How to Fence a Horse Pasture

One of the most challenging issues of keeping horses is properly fencing their habitat. Keeping the horses safe, while choosing the best fence possible for your budget, requires a good deal of education and foresight. Since fencing can come in such a huge variety of types and costs, the more you know about your choices, the better the choices you can make.

Things You'll Need

  • Auger or Post-hole digger
  • Posts
  • Nails
  • Clips
  • Wire, Boards, or Vinyl Fencing
  • Fencing tool
  • Fence Stretcher
  • Cement
  • Stakes
  • String
  • Hammer
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Instructions

  1. How to Fence a Horse Pasture

    • 1

      Measure your pasture and mark your corners with your stakes. Using your post hole digger or your auger, dig your post holes for your corner posts to a depth of at least 36 inches.

    • 2

      Set your corner posts in concrete and allow them to set for at least 72 hours. Your corner posts must be the strongest parts of your fence, so they must be the heaviest possible wooden posts or else metal posts.

    • 3

      Run a string from corner post to corner post, and tie it off at about six inches above the ground. Make sure the string is taut.

    • 4

      Place your fence posts every eight to ten feet from corner post to corner post. If you are using wooden fence posts, you will need to set them in concrete to a depth of 18 inches or more, and allow them to set for at least 72 hours.

    • 5

      Attach your fencing wire or vinyl fencing to the corner post and stretch it to the opposite corner post. Using your fencing tool and fence stretcher, tighten the fence material until it is taut against the fence posts. If you are using wooden boards, nail them into the fence posts using heavy nails.

    • 6

      Clip your fence line to your fencing posts at the top, middle, and bottom of the fence posts. You may attach them at additional points, but these three are essential.

    • 7

      Allow the fence to relax for 48 hours, and then check it again for tightness. If need be, tighten it again using your tools. The fence should be safe at this point to release your horses into the pasture.