Fencing options

[Bobthecob15]

Hi there, We are just about to start getting quotes for installing fencing round our small paddock next to our house, just under an acre. We aim to put one or 2 small ponies in it in a few years and ideally want to also ensure our dogs can't get through in the meantime.

We have no idea what the options are but the first guy who has come out recommended 4ft posts at the top and horse netting down to the ground. Does that sound sensible? He's not sent through the costs yet! Pros or cons of horse netting?

Thanks

 

[meesha]

Make sure he doesn't mean stock proof fencing, horses will get feet stuck !! You could have thick tensioned electric tape round the top. I have it, they don't chew it and you can get 40mm brown tape.. looks good !! Cheaper than rails.

 

[Bobthecob15]

Make sure he doesn't mean stock proof fencing, horses will get feet stuck !! You could have thick tensioned electric tape round the top. I have it, they don't chew it and you can get 40mm brown tape.. looks good !! Cheaper than rails.View attachment 107348

Yep it's the horse one, small holes! That's good to know, thanks!

 

[Muddy unicorn]

We’ve just had the fencing on our biggest field redone - 5.5 acres so a larger perimeter than yours. For us the most cost-effective option (but still eye-wateringly expensive) ended up being wooden posts with electric rope in front of the existing dry stone wall with a couple of lengths of post and rail with electric rope too.

If you’re not planning to use it for horses for a while have you thought about establishing a stock-proof hedge? Our other two fields have long-standing hedges already there - there are a few gaps which we’ll fill in with rails. It depends on your dogs if that would be ‘dog proof’ enough though - one of ours never goes through the hedge but one regularly dives in after a scent but thankfully doesn’t go any further

 

[tda]

If you want really dog proof, the horse wire netting, expensive but a good investment (from everyone I know who has it)
Some of our wooden post and rail is knackered already, (approx 10 yrs old) posts rotten at ground level, rather than wood I think I'll replace with the recycled plastic posts

 

[eggs]

I have the horse proof fencing with the small holes at the bottom and larger holes at the top. I also have a single strand of electric tape run across the top of it to stop the horses leaning over it. Definitely works to keep the dogs out (but not the deer ).

I've had it for about 18 years and not had any problems with it.

 

[PurBee]

If you want really dog proof, the horse wire netting, expensive but a good investment (from everyone I know who has it)
Some of our wooden post and rail is knackered already, (approx 10 yrs old) posts rotten at ground level, rather than wood I think I'll replace with the recycled plastic posts

I love the sound of recycled plastic posts as they last indefinitely, and no maintenance etc.Recent researches showed a lot more companies online offering them, so the price of them has dropped significantly now, than years ago prices.

As the job of properly permanently fencing a field is a big expensive job no matter what is used, i’d definitely invest in having the uprights plastic, and the cross pieces wood, or netting or thick tape…whatever suits the animals best. Then maintenance is easier to replace/repair netting/tape without the hassle of having to replace in-ground posts that have rotted.

Im in a wet climate and within 8yrs the ground posts commonly used are weakened and rotting. The years zoom by, so replacing them seems like an often job to do. I really like the sound of recycled plastic as a solution.

 

[Quigleyandme]

I’m getting my arena fenced with recycled PVC ranch rail. It’s very expensive but I would imagine wood post and rail would be pretty expensive too and I’ve been very disappointed by it in the past and wouldn’t have it again. Buy once cry once is my philosophy.