post and rail questions.... height? which way up for posts?

Bowen4Horses

Bowen4Horses

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Hi all

We're about to start putting up the post and rail round my new little 'yard' area.

We have the posts and the rails. can't remember the length of them offhand, but they are plenty long enough... now....

1) how high should the top rail be? (we are doing 2 rails per post)
2) the posts are square on one end and sort of slanted on the other. i presumed the slanted bit went in the ground. my OH thinks it goes at the top. anyone know?
3) if slanted bit goes at top, does it slant towards or away from the rail?
4) oh, and one more thing. do the rails go flush to the top of the post, or should the posts stick up a bit above them?

butterscotch angel delight for reading... with added squirty cream if you answer....
smile.gif
 
1) As a rule of thumb, so that it looks "right" with the gates.
2) Slanted on top.
3) We have ours with the rails nailed to the side with the lower edge of the slant.
4) Mmm, not sure of "correct" answer but I prefer them flush.


And you do know that the rails go on the same side of the posts as the horses I'm sure.
 
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are they going into metposts or is OH concreteing them in?

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just into ground (about 4ft deep) as they are part of a 'temporary' yard so they need to be removable at some point, but solid enough to stay upright (they will have elec tape running on inside where horses will be)
 
slanted bit on top, to let rainwater drain off.
square bottomed posts aren't the easiest to get in perfectly square though, as if they hit a rock on the way down they go dramatically sideways! at least the ground is good and wet though.
top of top rail level with top of gate(s) ideally.
a bit of post sticking up above top rail looks better imho.
rails on horse side so they can't just shove them off, and so posts don't stick out into field.
do you need strings etc, we've got them if you need them.
it took me years (and lots of wonky posts) to work out that using a spirit level on 2 sides of the post as it is rammed in will ensure it ends up totally vertical...
 
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If temporary then drill holes in the wood rather than nail or screw directly in to them so that you can dismantle without splitting the wood. I would also suggest painting them before erecting them (even if they have been treated).

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Ditto! Slightly more work now but well worth it!

Can I have banana and yes to the cream
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slanted at the top to let rain drain off.
imo i would have 3 rails to stop them getting their head between the two for a good old itch and loosening the rails.i would have the top rail flush with the top of the post to avoid things getting caught(headcollers ,neck rugs etc .not that i like turning out in headcollers but sometimes you may have to)
 
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