Vinyl Fencing Problems

Vinyl fencing is a popular choice for horse owners because of its traditional look, relative safety compared with some other fencing types and lack of maintenance compared with wood. Vinyl fencing has its problems, though, that need to be considered before you choose to install this type of fencing.

  1. Installation

    • Many of vinyl fencing's problems arise from incorrect installation, so having a professional put in your fence is a good idea. There are some types of fencing that do not need centered posts in order to be stable. Vinyl fencing, however, is not one of these. The fence rails are 16-feet long, so posts need to be sunk every 8 feet. Vinyl posts should be sunk in cement as well. Besides centering and cementing in the posts, you should install locking caps on the posts that snap into place rather than the standard glue-on caps. Horses easily remove the glue-on caps, and without the caps, the posts and warp and split.

    Maintenance

    • Though vinyl fencing might not need to be repainted or stained every few years as wood does, or have broken boards replaced as often, there is some maintenance required. The rails of vinyl fences develop a greenish-colored mildew over time that makes it harder for horses to see the rails and can weaken the rails. This mildew needs to be scrubbed away with a diluted bleach solution.

    Safety

    • Wooden rails might break more often than vinyl rails do, but vinyl rails are prone to shattering when they do break. Your horse can get shards embedded in his skin or hooves. Extreme cold worsens the tendency to shatter in vinyl rails. Also, some horses learn to push vinyl rails out of the slots in the posts that keep them up and can end up escaping and letting other horses out with them.

    Adding Electrified Fencing

    • Because of the safety problems outlined above, you should install an electrified wire, tape or braid to the inside of your vinyl fencing to keep horses from running into the fence or pushing against it. Kyle Karnosh, one of the barn managers interviewed for the "Dressage Today" article "Fence 'Em In," recommends placing the electrified part between the third and fourth top rails.

    Costs

    • The cost of vinyl fencing is about the same as all-wood or vinyl-coated wood fencing products, making it one of the most expensive fencing options available. The cost given in Elizabeth Elkins's article "Fence for Security and Value" is between $7 to $15 per foot of material. At the same time, the cost can rise if you choose to be safe and have your vinyl fencing installed professionally because of how carefully vinyl needs to be installed.