Fencing Your Horse Paddock

 

Horse owners invest a great deal of money into rugs for their horses on an annual basis, many of which are rapidly destroyed by their beloved horses and ponies rubbing against sharp objects in the field causing rugs to snag, rip and tear. If there is a way to endure your rugs lifespan then certainly it is worth knowing about. The problem can be easily rectified and does need to put you out of pocket.

When buying horse fencing, you will face many options. Each type of fencing has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, from cost to safety to ease of installation. This blog is going to talk through a number of fencing options that you may want to consider when buying fencing for your horses.

POST & RAIL FENCING

Wooden rail fencing is expensive, and also requires regular ongoing maintenance. The fencing must be sanded, primed, and painted as it ages, and broken or splintered boards must be replaced. You should also always check wooden fencing regularly to be sure that nails have not worked loose and that the fence posts are still secure. Wooden fencing, while strong, can also splinter and injure a horse if the horse runs into the fence. Post and rail fencing certainly looked the part although horses often have a tendency to chew the rails which results in your needing to often replace areas.

Post & rail fencing combined with an electrified metal strand of wire running around the top posts is an extremely popular and effective fencing combination. Putting a stop to any chewing of the rails, once a horse has been zapped they are unlikely to try it again. The electric fencing also prevents horses leaning or rubbing on the fencing causing it to loosen or break.

BARBED WIRE

Barbed wire is not a safe fencing for horses. Its barbs can quickly tear into a horses thin skin, and if a horse becomes tangled in barbed wire, the injuries can be devastating. Barbed wire has little visibility, meaning that the chances that a horse will become entangled in the fence are higher. Additionally, barbed wire requires regular maintenance to keep the fence tight and avoid slack.

If your field is already fenced with barbed wire or you dual graze with cattle then there are alternate options to reduce the risk of damage to your horse and its rugs on barbed wire. Electric fencing is extremely effective for horses when assembled correctly, a temporary electric fence can be erected approx 2 meters in from the barbed wire fencing to avoid any contact.

ELECTRIC FENCING

Temporary Electric Fencing

Electric fencing can be set up as a temporary containment fence, or in combination with wooden strainer posts at corners and ends, will act as a low cost semi-permanent fence. A temporary electric fence can be used for strip grazing, or for keeping horses away from dangerous areas such as near barbed wire or ditched and each other.

Permanent Electric Fencing

Permanent electric fencing i.e. post and electric rail costs between 25-30% of the cost of a normal Post and Rail fence and it can be erected in less than a quarter of the time. It looks good, cannot be chewed or used as an itching post. Once erected, temporary electric fencing may be linked on to it anywhere to create temporary paddocks.

The best thing of all is your rugs as completely safe from any rough edges and you shall certainly find they last longer.