How to Build a Wooden Horse Fence Gate

Horse fences are typically long, wooden plank structures painted white that decorate miles upon miles of green countryside. This type of fence is very costly both to build and to maintain. If you are able to afford one, however, the rugged beauty of a wooden horse fence is surpassed only by that of the horse itself.

Here are the steps necessary to build a wooden horse fence gate to match such a fence.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 X 8 wooden pine planking
• Outdoor enamel paint (white)
• Paint brush(es)
• Circular saw
• Battery-powered drill/driver
• Sawhorses
• 1-1/2" galvanized screws
• Exterior caulking
• (3) 8" wrought iron T-hinges
• (1) wrought-iron gate latch

1. Inspect the area along your horse fence where you have chosen for the gate to be installed. The ground should be reasonably level. The hinge post which will support the gate should be large and stout, in good condition, well-planted in the ground and plumb.

2. Measure the opening for the gate to determine how long the gate will be. (The would-be gate built in this article will be 5' tall X 6' long.)

3. Cut three planks 6 feet in length and four planks 5 feet in length.

4. (Utilize the sawhorses for this step.) Begin construction of the wooden horse gate by making a rectangle from two of the 5-foot vertical pieces and two 6-foot horizontal pieces. Create four square corners determined by two even-length diagonal measurements, then screw the pieces together. Use at least four screws in each corner.

5. Add a third rail. Another 6-foot plank runs parallel to the other two horizontal pieces. Attach it evenly in the middle between the top and bottom pieces.

6. Attach two more 5-foot vertical pieces at the outside edge, on top of the three planks to form a "sandwich" effect. The three horizontal boards should now be secured between two vertical planks, everything being tightly fastened with screws.

7. Now to add rigidity and support to the gate. Measure across the front of the gate in a diagonal direction from one top corner to the opposite bottom corner. Mark a new plank so that it fits perfectly between the two vertical board and fasten it in place with screws.

8. Turn the gate over and repeat Step 7 on the other side. Fasten the second diagonal piece between opposite corners. This forms a giant X-pattern.

9. Fill all screw head holes with exterior caulking or wood filler. Then prime and paint the gate with outdoor white paint.

10. Fasten the three T-hinges to one side of the gate. The hinges should be fixed wherever there is a horizontal crosspiece.

11. Attach the latch opposite the hinges. Your new wooden horse fence gate is now ready to hang!

Tips & Warnings

• When fastening the screws, sink the screw head approximately 1/4" below the surface of the board. The depression is later filled with caulking, thereby hiding the screw and creating a smooth, flush surface that your horse will appreciate!
• Vertical planks can be cut and fit in the center of the horse gate to simulate a vertical post, matching those along your fence line.

[tachic]

on 5/27/2009 Thanks for the steps on building a gate for horses.

[billips]

on 5/27/2009 Great article - your wooden horse gate certainly is attractive and since it serves a purpose, doubly so - 5* - B.

[athome]

on 5/26/2009 Easy and detailed instructions on building a wooden horse fence gate. 5*

[sonni57]

on 5/22/2009 Thanks for the detailed steps on building a gate for horses sounds like a lot of work.