Fencing...

[kimberleigh]

We are wanting to replace all the fencing where the horses are and having never had to do so Im wondering what is the best, whilst still being cost effective, option to go for?

Boundary of land is backed by open ditch drain with hedging on outer side so wanting something cheap and easy there as horses are very unlikely to ever try to get through it.

But up driveway, which borders field, and as internal boundary something more substantial (and aesthetically pleasing!) is my idea.

Post and rail would be nice as its smart to look at, but I'm unsure about the maintenance side of things?
Plus it wont keep our dogs out of the field, which isnt too big a deal as they dont bother the horses but it is handy if they physically cant get in as no chance of accidents then! Would need to run electric along top to discourage leaning/scratching etc.

I've been looking at tornado fencing or clipex for horses and I love that they're maintenance free...but wonder if I would be disappointed with overall appearance?! Keeps dogs out of the fields though.

Anyone have any plus/minus points to the above? Personal experiences? What height fence do you find works best? Etc etc etc

Horses are very mannerly in field if that helps! There are 4 acres which I would ideally split into 3 or 4 paddocks so always something to rest/rotate

 

[cauda equina]

We have P&R with 1 strand of electric round the top. Only the boundary is permanently fenced, I use electric to divide it up as necessary
The posts/rails were creosote treated before they went up, have been there 15 or so years, have had no maintenance and are as good as ever but it was vv expensive
Have you seen Stud Rail - wire and plastic so maintenance free but looks more like rails

 

[moodymare_1993]

Do you have mains electric? I would post and rail the boundaries with a top strand of tape to stop horses chewing and then have wooden posts with electric insulators and rope for dividing the fields. You could always put some of that clipex on the lower half of your post and rail on the boundaries to stop the dogs getting in. It would be more expensive method but it looks better than the tornado and by using post and rope to divide you would be saving there
Depending on size of your horses I would have all fencing a decent height to discourage jumping etc at least plus you want to make sure that if you get something bigger in future it will be substantial enough. It May mean you need 3 rails along tho which would add to the price. We just creosote our fencing every 5 years or so and they’re fine.

 

[kimberleigh]

We have P&R with 1 strand of electric round the top. Only the boundary is permanently fenced, I use electric to divide it up as necessary
The posts/rails were creosote treated before they went up, have been there 15 or so years, have had no maintenance and are as good as ever but it was vv expensive
Have you seen Stud Rail - wire and plastic so maintenance free but looks more like rails

Yes have been looking at that stud rail but have yet to find rough cost online!

The paddocks themselves will be post and electric rope

 

[kimberleigh]

Do you have mains electric? I would post and rail the boundaries with a top strand of tape to stop horses chewing and then have wooden posts with electric insulators and rope for dividing the fields. You could always put some of that clipex on the lower half of your post and rail on the boundaries to stop the dogs getting in. It would be more expensive method but it looks better than the tornado and by using post and rope to divide you would be saving there
Depending on size of your horses I would have all fencing a decent height to discourage jumping etc at least plus you want to make sure that if you get something bigger in future it will be substantial enough. It May mean you need 3 rails along tho which would add to the price. We just creosote our fencing every 5 years or so and they’re fine.

Yes there will be mains electric!

Thats exactly how my OH has said to do it actually, P&R and then clipex the boundaries. Luckily we only need 180m of P&R at the moment as everything else is bordered by ditches/hedging so wont require P&R. Have been quoted €1200 for the full 180m - 6' posts (one every 2.4m), and 3 rails. All creosoted. Horses are 17hh and 15hh - have never attempted to escape (17hh is new girl and she seems very good with the fencing thus far...)

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

I have 5 ft tornado fence along 2 boundaries, it's topped with half round rail in one paddock, then in the other 2 paddocks on that side I fixed wide tape above.
So fence is 6 ft high at the top and boundary v visible. I did this, despite there being a big ditch along one side, just to ensure safety.
No dogs been able to get in.
It's been in 6 years now and even when a huge oak squashed it 2 years ago, we were able to re-strain it back
My internal paddocks are all post and railed, with electric tape attached, the latter to prolong the life of the fences

 

[kimberleigh]

I have 5 ft tornado fence along 2 boundaries, it's topped with half round rail in one paddock, then in the other 2 paddocks on that side I fixed wide tape above.
So fence is 6 ft high at the top and boundary v visible. I did this, despite there being a big ditch along one side, just to ensure safety.
No dogs been able to get in.
It's been in 6 years now and even when a huge oak squashed it 2 years ago, we were able to re-strain it back
My internal paddocks are all post and railed, with electric tape attached, the latter to prolong the life of the fences

Thank you! Thats pretty good testamentto its strength having an oak fall on it!!

 

[eggs]

I've got horse stock fence (holes are smaller at the bottom so a hoof can't get caught) and larger at the top along some of my borders. Some years ago my neighbour's big beech tree came down over the fence and squashed it flat. Like TFF, once the tree was removed we were able to reuse the fencing that had been fallen on.

 

[kimberleigh]

I've got horse stock fence (holes are smaller at the bottom so a hoof can't get caught) and larger at the top along some of my borders. Some years ago my neighbour's big beech tree came down over the fence and squashed it flat. Like TFF, once the tree was removed we were able to reuse the fencing that had been fallen on.

Very good that it was able to reused!

My OH wants the P&R and then add the clipex whereas I think why not just clipex to begin with, decisions decisions!

 

[popsdosh]

Very good that it was able to reused!

My OH wants the P&R and then add the clipex whereas I think why not just clipex to begin with, decisions decisions!

Why would anybody risk clipex fencing with horses. Can they not see the danger? There are many .
Seen enough horses with various injuries due to wooden post! At least a staple will pull out eventually!