Moving horses home (They are home)

Shiloveshorses · 10-25-2006, 05:19 PM

I am so excited. My landlord is going to let me know tomorrow if we can move my horses home. I have a couple of acres behind my house and we are going to fence it off so I can bring them home. So now comes the main question, what type of fencing (other then barbwire) is inexpensive and good to use for this? Also I have a concrete slab back there that I am thinking of using to make a run in or a couple of stalls. Does anyone have any good layouts for that and what type of wood and such to use. It is plenty big enough to make two decent size stalls. I am going to seperate my mare and gelding since my mare is in foal (due anytime) and my gelding is a bit aggressive at feeding time. We want them seperated so the baby won't get hurt since Rocket can get aggressive at feeding time. Any suggestions can be helpful.

A J · 10-25-2006, 06:04 PM

I'm a huge fan of the wide electic tape, but you do have to buy the good stuff - the cheaper stuff won't hold up, but the more expensive ones work well. The horses can't really hurt themselves on it (bonus with a foal), it's very visible (horses and other animals), and if you take your time putting it up, it can look almost as nice as board fence.

I've also used "barbless" as a cheaper, lower maintence alternative with fairly good results, but a hot wire around the pasture is needed or they won't respect it enough (lean over it and stretch it out). Again, get a decent brand, cheap stuff is more likely to cause tangles if they get into it.

**Orchid** · 10-26-2006, 10:00 AM

I just put up a new fence at my house. I really, really wanted to use ElectroBraid but I just couldn't afford it. We ended up using barbless wire (two wires twisted together, what my electrician husband calls "twisted paired"). We did three strands, with the top and bottom wires electrified to keep the horses from leaning over or putting their heads under to reach the grass on the other side. Our corner posts and end posts are used railroad ties and the line posts are steel T-posts with round toppers/insulators to protect the horses.

It's not the ideal fence for safety, but my horses are all well-versed in respecting electric fence and there are seven acres for four horses, so there is no overcrowding. If I had a ratio of more than one horse to a half acre, I would use something safer than high tensile electric and steel posts. In fact I plan to replace the high-tensile as I can afford to with either the wide tape or ElectroBraid.

The key to making barbless wire safe for horses is to electrify it and make sure it is tight. If you've never put up fence before, feel free to PM me for some tips and how-to websites.

As far as a run-in or stalls go, we just built a run-in too. It is a pole-barn type building, 12 x 42, with the roof going from 12 feet in the front to 8 feet in the back. We built a four-foot stud wall between the poles on the three enclosed sides and covered it with 3/4 inch plywood to serve as kickboards. Ours has a sand floor. I am planning on buying a digital camera this weekend so maybe I can finally show you guys some pictures!

Fingers crossed that you can bring your horses home! How exciting!

Hideaway · 10-26-2006, 10:08 AM

I wanted to use electro braid myself but I found a cheaper alternative and love it. It's called endurasoft rope made by premier one fencing. A little finer than electrobraid but works the same. My pmu foals were playing and bolted into the fence one day, they came out with not even a brush burn. Had another jump and catch the top strand with his back feet. Didn't leave one mark. Couldn't tell you exact price but you can look online. Their customer service is wonderful.

Kelly4NC · 10-26-2006, 10:14 AM

I have just hotwire about 2 strands.

theloneappy · 10-26-2006, 11:11 AM

I've been pretty lucky with my fence. Two strands barbless wire. The horses dont lean on it. And its NOT electric. Wow I just relized how lucky I am.

You can see what I have for fence by our front gate. The round post is what we have for corners. Two of them with a cros piece. I just make sure the wire is on the inside (towards the horses) of the t-posts. then if they do lean on it they dont pop off the clips.I can get you some pics of how we did the suports on the corners if you want to see what we did. We just finshed putting up alot so its looks pretty good right now.

Lemme know anyone wants to see how we did ours.

Shiloveshorses · 10-26-2006, 11:51 AM

Yes please let me see pics. I only have about two acres or so to fence but I have never had mine home so I don't know for a fact how they do with fences. I know they don't go through barbwire nor wood but I can't afford to put up all wood fences and I really don't like barbwire, so I am looking for something reliable but cheap to hold until I move in the summer.

cindyf · 10-26-2006, 12:06 PM

I just use plain wire fence and electrify it. Since your mare is due I would probably do a double wire, but definitly electrify it, because that baby is going to hit it and if it's not electric he/she will realize real soon that they can break out! Plus, I would never take the chance that my horses wouldn't reach thru or test the waters.

Stall size should be no smaller then 10x12 for 1 horse, and for a mare and full should be min of 12x12.

theloneappy · 10-26-2006, 02:52 PM

Here are some pics of our fencing.

The supports next to the gate.

How we attached the top bar.

One of the funny corners we have.

The horses next to the fence to give you a veiw of the wire hight we did.

And i had to put this in was too cute.

Shiloveshorses · 10-26-2006, 06:23 PM

It's official my babies are COMING HOME!!!!!!!!

Now to get to work and build a fence. They are coming on next Wednesday. Man this rain better stop so I can get busy.

cowgirlmommy · 10-26-2006, 08:20 PM

Congratulations shilovehorses and I bet you are so happy! I am happy for you! And the above pictures by theloneappy look EXACTLY like my pastures's fencing! Wow! I have never seen such a close likeness before!

theloneappy · 10-26-2006, 09:48 PM

Hey cowgirl!

Great minds think alike!

Shiloveshorses · 10-30-2006, 09:54 AM

They are coming home today!!!!!!!!!!!

We worked all weekend and rigged up one section of a fence. It will be expanded on next week after I have a chance to walk that area and pull up everything that isn't horsey safe. People that lived in the house before I moved in through all there nasty, horrible trash down in the pasture. Roofing tiles, plastic, glass all that stuff down there. I am don't think I can get all the tiles up because alot of it is buried but I can get the plastic I can see and the glass and such. Will the horses try to eat stuff they shouldn't like the roofing stuff. One person told me they wouldn't just to make sure there isn't anything they will cut there feet on but they won't eat stuff they aren't supposed to. I wish I could get everything up but it is all buried. I am going to be splitting the pasture in two, so my mare and her foal (when it FINALLY gets born) will be on the side with no trash in there at all, and my gelding on the other side that has a bit more stuff buried. I am so excited they are coming home yippeee **doing the happy dance****

A J · 10-30-2006, 10:50 AM

Our horses never tried to eat things they shouldn't...but do go over it with a fine toothed comb every couple months - things will get worked out of the ground that weren't "there" before, so in those situations, constant rechecking is needed.

**gbarmranch** · 10-30-2006, 11:06 AM

Yipee - Welcome home you guys!!!

Shiloveshorses · 11-03-2006, 10:33 AM

They are home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is so great. I actually enjoy getting up super early to get them fed before I have to get my daughter up for school. I only got one section of fence up before they came but the rest is being put up tomorrow. They are on a strict feeding schedule now and it is so funny to watch them look up the hill when it is getting close to time for the evening meal. They are getting half a bale of hay twice a day because there isn't much grass. Is that enough? My mare is in foal and gets only 1 1/2 pound of 14% gain twice a day. Someone told me to limit her grain so the baby won't get to big because the stud's height is or was going to be bigger then Dandy's. And they said that could be bad. Can it be?
They are doing good with the fence. I went with the barbless wire that was shown in the pictures. So thanks for that suggestions.

10-25-2006, 05:19 PM
Shiloveshorses Yearling Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 789	Moving horses home (They are home) I am so excited. My landlord is going to let me know tomorrow if we can move my horses home. I have a couple of acres behind my house and we are going to fence it off so I can bring them home. So now comes the main question, what type of fencing (other then barbwire) is inexpensive and good to use for this? Also I have a concrete slab back there that I am thinking of using to make a run in or a couple of stalls. Does anyone have any good layouts for that and what type of wood and such to use. It is plenty big enough to make two decent size stalls. I am going to seperate my mare and gelding since my mare is in foal (due anytime) and my gelding is a bit aggressive at feeding time. We want them seperated so the baby won't get hurt since Rocket can get aggressive at feeding time. Any suggestions can be helpful. __________________ As long as you have faith you have everything.... lose faith you have nothing

10-25-2006, 06:04 PM
A J Greenbroke Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Vallejo, CA Posts: 3,476	I'm a huge fan of the wide electic tape, but you do have to buy the good stuff - the cheaper stuff won't hold up, but the more expensive ones work well. The horses can't really hurt themselves on it (bonus with a foal), it's very visible (horses and other animals), and if you take your time putting it up, it can look almost as nice as board fence. I've also used "barbless" as a cheaper, lower maintence alternative with fairly good results, but a hot wire around the pasture is needed or they won't respect it enough (lean over it and stretch it out). Again, get a decent brand, cheap stuff is more likely to cause tangles if they get into it. __________________ Try not, do. Do or do not. There is no try.

10-26-2006, 10:00 AM
Orchid Super Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 10,060	I just put up a new fence at my house. I really, really wanted to use ElectroBraid but I just couldn't afford it. We ended up using barbless wire (two wires twisted together, what my electrician husband calls "twisted paired"). We did three strands, with the top and bottom wires electrified to keep the horses from leaning over or putting their heads under to reach the grass on the other side. Our corner posts and end posts are used railroad ties and the line posts are steel T-posts with round toppers/insulators to protect the horses. It's not the ideal fence for safety, but my horses are all well-versed in respecting electric fence and there are seven acres for four horses, so there is no overcrowding. If I had a ratio of more than one horse to a half acre, I would use something safer than high tensile electric and steel posts. In fact I plan to replace the high-tensile as I can afford to with either the wide tape or ElectroBraid. The key to making barbless wire safe for horses is to electrify it and make sure it is tight. If you've never put up fence before, feel free to PM me for some tips and how-to websites. As far as a run-in or stalls go, we just built a run-in too. It is a pole-barn type building, 12 x 42, with the roof going from 12 feet in the front to 8 feet in the back. We built a four-foot stud wall between the poles on the three enclosed sides and covered it with 3/4 inch plywood to serve as kickboards. Ours has a sand floor. I am planning on buying a digital camera this weekend so maybe I can finally show you guys some pictures! Fingers crossed that you can bring your horses home! How exciting! __________________ I have nothing witty or even charming to say at this point.

10-26-2006, 10:08 AM
Hideaway Started Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: PA Posts: 2,037	I wanted to use electro braid myself but I found a cheaper alternative and love it. It's called endurasoft rope made by premier one fencing. A little finer than electrobraid but works the same. My pmu foals were playing and bolted into the fence one day, they came out with not even a brush burn. Had another jump and catch the top strand with his back feet. Didn't leave one mark. Couldn't tell you exact price but you can look online. Their customer service is wonderful.

10-26-2006, 10:14 AM
Kelly4NC Greenbroke Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Clyde, NC > 9 miles of friendly people, plus 1 old crab Posts: 3,242	I have just hotwire about 2 strands. __________________ *Support the wild horses on North Carolina Outer Banks* http://www.corollawildhorses.com/

10-26-2006, 11:11 AM
theloneappy Yearling Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: North Dakota Posts: 712	I've been pretty lucky with my fence. Two strands barbless wire. The horses dont lean on it. And its NOT electric. Wow I just relized how lucky I am. You can see what I have for fence by our front gate. The round post is what we have for corners. Two of them with a cros piece. I just make sure the wire is on the inside (towards the horses) of the t-posts. then if they do lean on it they dont pop off the clips.I can get you some pics of how we did the suports on the corners if you want to see what we did. We just finshed putting up alot so its looks pretty good right now. Lemme know anyone wants to see how we did ours. __________________ Life isn\'t like a box of chocolates . .. it\'s more like a jar of jalapenos. What you do today, might burn your butt tomorrow.

10-26-2006, 11:51 AM
Shiloveshorses Yearling Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 789	Yes please let me see pics. I only have about two acres or so to fence but I have never had mine home so I don't know for a fact how they do with fences. I know they don't go through barbwire nor wood but I can't afford to put up all wood fences and I really don't like barbwire, so I am looking for something reliable but cheap to hold until I move in the summer. __________________ As long as you have faith you have everything.... lose faith you have nothing

10-26-2006, 12:06 PM
cindyf Yearling Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: southern mn Posts: 641	I just use plain wire fence and electrify it. Since your mare is due I would probably do a double wire, but definitly electrify it, because that baby is going to hit it and if it's not electric he/she will realize real soon that they can break out! Plus, I would never take the chance that my horses wouldn't reach thru or test the waters. Stall size should be no smaller then 10x12 for 1 horse, and for a mare and full should be min of 12x12.

10-26-2006, 02:52 PM
theloneappy Yearling Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: North Dakota Posts: 712	Here are some pics of our fencing. The supports next to the gate. How we attached the top bar. One of the funny corners we have. The horses next to the fence to give you a veiw of the wire hight we did. And i had to put this in was too cute. __________________ Life isn\'t like a box of chocolates . .. it\'s more like a jar of jalapenos. What you do today, might burn your butt tomorrow.

10-26-2006, 06:23 PM
Shiloveshorses Yearling Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 789	It's official my babies are COMING HOME!!!!!!!! Now to get to work and build a fence. They are coming on next Wednesday. Man this rain better stop so I can get busy. __________________ As long as you have faith you have everything.... lose faith you have nothing

10-30-2006, 11:06 AM
gbarmranch Administrator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mayberry Posts: 29,550	Yipee - Welcome home you guys!!! __________________ Quality Foundation Quarter Horses http://home.earthlink.net/~vpgann Life is God's most precious gift.. Live it in a manner that will bring Him joy!

10-26-2006, 08:20 PM
cowgirlmommy Long Yearling Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: The Rocky Mountains of British Columbia! Posts: 1,459	Congratulations shilovehorses and I bet you are so happy! I am happy for you! And the above pictures by theloneappy look EXACTLY like my pastures's fencing! Wow! I have never seen such a close likeness before! __________________ "The only way to begin again, is to first forget..." Colonel Francis Clay Mosby

10-26-2006, 09:48 PM
theloneappy Yearling Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: North Dakota Posts: 712	Hey cowgirl! Great minds think alike! __________________ Life isn\'t like a box of chocolates . .. it\'s more like a jar of jalapenos. What you do today, might burn your butt tomorrow.

10-30-2006, 09:54 AM
Shiloveshorses Yearling Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 789	They are coming home today!!!!!!!!!!! We worked all weekend and rigged up one section of a fence. It will be expanded on next week after I have a chance to walk that area and pull up everything that isn't horsey safe. People that lived in the house before I moved in through all there nasty, horrible trash down in the pasture. Roofing tiles, plastic, glass all that stuff down there. I am don't think I can get all the tiles up because alot of it is buried but I can get the plastic I can see and the glass and such. Will the horses try to eat stuff they shouldn't like the roofing stuff. One person told me they wouldn't just to make sure there isn't anything they will cut there feet on but they won't eat stuff they aren't supposed to. I wish I could get everything up but it is all buried. I am going to be splitting the pasture in two, so my mare and her foal (when it FINALLY gets born) will be on the side with no trash in there at all, and my gelding on the other side that has a bit more stuff buried. I am so excited they are coming home yippeee doing the happy dance** __________________ As long as you have faith you have everything.... lose faith you have nothing

10-30-2006, 10:50 AM
A J Greenbroke Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Vallejo, CA Posts: 3,476	Our horses never tried to eat things they shouldn't...but do go over it with a fine toothed comb every couple months - things will get worked out of the ground that weren't "there" before, so in those situations, constant rechecking is needed. __________________ Try not, do. Do or do not. There is no try.

11-03-2006, 10:33 AM
Shiloveshorses Yearling Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 789	They are home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is so great. I actually enjoy getting up super early to get them fed before I have to get my daughter up for school. I only got one section of fence up before they came but the rest is being put up tomorrow. They are on a strict feeding schedule now and it is so funny to watch them look up the hill when it is getting close to time for the evening meal. They are getting half a bale of hay twice a day because there isn't much grass. Is that enough? My mare is in foal and gets only 1 1/2 pound of 14% gain twice a day. Someone told me to limit her grain so the baby won't get to big because the stud's height is or was going to be bigger then Dandy's. And they said that could be bad. Can it be? They are doing good with the fence. I went with the barbless wire that was shown in the pictures. So thanks for that suggestions. __________________ As long as you have faith you have everything.... lose faith you have nothing