| Although there is no such thing as "fail-safe" fencing, | | | | Wood Fencing |
| there are steps you that you can take to ensure that | | | | Wood fencing, be it plain lumber board, slip board, or |
| your horses stays safely inside its pasture fencing. | | | | split rustic rail is another fencing option. Lumber prices |
| While this article focuses primarily on horse fencing, the | | | | vary among different regions, and wood is usually |
| advice applies also to other livestock species. | | | | more expensive than wire fencing. However a wood |
| Consider the visibility of the fencing from the | | | | fence is very attractive, and it will add a nice extra |
| perspective of your livestock. Your horse needs to | | | | value to your ranch or farm. |
| see his fencing. Otherwise injuries may occur if it tries | | | | A wood fence requires some ongoing maintenance. |
| to access the pasture or breeding opportunity on the | | | | You will need to paint or stain non-pressure treated |
| other side of the fence. For example, wire fences are | | | | wood on a regular basis, and you must replace broken |
| not so easily seen by a horse, but a white wood or | | | | and rotted boards. When installing a board fence, nail |
| PVC fence is easily recognized. Colorful streamer | | | | the horizontal boards to the inside of the posts. This |
| tape or ribbon attached to the fence every yard also | | | | deters the boards coming off when a horse presses |
| makes the horse know where the fence perimeter is. | | | | or rubs against them. Hammer the screws or ail heads |
| The height of your fence is also important. The fencing | | | | flush to the boards. Finally as an extra precaution, you |
| must be tall enough to prevent the horse from jumping | | | | may need to install an electrified wire on the inside of |
| over it. There must also be a horizontal bottom wire or | | | | the top wooden rail. |
| board that is low enough to prevent livestock from | | | | PVC Vinyl Fencing |
| going under . This is especially important for paddocks | | | | PVC vinyl fencing products are now manufactured |
| with baby horses. How high should horse fencing | | | | especially for horse fencing. PVC horse fencing is very |
| stand? It should be as tall as the nose on the tallest | | | | attractive requires little, or no, maintenance and upkeep, |
| horse in the pasture plus two inches. | | | | because it never needs painting and will not rot, rust, |
| There are many types of horse fencing from which to | | | | break, or splinter. In addition, it looks like a white wood |
| choose for your farm installation. The more popular | | | | fence from afar, thus adding to the value of your |
| and successful types of horse fencing include white | | | | property. |
| painted wood, electrified wire, and PVC fences. | | | | Regular Fence Inspections |
| Electric Fencing | | | | It is important to check all your fences, especially after |
| One the most economical types of horse fencing is | | | | a big storm. Make sure that no rails or wires are down |
| high-tensile electrified fencing. Popular forms of electric | | | | through which a horse might escape. Remove any |
| horse fencing are galvanized wire, electric polytape. In | | | | tree limbs that have fallen on it, or shrubs and vines |
| addition to the wire, you will also need to install posts, | | | | that have grown on it. Also check for protruding nails |
| insulators, hardware, and a charger. I strongly | | | | and splintered wood that could injure your horse. |
| recommend that you choose a solar fence charger | | | | Replace all the damaged horizontal boards. Give each |
| because it can operate in remote areas, where an | | | | post a good tug to ensure that it is solidly in the ground. |
| electric outlet is unavailable. Plus you're you're using the | | | | If a post is leaning out of true vertical, then straighten it |
| free energy of the sun. | | | | back. |