Types of Horse Fencing

Whether you are a new horse owner or a long time equine companion, fencing for your horse is always a concern. You may have a small acreage that requires minimal fencing, or, perhaps, you have several horse acres that need fencing to separate off stallions from geldings, and mares from weaning foals. Whatever your situation, you may find the right fencing for you among the following types of horse fencing.

Smooth wire fencing is perhaps the most common type used when it comes to sectioning off areas. Using it with three or four strands strung between T-posts, you can outline a pasture or paddock. Smooth wire has high risks of possible injury. If a horse gets its leg caught in the fence, or slides it underneath, the smooth wire can slice through the skin with ease.

Electric fencing can be a horseman's best friend. It is increasing in popularity due to its versatile nature and the ease of combining it with other types of fencing Using either a battery or solar power, electric fence can be put anywhere. It sends an electric shock to horses when touched, teaching them to stay put and not cross that line. Electric fence comes in all colors and sizes.

Wood fencing is versatile and can be cut and painted to suit any need. It is good for use by roadways, highly traveled driveways or ranch accesses. Woods fencing does have its downside, however. Wood rots. The logs split and crack, and paint can peel. Nails can pop out and embed in a horses hoof, or come loose and cut your horse. If you are wanting long term fencing with minimal upkeep, wood is not for you.

There are two kinds of PVC fencing, soft and hard. Soft PVC is much like electric fencing. It is bendable, yet durable. It comes in thin strips to be used mainly as dividers around paddocks. Hard PVC is the type most often used by horse owners and can be cut and made to look like wood, but there is no painting involved. PVC isn't nearly as strong as wood, but the upkeep is minimal.

Horse panels, also sometimes called no-climb panels, provide a secure area for your horse. Horse panels deter people from slipping under fences or climbing gates to get in with your horses and can keep out debris that passing motorists toss out their windows. Horse panels can be attached to wood posts cemented in the ground, or T-posts. As with all fencing, use caution with horse panels as the holes are large enough for a pawer to stick his hoof through and receive a bad cut. These are best used to outline a pasture rather than separate horses.

While pipe-and-cable is normally seen in dairies and feedlots, it can be used for horse fencing as well. It isn't cheap to install; however, you won't have to worry about replacing the pipes once they are in the ground. Like all fencing, there is some danger to horses as they can get their legs stuck between pipes, which don't bend or break.