safe horse/garden fence

L

lucymay9701

Well-Known Member
Joined
4 March 2006
Messages
269
Visit site
Hi everyone
I'm hoping some of you may have come across this problem before and may be able to give me some advice!
I have a small paddock which I want to be able to let the horses in. Its only 30' wide and so I can't afford to make it narrower as the farmer said he needs at least 30' to be able to repair the field with chain harrow etc. Anyway along the boundary is someones garden and we want to be able to put up a garden fence (6' high) but I need it to be horse friendly. I don't know if anyone would have any ideas? Obviously with a normal garden fence a horse could kick and go right through it so I need something really strong but also something that will not leave splinters in their legs if they did kick at it. I don't know if such a fence exists but just wondered if anyone had any ideas?
confused.gif

Thanks very much
Love Lucyx
 
Could you not put up the 6ft fence (i guess you are talking a panel fence?).And then run a electric fence down the side of it just to keep the horses away and from going through the fence??.
grin.gif
 
Hi
We both really want a 6' fence for privacy and if we grew hawthornes they take years - started growing some somewhere else 3 years ago and they've a long way to go yet! I have post and rail everywhere - its just this one stretch that is a problem as I want to put the horses in but the neighbours (and us really) want a 'normal' 6' solid fence for privacy.
Thanks for your reply!
 
Hi
An electric fence would have been a good idea as it could be taken down when farmer came. Only problem is I can't use electric fencing with the horse I have at the mo. She once got an electric shock (when I was leading her) and wouldn't let me near her for days after as she thought I gave it to her! On other occasions she has had shocks and then won't go anywhere near the direction of where she got the shock so we can't lead her where we need to! Shes a bit timid for an electric fence and so I don't like to put her through it and it makes my life difficult!!!
Yes it was the panel type fencing we wanted but not sure if a 'horse friendly' version exists!
Thanks for your reply!
 
A strong garden fence would discount the interwoven panels then , they're completely U..S for that, far too flimsy. Another option would be feather edge (it's basically a frame, made to the length and height you want, with upright boards nailed on.) For greater strength, you can also board 'the wrong side' as well, also have a capping rail on top which does look a lot neater and does improve the strength a lot. Any decent fencing contractor will be able to make this for you. If you were near us, I'd recommend my OH and son!
 
Thanks - you don't by any chance know a website where I could look at some pictures of what this looks like do you? ( I know you'd have to get it specially made for yourself but it would be helpful to look at some similar examples!) I need to convince the neighbour it will look OK!
 
Try Jacksons Fencing, hope this comes up! They call it featherboard too! Be warned though, they are very expensive from there, you could get it made on site at a much better price I would have thought. OH recommends that you do NOT use concrete gravel boards, not only are they very heavy to handle but if you'd ever need to change/repair a panel, they can be a pain.
http://www.jacksons-fencing.co.uk/pages/products/timber_prod_range.aspx?tc1=AA
 
Hey MFH, your OH doesn't do brickwork as well does he? I need a short piece of block wall replacing and am looking for someone who won't charge a fortune!
 
Hi
Thanks very much - just had a look at the website and ordered a brochure! That fencing looks really strong and having a brochure and pictures to show the neighbour will be helpful even if we go for a cheaper option! Like you say ordinary panelled fencing would be useless and I imagine my horse rubbing and ending up in there garden.
shocked.gif

Love Lucyx
PS Hope I don't sound 'thick' here and you don't mind me asking but what does OH stand for!!??
confused.gif
 
OH stands for 'other half', in my case, Hubby! Glad the sight was helpful. Although you say your horse doesn't like electric fencing, it might be an idea just to run a strand either along the top of it or at chest height so they're not encouraged to lean/chew; You can get screw in thingies, (OH says they're called insulators!) only to thread rope/tape through and it should only need a small battery to run it. OH now won't put up fencing for horses unless he can run tape along the top - well he prefers the rope, thinks it stronger and also they seem to respect it more. Hope that's helped!
 
i use chestnut fencing on the garden side (old fashioned, but not expensive, and lets the wind through, v. important here!) with electric-fence stand-off on the posts (which are about 6 foot apart), and 2 strands of electric on the horse side. this keeps them a foot or so off the fencing, and stops them leaning across and eating the begonias etc.
wink.gif

possibly not quite what you had in mind tho!
 
Oh well it was worth asking. I'm about 6 miles south of Whitchurch. I do know a good firm of builders locally but they are too busy for a little job like mine . I just have quite a few little jobs need doing and apart from the fact I can't afford to pay big prices I am always concerned that as a woman on my own I might get ripped off. Sorry to hijack this post by the way!
 
Oh, never thought about them chewing it aswell - another thing to think of - thanks for the advice and glad to know what OH means - I had read some of your other posts and wondered!!
laugh.gif
 
We planted some hawthornes, but now they're growing to the height where my horse can quite happily eat the tops of them.
shocked.gif
. Electric fencing would be the easiest solution but I'm just to soft and can't bear to see her get shocked after her reaction last time as she's such a big softeee!!
 
I'll ask them if they know anyone 'safe', M has an assortment of buddies that have all different trades, there must be one in there somewhere! You're only a little way from me, we'll have to get together sometime! Are you A49 way or A41 - or somewhere completely different?! PM if you prefer.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top