How to Build a Cable Horse Fence

Cable is an effective horse fencing solution that is often combined with electricity to keep animals from leaning on it. Although no fence is 100% safe for a horse, cable is considered safer than barbed wire and easier to maintain than wood fencing. The heavier the cable, the stronger the fence will be. Many manufacturers have cable product designed specifically for the horse industry that combines cable with rubber coating to further prevent injury and enhance visual appeal.

Things You'll Need

  • Post pounder
  • Doweled wooden fence posts with tapered ends
  • Doweled rails
  • Cable
  • Measuring tape
  • Nails
  • Hammer
  • Insulators
  • Screw driver
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Instructions

  1. Install Fence Posts

    • 1

      Lay out posts along the proposed fence line with your desired distance between them. Horse fences usually have 8 to 12 feet between each post. Use either a tape measure or a pre-cut piece of wood laid between each post to ensure consistent spacing.

    • 2

      Tow the post pounder alongside the fence line and pound each post into the ground. Pound all of the posts to a uniform height. The posts should be pounded deep enough so that they are solid and cannot be moved back and forth by hand.

    • 3

      Install a wooden brace at the beginning and end of the fence line so that the last post cannot be pulled out over time by the tension on the cable. Pound an additional post 4 feet from an end post or on each side of a gate. Cut a four foot section of doweled rail and nail the ends into the sides of the pounded posts near the top of each post.

    Install the Cable

    • 4

      Mark the height of each piece of cable on the fence posts before attaching the cable insulators, maintaining a consistent height along the length of the fence. Nail as many insulators as required to each post at the desired heights, using termination insulators for end posts.

    • 5

      Unroll the cable along the length of the fence. Secure one end to the top termination insulator and walk the fence line, inserting the cable into the top insulator of each post as you go. Hand tighten the cable at the end with another termination insulator. Repeat until all levels of cable have been inserted into their respective insulators.

    • 6

      Tighten all of the termination insulators at one end until the cable is taut. If desired, an electric fencer can be installed with this fence to keep livestock away from it.