Choosing the right type of fencing for your property is the most crucial factor in setting a barn or a horse facility. Not only will the fence offer security for your perimeter property but also the security of your horse pastures. So whether you are putting a new fence structure or renovating the old one, you will have various options at hand. These many choices available for farm fencing may be daunting. Here are some tips that will help you establish your priorities and set your budget to get the right fence.
- Evaluate Your Budget
Economics largely influence the choices for the type of fence you’d take. People with large ranches spanning hundreds of acres to thousands may opt for inexpensive fencing. Evaluate your budget upfront and set the amount you are willing to spend on the fence. If the budget is tight, you can break it down to “the must-haves” and “the do later” projects. Establish your priorities and set your budget right for a good fence for the pastures.
- Who Lives In The Pastures?
Mostly a common old gelding group of horses is less likely to go out of the fence. The active young horses are very likely to test the boundaries of the fence. If you are likely to introduce new horses to the herd, you would like to bring up a strong fence. New members are likely to test the boundaries of the fence and plan escape attempts. But if you have the same horses who have lived together and will live together in years, a simple fence is good for you.
- Maintenance Cost
Some maintenance expenses are higher than initial capital investments. A well-built fence will stay strong for years with little cost of maintenance. Electric fences need to be checked regularly to ensure the current isn’t shorting out. Wooden fences need to be checked to see if the nails have pooped out of the boards. If certain fencing materials have high costs in your time and capital, those materials are beyond your reach, even if you can initially afford them.
- Fencing Size And Materials
There are various types of fencing materials to choose from; wood boards, metals, barbed and electric wires. However, barbed wires are discouraged since they can bring a lot of harm to the horses. Topography and weather are some of the factors to consider when choosing fencing materials. Wooden fencing might not be a good idea if your pastures are prone to flooding. You will also have to pick the height of the fence and the width of the gate. Also, be careful on the side the gate will be swinging.
- Type of Pastures or Turnout
Horses in large fields are less likely to test the strength of the pasture fences. But smaller fields have to have strong pasture fences. If you have a small field, you need to construct a strong fence and a large one that looks more like a physical barrier. The quality of the pasture grazing also plays a role in the turnout. Horses that have high-quality grazing pasture are contented and would less likely test the fence.
Conclusion
There are other considerations such as gates and whether you want to keep some animals out as well. But considering the above factors is very important for a high-quality fence a high-quality fence for your horse pastures. Include the safety of your horses and ponder the cost and how to have the best fence for the best price. Some fencing materials are cheaper today, but tomorrow they will be seeking replacement and maintenance at a higher cost.
