Planning Your Fence
Fence Planning FAQs
Do you have an upcoming fencing project or looking to add horse stalls to your barn or facility?
Horse fence can be one of the most attractive features of a horse fence should keep horses on the property and keep away nuisances such as dogs and other unwanted visitors. Fences aid facility management by allowing controlled grazing and segregating groups of horses according to age, sex, value, or use. Well-constructed and maintained fences enhance the aesthetics and value of a stable facility, which in turn complements marketing efforts. Poorly planned, haphazard, unsafe, or non-maintained fences will detract from a facility’s value and reflect poor management. Good fences can be formal or informal in appearance, yet all should be well-built and carefully planned.
Many experienced horse owners will relay stories about the savings for cheaper, but unsafe, horse fence (e.g. barbed wire). Eventually (and regretfully), these owners will have to pay for veterinary bills to treat their injured horses.
Often, more than one kind of fence is used at a facility. Different fences might be installed for grazing pastures, exercise paddocks, riding areas, or for securing property lines. Land topography influences the look, effectiveness, and installation of fencing. Consider different horse groups; stallions, weanlings, mares, mares with foals, and geldings all have different fencing requirements.
Pasture use may range from exercise paddocks (corrals) to grazing or hay production. Paddock layout should allow for ease of management,
Can't fence all of your property at once? No need to worry; RAMM can help you determine your long-term farm and barn needs for your horses. You can break it down into phases and complete your project(s) in a timeframe that works for your schedule! It's always better to know your goal, rather than "adding on" because, without a plan, your facility can become unorganized, which will lengthen the time it takes you to do your daily chores.
Important Questions to Ask
- How large is your pasture? If you don't know, measure the distance between your existing posts and add the total footage. Alternatively, you can measure the distance between your steps and walk off the area. If the area is open, drive stakes in the ground and string-off the pasture.
- How many horses (geldings, mares, foals, stallions, etc.) or other animals (alpacas, cattle, goats, etc.) will be in this area?
- Will you need to create separation between your horses? Do you need rotational grazing areas? Catch areas, pony or small animal containment, as well as large horse pastures?
- How many gates will you need and where are they going to be located? Include any that you are thinking about now, rather than adding them after installation is complete. Consider having a 16' utility gate at one end of your pasture for the use of large vehicles or equipment. Most turn-out gates should be 8', 10', or 12' in length. Ask a RAMM expert about the best size and placement for your property.
- What is the content of your soil (sand, rock, clay, etc.)? Do you have rolling hills? Standing water?
- If you are considering electric fencing, do you have overhead electric lines or water lines close to where your fence will run?
- Which high-traffic areas will have the most amount of horse congregation and foot traffic? What are your horses' temperaments like? Do your horses chew, lean, or otherwise abuse the fence? This is important to consider and discuss with a RAMM expert to protect your fence investment/hard-earned dollars.
- Are you looking to add new fencing or update existing fencing? What will you want to fence in the future? Our staff can help you save money if you plan ahead for future additions.
- What is your budget? We can help you choose the right fence for your situation and budget. Remember, the difference between a good fence and a bad fence is usually one vet bill. Ask how RAMM products will help you with easier, long-term maintenance. Our goal is to help you fence your horses safer and keep your fence looking new, longer!