How to Install Horse Fencing
Fencing is an essential part of horse ownership. When looking at overall costs, the average horse owner will spend as much, if not more, money on fencing than on any actual barns or outbuildings provided for livestock. Fencing can be hugely complicated, as there dozens of different types of fencing and almost as many ways to install them. This article will give you some basics.
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Things You'll Need
- Lumber
- T-Posts
- Wire
- Electric fence charger
- Power tools
- Digging equipment
- Concrete
Instructions
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Installing horse fence
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1
Choose your fence materials. These could be everything from the simplest system of posts and electric wire or tape to barbed or smooth wire and T-posts, to wooden fence, to vinyl. The choices are many and varied, but the expense quickly adds up. So choose wisely.
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2
Set your corner posts. This is critical and must be done properly. The soil must be analyzed for the proper depth of the post, as well as the proper amount of concrete to use, and the tools acquired to dig the holes for the posts. Whether metal or wood, the posts must be the best material possible, and set at right angles to each other. Proper tightening of the posts to each other is an absolute necessity.
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3
Run your guide lines. From one corner post to the next, take your guide wire and run a straight line low to the ground, approximately four inches from the soil. You will use this to measure your fence posts.
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4
Plant your posts. Most people place them every ten feet, some place them at eight, but certainly you should not place them at an more than twelve feet. The exception to this would be high-tensile electric fencing, In which the posts are placed at farther distances than standard fencing.
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5
String your wire, apply your lumber, or apply your vinyl fencing. Again, there are many types of fencing, and all have their own methods of application. This is the most tedious task, as it requires applying tightening clips to each post, but this is also where the security of your fence is born, so take the time and do it right. Apply at least one strand of electric fence to any fence option you use, as it will train the horses to stay off your fence and extend your fence life.
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Tips & Warnings
Choose the best fence you can afford. The safety and security of your animals depends on it.
Always follow the precautions listed on any power tools you use.
