| If you have decided to keep horses on your property | | | | enough that even a running horse will probably not |
| or farm, undoubtedly you are excited and nervous at | | | | become cut or injured in any way if it comes into |
| the same time. Keeping horses is a big responsibility | | | | contact with the rails. This sort of fencing is not subject |
| and considering the investment you will be making, you | | | | to rotting, warping or splintering and it is a very popular |
| certainly want to be sure that the animals stay within | | | | type of fence that many horse owners are opting for |
| their confines safely. | | | | today. |
| The most common type of horse fence is the | | | | A woven wire horse fence is a good choice for those |
| wooden variety. Although wooden fences look great, | | | | looking for a less expensive option. Be sure to choose |
| they do require a good deal of upkeep and | | | | a weave type so that the horses cannot get their |
| maintenance. The horses will surely chew on the | | | | hoofs caught in the wire. Check for the highest quality |
| fence in places so you must be sure to treat the | | | | woven wire fences you can find because horses can |
| wood with some non-toxic paint or stain. Wooden | | | | be very destructive at times and are prone to fleeing |
| fences also are prone to warping-especially if you are | | | | without much thought when they become spooked. |
| located in an area that is subjected to dramatic | | | | Another type of wire horse fencing is electrical. With |
| temperature changes. Wooden fencing also can be | | | | this type, the animal is given a low voltage shock |
| broken by hoofs and the weight of the animals, so be | | | | whenever contact is made with the fence. The shock |
| sure that you are willing to put in the time and effort to | | | | is harmless and teaches the horses to steer clear of |
| maintain a wooden fence before buying one. If you are | | | | the fence line. Using a tape or rope type fence in |
| set on a wooden fence, be sure that you choose high | | | | addition to an high quality electric fence is ideal for |
| quality, pressure treated wood fencing because it is | | | | holding mares. Stallions on the other hand tend to jump |
| designed to last for many years. | | | | so this type is generally not recommended for the |
| A choice many horse owners are going with these | | | | males of the species. |
| days is the flexible type of fence. This is a horse | | | | All types of horse fencing has its advantages and |
| fence that is made of wire that is either coated or | | | | disadvantages so be sure to take these into |
| uncoated. The high tensile wires are encapsulated | | | | consideration before deciding on the type to buy. It is |
| within a flexible rail that is positioned between the | | | | very important that the horses are able to see the |
| fence posts. The rails can stretch and act as a shock | | | | fence clearly so visibility is an vital factor to take into |
| absorber when a horse pushes up against it and once | | | | consideration. If you are going to go with a wire type |
| the horse leaves, the fence returns to its original | | | | fence, be sure to install a top railing so the horses can |
| position. The material in this type of fence is flexible | | | | focus on that when running. |