Fencing

ThorArb · 09-27-2006, 08:49 PM

Im tired of our electric fencing. Really, tired of it.

I got a phone call once while I was away from my sister in law (she is taking care of my horses for me until I get back) saying that the electric fence is off, doesn't know how to fix it and the boys managed to get loose and pester the neighbors. Needless to say they weren't happy about it and called the cops for cryin out loud. But I don't blame them.

The electric fence has been faulty since we installed it, not long ago. It is 5 strands of smooth wire. I hate it. The horses generally respect it and stay clear of it. But once they figure out its off, then just climb through it and pester everyone and everything. Ok so I spoiled them and now they think every human being is a walking treat machine.

Anyhow, now Im considering changing fencing to something better and able to KEEP my boys inside.

Field fencing? I was thinking of doing that and keeping a strand of electric on top so they will stay off of it. But in the case that the electric fence gets faulty again, they can't climb through it and stay inside the pasture until I get it cut back on again.

Before our electric, we had 4 strands of barbwire. Which I promptly removed because I dont want MY horses in it.

What kind of maintance do you do with field fencing? Im having regular problems with electric and am tired of having to fix it all the time.

Not to mention Zippy is entirely too playful and has broken strands before.

I figure this fencing won't have me out there all the time?

Help?

Since I am out of state and can't come to fix the fence this time, I had to help her through the process of getting it working again via cell phone! Not very fun at all and needless to say we were both getting fustrated. At least the fence is turned back on though.

Brittany

Lopin · 09-27-2006, 09:00 PM

We have 3 board oak fencing and I absolutely love it. We also have one large baby pasture that is the Red Brand Diamond Mesh fencing with a board on the top for visibility. It's great because if the babies run into, the just bounce right off!

Now I know you don't have babies, but it sounds like you have a few rambunctious horses and I have yet to see any horse be able to break through this fence.

Here is the link: http://www.redbrand.com/products/pro...=2&productID=5

My vet has this fencing and she loves it. You'd probably want to run a hot wire along the top to keep them off the fence tho.

http://www.rammfence.com/horse/fence...uarterinch.htm

**taelesean** · 09-27-2006, 10:33 PM

The no-step diamond wire with a single board on top is very popular around here, especially with a strand of hot-tape on the inside of the board. the board not only make it more visible, it keeps the mesh from sagging. The hot tape is usually located just above and inside the board.

For a quick fix on your smooth wire, get some fence spreaders to hold the wires at even distances - this will help keep the horses from crawling through it as easily. Also, since you are using 5 strands, you might consider turning off the bottom strand - its probably most responsible for bleeding alot of the charge off your fence.

ThorArb · 09-27-2006, 11:47 PM

You ought to see the little terds the instant they figure its off. And you know who tells them its off? Raine! She is always testing the fence, once its off she pushes, stretches and steps right through the strands. I watched her once when I couldn't figure out how in the heck she kept escaping!

Not to mention, I do plan on having several foals in the near future. I hated putting the babies we've had before out there. Had one get stuck and zapped until I saw and came running out there. Since I haven't put babies in it until after they were weanlings and most of the time they were stall kept.

I like the look of that diamond wire fencing. Babies wouldn't be able to stick a foot through and looks sturdy. Not to mention has to be a little easier on the eye than 5 strands of hot wire.

Brittany

ron · 09-28-2006, 06:18 AM

heavy gauge stock panels or hog panels....about a buck a foot.
galvanized and wont rust
some don't like em because the openings are large, but the hog panels are much closer together at the bottom.
I put mine in with 4X4 wood posts concreted in on 8ft centers. the panels are 16ft long
finished fence for less that 2 bucks a foot (less my slave labor of course) and the horses will/can not go through it and it lasts a long long time.

**Range** · 09-28-2006, 07:12 AM

Like ron said, we use cattle panel on our foaling pasture. The squares are a bit large, but baby hooves can go through and come right back out again. Protection from predators. Only thing I don't like is the sharp edges where the panel was cut. I would make sure those are covered by something, the post or an extra board. We've had some major injuries because we didn't know better...

I actually like my electric fence, but my fence tester mare has been gone a while now, to a new home with new fences to test!

ron · 09-28-2006, 08:39 AM

Quote:

but my fence tester mare has been gone a while now

that's what kids are for

HEY BOY....go grab ahold a dat fence

**Orchid** · 09-28-2006, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ron

Quote:

but my fence tester mare has been gone a while now

that's what kids are for

HEY BOY....go grab ahold a dat fence

Or husbands - when your husband is an electrician, he is used to getting shocked.

To tell you the truth, I have high tensile smooth wire electric and really have no trouble with it whatsoever. The only time it's off is when I unplug it and forget to plug it back in or a tree falls on it, which has only happened a couple of times.

I'd love to have a safer, more expensive fence, but just can't afford it.

Edited because apparently my grammar sucks today.

**taelesean** · 09-28-2006, 09:03 AM

Electric fences would work better if horses weren't so durned smart. My riding instructor has a horse that will drop branches on the hot wire. He's figured out that a two or three branches will drain enough of the bite out of the fence that he can stand to snap the tape. Gets my riding instructor really steamed when she sees him trotting accross the pasture with a fresh branch in his mouth. He'd do it more often, but he's used up all the branches within his reach - now he has to wait for the weather to drop them off the trees.

ThorArb · 09-28-2006, 09:11 AM

Sounds like something Raine would do!

Togan generally leaves the fences alone, but once Raine shows everyone its off, he tries to fit his big bulk in between strands to get out just like she did.

Good thing he doesn't freak out if he gets stuck!

Sandy, the mini, is the ONLY one I dont ever have to worry about escaping. Go figure!

Brittany

ron · 09-28-2006, 11:35 AM

funny about that

our mini stallion was the only one we worried about

he would push, push, push and work a corner till the bottom corner was getting loose and then just keep pushing till it peeled up enough, popped the staples, to wiggle through....dang little studs.

went to fence staples that were barbed slightly, like a fish hook, and that stopped the problem

farmergal · 09-29-2006, 02:17 AM

My dream fence would be post and rail with field fence. Looks with function. Ah someday! Till then I have field fence. Darn horses think it's a great

scratch but none have escaped. I need to hot wire it. That'll teach em.

ThorArb · 09-29-2006, 11:00 AM

I want it like that too. Luckily the area I have to fence off itsn't really all that big. Maybe we can manage it, have to look at the budget though. I do like field fencing with the rail though. Looks sharp, but Id still put the strand of hot wire on top just to keep Raine off the boards (she loves to crib no matter what I do!

).

Brittany

09-27-2006, 08:49 PM
ThorArb Kid Safe Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Conyers, GA Posts: 5,773	Fencing Im tired of our electric fencing. Really, tired of it. I got a phone call once while I was away from my sister in law (she is taking care of my horses for me until I get back) saying that the electric fence is off, doesn't know how to fix it and the boys managed to get loose and pester the neighbors. Needless to say they weren't happy about it and called the cops for cryin out loud. But I don't blame them. The electric fence has been faulty since we installed it, not long ago. It is 5 strands of smooth wire. I hate it. The horses generally respect it and stay clear of it. But once they figure out its off, then just climb through it and pester everyone and everything. Ok so I spoiled them and now they think every human being is a walking treat machine. Anyhow, now Im considering changing fencing to something better and able to KEEP my boys inside. Field fencing? I was thinking of doing that and keeping a strand of electric on top so they will stay off of it. But in the case that the electric fence gets faulty again, they can't climb through it and stay inside the pasture until I get it cut back on again. Before our electric, we had 4 strands of barbwire. Which I promptly removed because I dont want MY horses in it. What kind of maintance do you do with field fencing? Im having regular problems with electric and am tired of having to fix it all the time. Not to mention Zippy is entirely too playful and has broken strands before. I figure this fencing won't have me out there all the time? Help? Since I am out of state and can't come to fix the fence this time, I had to help her through the process of getting it working again via cell phone! Not very fun at all and needless to say we were both getting fustrated. At least the fence is turned back on though. Brittany __________________ Have a Appy New Year!

09-27-2006, 09:00 PM
Lopin Coming two Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Home of Brett Favre Posts: 1,723	We have 3 board oak fencing and I absolutely love it. We also have one large baby pasture that is the Red Brand Diamond Mesh fencing with a board on the top for visibility. It's great because if the babies run into, the just bounce right off! Now I know you don't have babies, but it sounds like you have a few rambunctious horses and I have yet to see any horse be able to break through this fence. Here is the link: http://www.redbrand.com/products/pro...=2&productID=5 My vet has this fencing and she loves it. You'd probably want to run a hot wire along the top to keep them off the fence tho. http://www.rammfence.com/horse/fence...uarterinch.htm __________________ Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway.

09-27-2006, 10:33 PM
taelesean Administrator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 5,756	The no-step diamond wire with a single board on top is very popular around here, especially with a strand of hot-tape on the inside of the board. the board not only make it more visible, it keeps the mesh from sagging. The hot tape is usually located just above and inside the board. For a quick fix on your smooth wire, get some fence spreaders to hold the wires at even distances - this will help keep the horses from crawling through it as easily. Also, since you are using 5 strands, you might consider turning off the bottom strand - its probably most responsible for bleeding alot of the charge off your fence. __________________

09-27-2006, 11:47 PM
ThorArb Kid Safe Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Conyers, GA Posts: 5,773	You ought to see the little terds the instant they figure its off. And you know who tells them its off? Raine! She is always testing the fence, once its off she pushes, stretches and steps right through the strands. I watched her once when I couldn't figure out how in the heck she kept escaping! Not to mention, I do plan on having several foals in the near future. I hated putting the babies we've had before out there. Had one get stuck and zapped until I saw and came running out there. Since I haven't put babies in it until after they were weanlings and most of the time they were stall kept. I like the look of that diamond wire fencing. Babies wouldn't be able to stick a foot through and looks sturdy. Not to mention has to be a little easier on the eye than 5 strands of hot wire. Brittany __________________ Have a Appy New Year!

09-28-2006, 06:18 AM
ron Started Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 2,648	heavy gauge stock panels or hog panels....about a buck a foot. galvanized and wont rust some don't like em because the openings are large, but the hog panels are much closer together at the bottom. I put mine in with 4X4 wood posts concreted in on 8ft centers. the panels are 16ft long finished fence for less that 2 bucks a foot (less my slave labor of course) and the horses will/can not go through it and it lasts a long long time. __________________ Well now boogie little baby, boogie woogie all night long. A haw, haw, haw, haw, a haw.

09-28-2006, 07:12 AM
Range Super Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Back of Beyond Posts: 5,889	ron Like ron said, we use cattle panel on our foaling pasture. The squares are a bit large, but baby hooves can go through and come right back out again. Protection from predators. Only thing I don't like is the sharp edges where the panel was cut. I would make sure those are covered by something, the post or an extra board. We've had some major injuries because we didn't know better... I actually like my electric fence, but my fence tester mare has been gone a while now, to a new home with new fences to test! __________________ If it harms none, do what you will.

09-28-2006, 09:03 AM
taelesean Administrator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 5,756	Electric fences would work better if horses weren't so durned smart. My riding instructor has a horse that will drop branches on the hot wire. He's figured out that a two or three branches will drain enough of the bite out of the fence that he can stand to snap the tape. Gets my riding instructor really steamed when she sees him trotting accross the pasture with a fresh branch in his mouth. He'd do it more often, but he's used up all the branches within his reach - now he has to wait for the weather to drop them off the trees. __________________

09-28-2006, 09:11 AM
ThorArb Kid Safe Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Conyers, GA Posts: 5,773	Sounds like something Raine would do! Togan generally leaves the fences alone, but once Raine shows everyone its off, he tries to fit his big bulk in between strands to get out just like she did. Good thing he doesn't freak out if he gets stuck! Sandy, the mini, is the ONLY one I dont ever have to worry about escaping. Go figure! Brittany __________________ Have a Appy New Year!

09-28-2006, 11:35 AM
ron Started Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 2,648	funny about that our mini stallion was the only one we worried about he would push, push, push and work a corner till the bottom corner was getting loose and then just keep pushing till it peeled up enough, popped the staples, to wiggle through....dang little studs. went to fence staples that were barbed slightly, like a fish hook, and that stopped the problem __________________ Well now boogie little baby, boogie woogie all night long. A haw, haw, haw, haw, a haw.

09-29-2006, 02:17 AM
farmergal Seasoned Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: New York Posts: 4,897	My dream fence would be post and rail with field fence. Looks with function. Ah someday! Till then I have field fence. Darn horses think it's a great scratch but none have escaped. I need to hot wire it. That'll teach em. __________________

09-29-2006, 11:00 AM
ThorArb Kid Safe Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Conyers, GA Posts: 5,773	I want it like that too. Luckily the area I have to fence off itsn't really all that big. Maybe we can manage it, have to look at the budget though. I do like field fencing with the rail though. Looks sharp, but Id still put the strand of hot wire on top just to keep Raine off the boards (she loves to crib no matter what I do! ). Brittany __________________ Have a Appy New Year!