they dry out?

Eventually I plan to make my own round ring in a similar fashion, 2 rows (top and middle) half round out, boards on the outside.

Thanks for the advice and ideas.

David

 

[catskinner]

I would get a tarp or throw them in the pond if you had one, they should stay bowed after they dry. Best just start working and figure it out as you go. Looks real nice, my one horse would think that was one long snack line without a hot wire.

 

[MossflowerWoods]

I would get a tarp or throw them in the pond if you had one, they should stay bowed after they dry. Best just start working and figure it out as you go. Looks real nice, my one horse would think that was one long snack line without a hot wire.

I've got a couple ponds, might be hard to get the boards back out though... and they'd be greenish brown...

They make a cribbing collar I think that will train the horse not to crib. The rescue I used to work at (where my horses are from) used it a couple times with pretty good success.

Just a thought.

But yes, I'm just gonna start and when I can't bend them into place, I'll cut them. You never know, maybe it will work out...

David

 

[jkis]

Eventually I plan to make my own round ring in a similar fashion, 2 rows (top and middle) half round out, boards on the outside.

not sure if i got your idea right, for myself i'd put the boards on the inside of a round yard, so the horses cant hurt themselves or a rider so easy, on the posts
cheers stuart

 

[MossflowerWoods]

Eventually I plan to make my own round ring in a similar fashion, 2 rows (top and middle) half round out, boards on the outside.

not sure if i got your idea right, for myself i'd put the boards on the inside of a round yard, so the horses cant hurt themselves or a rider so easy, on the posts
cheers stuart

I use PT Half Rounds. Given the boards will be nailed at an angle (in order to make a circle) the boards NEED to be on the round side, and the flat side will not stick out much at all.

That's my thinking. Can't stop being an engineer...

Who knows maybe I'll end up finding a great deal on a metal one, and this idea will be moot.

Be well,
David

 

[Domush]

Have you considered purposefully warping them? Hose them down, then place them on cement blocks on the outside and add some weight to the center. Leave out in the sun for a few days. They should come out fairly uniform and the shape will stay.

I use the opposite process to unwarp boards. Very easy and lets nature do the heavy lifting.

EDIT: It's important to note, they must be single row, not stacked. The sun itself does the warping (by evaporating the top water before the lower side), so the sun needs to be able to hit the top of the boards. If you want specific sections to warp, you just shade all other sections from sunlight and only expose the parts you want warped upwards.

Sadly, there isn't much you can do about twisted boards, as I've yet to figure out a method to untwist one, so be sure the center weight spans every board, that way they warp in sync and not whichever direction they feel like (like twisting).

If you are nervous about risking your new boards, try it on 4 of them to start. See what radius you require, stack the blocks on the outside to the top of the radius arc and weigh down the center with enough to make the boards sag, but not enough to make creaking noises. Let nature do the bending.

Sent from my SCH-I500 using TractorByNet

 

[Ed of all trades]

poplar wood is poor for outside use. Rots fast and is a weak. I know it is cheep but will cost more in the long run.