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Fence, Friends & Horses

Ah, the fence is a beautiful creature full of strength and understanding. Like an old friend, we rely on the fence to perform and hold a bond of trust. Your fence can be a comforting friend or a bitter enemy.

Admitting you have a fencing problem is the first step. While there are no formal clubs with weekly meetings, your peer group provides meaningful insight on your requirements. Slipping your problem into conversation, you find a life of love-hate fence tips. After a few days, you sit sorting it all out. You've bared your soul and you now have 12 opinions and each is different as day is night. While you have not a clue where to begin, you've certainly gained an insight into what you want and don't want.

Now you are ready for the second - draw up a plan. This is a personal journey that only you can travel. Figure out where you want to go and actually what you want. Are you separating fields for the pasture rotation? When the weather turns nasty, have you allowed for a mud area? Is the fence temporary or permanent? Have you allowed for safety factors? Do you want a painted look without the painting? It can take as much effort to make a good fence as it does to make a bad one.

Consider the limitations of the land when deciding what materials you intend to use. The first thing I ponder is what is under the soil. Tensile fences require excellent corner and brace posts. The ability to establish good anchorage is essential. With no limitations, high tensile options are versatile and effective fences eliminate costly on going maintenance and material replacement of traditional post and board fence. Usually, you will find tensile fences attach to the line posts so that an animal fence collision allows the whole fence to stretch and absorb the impact. Rather than a rigid barrier, the fence line acts as a giant elastic bending to sudden collision and then returning to its original form. 

After removing trees and branches for the "ice storm" of 1998, this permanent fence type performed to expectations and only required tightening to regain its functionality. Visibility is the utmost concern of horse fence safety. ExWire and Flex Rail are unique high tensile products designed for safe containment. Encased in a polymer plastic, the sight solidity is increased while eliminating the sharpness of the wire. Using a spinning jenny, these coils are easy to unwind and install. A decision to use Flex Rail adds a wooden board appearance to the fence without the traditional rotting, breaking and painting. Used alone or together, these alternatives provide the unique qualities sought in a containment area: longer life, higher strength, lower cost, maintenance ease, versatile operation and enjoyable installation.

Lacking either the ability or will to install a permanent fence, there are other options available. Using wide band tape will make a visual impact on the containment area boundaries. Among the electric options you may choose wire, strand, tape, rope or braid. I have listed them from least to most desirable. The choice of which option you choose will depend on your intentions, layout and budget. Protek Braid provides you the advantages of a permanent and a temporary fence. A real advancement to temporary stranded electric, Braid is a tightly woven nylon braid that weaves stainless steel wires through it. With insulators, connectors and tensioners, Braid is stretched adding strength to your fence. Either semi permanent or temporary fences are an excellent application of Protek Braid.

Problem areas of an electric fence are limited and usually easy to find. Naturally, you start at the existing wire. Is the wire free from grounding and able to carry the electric load? Energizers are next on the list. Is it producing the required output for the shock? Some units will have a display telling you if they are obtaining the required electrical output. Test the energizer with your voltmeter or spouse to establish the actual output. Once you are satisfied with the reading or the screaming, go along the fence line to find the output reading at various points. A drop in the reading tells you there is a short or a problem with the wire. My next area to investigate is the "ground" contact of the energizer. Lacking a good ground diminishes the overall effective output. Usually two to found ground rods will accomplish this requirement. If your soil is dry, you will require a modification to your grounding technique. Choice of electric fencing for pastures and paddocks is commonly a classical working fencing option. In public access to training areas, paddock, etc. try to diminish the chances of spooking a horse and causing injury to a person or animal by using cutoff switches when appropriate.

As horse owners, a safe fence is a necessity for your horse, visitors and neighbours. A decision to plan a layout and choose effective options to meet your needs is an excellent starting pint. Whether your fence requirements are permanent or temporary, there are options. Of course other considerations like lightning arresters to be aware of and implemented into your plan. Next year, when an acquaintance seeks your professional advice on fencing tips, invite them to look at your system fence. A fence planned with system means you can have faith in a friendly fence. Next time you look past your horses and you see the neighbours, just "smile and wave".