Do I have the right fence?

Horse fencing can be the most attractive
features of a horse facility. But not all fence
is suitable for horses. Fencing is a
major capital investment that should
be carefully planned before construction.
A fence should keep horses on
the property and keep away nuisances
such as dogs and unwanted visitors.
Fences aid facility management by
allowing controlled grazing and segregating
groups of horses according
to sex, age, value, or use.
Well-constructed and maintained
fences enhance the aesthetics and
value of a stable facility, which in
turn complements marketing efforts.
Poorly planned, haphazard, unsafe,
or unmaintained fences will detract
from a facility’s value and reflect poor
management. Good fences can be
formal or informal in appearance, yet
all should be well built and carefully
planned. Many experienced horse
owners will relay stories about the
savings for cheaper, but unsafe, horse
fence (barbed wire, for example)
eventually being paid for in veterinary
bills to treat injured horses.
Often, more than one kind of
fence is used at a facility. Different
fences might be installed for grazing
pastures, exercise paddocks, riding
areas, or for securing property lines.
Land topography influences the look,
effectiveness, and installation of fencing.
Consider different horse groups.
Stallions, weanlings, mares, mares
with foals, and geldings all have different
fencing requirements.
Pasture use may range from exercise
paddocks (corrals) to grazing
or hay production. Paddock layout
should allow for ease of management,
including movement of horses,
removal of manure, and care of
the footing surface. Pasture design
should allow field equipment, such
as mowers, manure spreaders, and
baling equipment, to enter and maneuver
easily. This will reduce fence
damage by machinery and the time
needed to work in the field.

Next week I will talk about the importance of using the correct fense posts.

Until next week.......Happy Trails.