Fill hedge

[1luckylady]

My horse has just been moved to a new field by the livery yard owner, but one of the boundary hedges has a few bare areas and, therefore, exposes the barbed wire that would normally be buried in the middle of it. Has anyone got any ideas what I can do to make this safe ASAP? Electric fencing isn't really an option, unfortunately. I know many people will tell me to move yards, but this is the only yard near my home for many many miles.

 

[Sealine]

Depending upon how big the gaps are could you wedge a pallet in the hedge in front of the wire?

 

[Tiddlypom]

Why isn’t electric fencing an option? It would be the quickest, cheapest and most effective way to make the field horse proof. It can be temporary or permanent.

Otherwise bang in some wooden posts (you can do that by hand with a double handed post driver) and put some rails up in the gaps.

 

[Art Nouveau]

Dead hedging?
Or skinny posts and some planks of wood/rails. 2 inch stakes knock in really easily and also pull out of the ground fairly easily if you want to take them with you in the future

 

[Highmileagecob]

Take a look at 'hedge laying' on line and see if that is an option to bridge the gaps.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Why isn’t electric fencing an option? It would be the quickest, cheapest and most effective way to make the field horse proof. It can be temporary or permanent.

Otherwise bang in some wooden posts (you can do that by hand with a double handed post driver) and put some rails up in the gaps.

This!

 

[Fransurrey]

Hedge laying with faster growing species, or dead hedging as someone suggested (I assume that means working in cut branches to create a natural barrier, rather than planting live trees!). Willow hurdles would work, but might look a bit odd/messy. For the live stuff, you'll need temporary electric fencing, though.

 

[Glitter's fun]

Metal sheep hurdles stand up on their own.

7 Rail Interlocking Sheep Hurdles

Award-winning products, unrivalled experience and modern production techniques combine to deliver quality that is built to last.

iae.co.uk

 

[Rowreach]

Depending on what grants and subsidies the land owner gets, you might not be allowed to stick pallets in the gaps. And I would be very wary of metal sheep hurdles, they would be a risk too far for me with horses. I spanned a few gaps this summer with wide electric tape, not connected to an energiser but sufficient to close the gap and substantial enough to put the horses off trying to push through, and then encouraged the sides of the hedge to meet in the middle so hopefully they will be more closed over next spring.

 

[Surbie]

Can you lay some of the neighbouring hedging to bridge the gap? You'll still need some stakes to help support the laid branches but it is a quick way of using material around to fill space and you can tie opposing branches together across the gap. If your YO trims their hedges, you can shove some of the cut stuff at the bottom of the laid hedge, but it'll rot down in a couple of seasons.

Electric tape would be faster and less effort - and green tape blends into the background very easily.

 

[Birker2020]

I expect she won't be allowed to do most of the stuff been suggested because its a livery yard and I doubt it would be allowed by the y.o.

You could get some foam tubing maybe? But it depends how long a length you need. Slit it down the long side with a sharp stanley knife and get some matching tape and tape it back once the barbed wire is encased in the tubing. My suggestion might not be tolerated either by your y.o. You will have to ask before you spend money.

 

[tyner]

Fence helpI saw something on eBay that was essentially like a velco girth sleeve designed especially for this situation

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284516112929

 

[tyner]

Fence helpI saw something on eBay that was essentially like a velco girth sleeve designed especially for this situation

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284516112929

Maybe if your horses are not destructive/eat everything it would work.

Or old horse rug over the top?

I have one line of barb wire in my field on one side. I set up three strands of electric fence tape (not turned on) one foot from the fence that works well to keep them away from the perimeter. The tape and posts are very affordable for the peace of mind they bring.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Metal sheep hurdles stand up on their own.

7 Rail Interlocking Sheep Hurdles

Award-winning products, unrivalled experience and modern production techniques combine to deliver quality that is built to last.

iae.co.uk

But not when pushed firmly.