alternatives to wooden fencing?

[rebmw]

I am very lucky to have just had some stables built. Unfortunately the land we have is very wet in the winter so the stable yard is concreted and is quite a good size as I'm thinking that in the winters my two will spend quite a lot of time being "turned out" on the yard.
My question is, seeing as we all know that horses like to chew on wood, especially smart new expensive fencing, it would seem sensible to fence the yard with something other than wooden posts and rails.
Just wondered if anyone had any ideas or advice? I have no idea of costs for alternatives....
Also, to save on money my husband and I would like to do the work ourselves, so any practical tips would be welcome!!

 

[VictoriaEDT]

you could always have sawn post and rail and run electric rope over the top so they dont chew it?
Otherwise electric rope and posts for the whole lot?

 

[piebaldsparkle]

See I would post and rail, but run electric on extenders round the inside.

 

[HLB]

there is the plasic put together stuff it has wood inside i think but may be not very cost affective.

 

[VictoriaEDT]

my boys are often turned out on yard and dont chew it if they have plenty of hay to eat! (see post and rail in siggy)

 

[perfect11s]

yep ive got electric tape to keep them off the wooden fence too.. works well

 

[Tia]

Re-fencing is an on going thing on my farm. We are taking down all post and rail, and all stock fencing, and replacing it with vinyl fencing (you call it Stud Rail in the UK). I've been very impressed with this fencing, hence all fields will eventually be fenced in this, and if I steal any fields for pasture fields they will be fenced with the vinyl.

Here is a photo of two of my dust corrals, which have vinyl fencing separating the corrals from the pasture fields. I have the old post and rail separating the two corrals, but those fields are now totally separated by vinyl now.

Most of our fields have been done like this now. It comes with a 25 year guarantee. It has 3 strands of high tensile wire running through the vinyl and it is good for 6,000lb breakweight, so very very safe. It looks clean and smart at all times, and there is no upkeep.

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

I use the high tensile special horse mesh, the lux version so the holes are only 2 inch square in case I get any little uns.

Its fab as there is No chewing and the horses dont lean on it at all to get at stuff the other side, and they can see through it but they have never thought it wasnt there or anything like that. Im very happy with it. The only place I wouldnt use it would be right next to wibbly old trees in case they fell on it as the hi tension aspect means it might be more complicated to mend.

I find it a lot easier as checking it doesnt mean checking every post and rail, you can see if it is maintaining its integrity as it were.

Here is big chap next to it (he is 17 hand, the wire is 4 foot high). The 2 extra wires on top are for if we get something exotic to put in there! also to stop my Doberman jumping out as hes not livestock 100%.

 

[dieseldog]

If you are going to use electric don't use the tape. It just doesn't last. The wind flaps it, even if it is tight and then the tiny electric wires snap and it no longer works properly. We have found electric rope much better.

 

[JS65]

We are replacing our wooden fencing with this

www.vinylfence.co.uk

It isn't that much more than wood and no maintenence, as in painting and fixing.

If a horse hits it,head on, it bends and it doesn't shatter, it pops out.

Leahurst use it there.

 

[Gonetofrance]

Where did you get the horse mesh, and how much was it?
I'm trying to find an affordable way to fence 30 acres, that will keep my doberman in/out too!!
I love the fencing in Christiamas pic, I've seen it used on studs, but it's too pricey for me..........