After learning electronics in the US Navy in the 1980s Danny Donahue spent a lifetime in the construction industry. He worked with some of the finest construction talent in the Southeastern United States. Donahue has been a freelance writer since 2008, focusing his efforts on his beloved construction projects. His work can be found on eHow.com.
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Horse FencingSUPPLIES
- Round-point shovel
- Framing hammer
- 6 framing nails (16d)
- Bag of concrete mix
- Board (2 inches by 4 inches by 5 feet)
- 4-foot level
- 8-foot fence post
Overview
Any farmer can tell you that one of the most difficult parts of keeping large animals is trying to keep them inside of their fenced-in areas. Large farm animals including cows and horses can weigh thousands of pounds. Creatures this massive can go almost anywhere they want to go, so you have to figure a way to add a little more strength to your fence. One way to strengthen your fence is to install the posts into a concrete base.
Step 1
Dig a post hole 3 feet deep and 18 inches wide.
Step 2
Place the fence post into the hole, leaving 5 feet of exposed post above the ground. Brace your post by nailing your two boards to the top of your post, angling down to touch the ground.
Step 3
Use a level and maneuver the braces to get your post plumb (straight form side to side). Secure your post by pressing the ends of your braces firmly into the ground with your foot.
Step 4
Pour a bag of concrete into the hole around your post. Add the recommended amount of water and let it sit for at least 24 hours.
Step 5
Remove your braces and connect this post to your fence. You can fill in any gaps in your hole with the dirt that you dug out.
