How to Build a Perfect Horse Fence

"There are many types of effective horse fencing, but there is no 'best' fence. Each fencing type has inherent trade-offs in its features," the PennState Agricultural Research and Cooperative Extension explains. While this may be true, the perfect fence, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. Effective fences can stand up to a herd of horses and visually halt their escape. Perfect fencing has holes large enough to keep a limb or head from getting stuck or small enough that hoofs can't penetrate it. Building the perfect fence requires extensive preplanning and knowledge of horses.

Things You'll Need

  • Fence material
  • Shovel or post-digger
  • Nails/screws
  • Cement (optional)
  • Gate (either purchased or handmade)
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Watch your horse while in the pasture and consider your horse's abilities and strengths. Determine whether your horse can jump a fence, leans over or under to get grass, bolts through the pasture regularly, and/or chews wood fencing.

    • 2

      Choose your fencing material based on your horse's habits. Wood or vinyl material should form the base of the fencing, because it is durable and hefty. A sturdy wood board needs to form the top rail. Other materials to consider include heavy chain link fencing, instead of wood or vinyl rails. Use materials such as electric wire to deter horses from testing the fence. Nevertheless, be advised that It will not hold back a frightened horse that is hell-bent on leaving.

    • 3

      Plan out your pasture. Consider the placement of the gate and the size of the pasture. Measure the perimeter. To prevent your horse from jumping, design a fence between 5 and 8 feet high, with a bottom clearance of 8 to 12 inches, along with either 3 inches or 12 inches between horizontal bars. Purchase your materials. Remember to use round posts, which will not snag the horse.

    • 4

      Dig or use a post-digger to make the post holes. Each hole should be at least 2 or 3 feet deep. Space holes between 8 and 12 feet apart, depending on the fence material you choose. Place the post in the ground. Add mixed cement, if desired. Refill each hole with soil.

    • 5

      Nail or slide the horizontal building materials into place, depending on your chosen fencing. Remember to nail from the outside of the pasture.

    • 6

      Install a gate, per the manufacturer's instructions, or create your own with some heavy-duty hinges, a latch and five pieces of wood. Four pieces of wood form the perimeter of the gate. Secure them with screws or nails. The fifth board crosses from top right to bottom left or top left to bottom right. Secure with screws or nails. Add both hinges to one side and the latch to the other. Attach the gate to the posts by securing the hinges with screws.

    • 7

      Add electric wire or brightly colored nylon strips, depending on your horse. It is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions when installing electric fencing.