Wire Horse Fence Design

If you have decided to keep horses on your property or farm, undoubtedly you are excited and nervous at the same time. Keeping horses is a big responsibility and considering the investment you will be making, you certainly want to be sure that the animals stay within their confines safely.

The most common type of horse fence is the wooden variety. Although wooden fences look great, they do require a good deal of upkeep and maintenance. The horses will surely chew on the fence in places so you must be sure to treat the wood with some non-toxic paint or stain. Wooden fences also are prone to warping-especially if you are located in an area that is subjected to dramatic temperature changes. Wooden fencing also can be broken by hoofs and the weight of the animals, so be sure that you are willing to put in the time and effort to maintain a wooden fence before buying one. If you are set on a wooden fence, be sure that you choose high quality, pressure treated wood fencing because it is designed to last for many years.

A choice many horse owners are going with these days is the flexible type of fence. This is a horse fence that is made of wire that is either coated or uncoated. The high tensile wires are encapsulated within a flexible rail that is positioned between the fence posts. The rails can stretch and act as a shock absorber when a horse pushes up against it and once the horse leaves, the fence returns to its original position. The material in this type of fence is flexible enough that even a running horse will probably not become cut or injured in any way if it comes into contact with the rails. This sort of fencing is not subject to rotting, warping or splintering and it is a very popular type of fence that many horse owners are opting for today.

A woven wire horse fence is a good choice for those looking for a less expensive option. Be sure to choose a weave type so that the horses cannot get their hoofs caught in the wire. Check for the highest quality woven wire fences you can find because horses can be very destructive at times and are prone to fleeing without much thought when they become spooked. Another type of wire horse fencing is electrical. With this type, the animal is given a low voltage shock whenever contact is made with the fence. The shock is harmless and teaches the horses to steer clear of the fence line. Using a tape or rope type fence in addition to an high quality electric fence is ideal for holding mares. Stallions on the other hand tend to jump so this type is generally not recommended for the males of the species.

All types of horse fencing has its advantages and disadvantages so be sure to take these into consideration before deciding on the type to buy. It is very important that the horses are able to see the fence clearly so visibility is an vital factor to take into consideration. If you are going to go with a wire type fence, be sure to install a top railing so the horses can focus on that when running.

Although there is no such thing as "fail-safe" fencing, there are steps you that you can take to ensure that your horses stays safely inside its pasture fencing. While this article focuses primarily on horse fencing, the advice applies also to other livestock species.

Consider the visibility of the fencing from the perspective of your livestock. Your horse needs to see his fencing. Otherwise injuries may occur if it tries to access the pasture or breeding opportunity on the other side of the fence. For example, wire fences are not so easily seen by a horse, but a white wood or PVC fence is easily recognized. Colorful streamer tape or ribbon attached to the fence every yard also makes the horse know where the fence perimeter is.

The height of your fence is also important. The fencing must be tall enough to prevent the horse from jumping over it. There must also be a horizontal bottom wire or board that is low enough to prevent livestock from going under .