By John Ferris, Full Dip. Tech., Prod. Eng.

Installing fencing for horses is one of the most important investments you can make on an equine property. Taking the time to plan the project carefully from the outset can help prevent costly mistakes, improve daily management, and create a safer environment for both horses and handlers. Every decision, from layout to materials, should be made with the horse’s safety and long-term containment in mind.

As you develop your fencing plan, there are several key factors to evaluate:

1. Paddock and Pasture Placement — Consider where paddocks and pastures will be situated in relation to the barn and other working areas. A well-planned layout can reduce unnecessary travel time and make daily chores more efficient.

2. Safe and Efficient Horse Handling— Positioning fence lines so horses can be turned out directly from a central alleyway or driveway can simplify handling. Arrangements that require moving multiple horses in order to access one animal can increase labour and create avoidable safety risks, particularly when someone else is helping with chores.

3. Space Requirements for Horses — Avoid making loafing paddocks excessively small whenever possible. Limited space can lead to boredom, encouraging horses to chew, kick, lean on, or otherwise challenge fencing. In many cases, fencing products are blamed for failures that are actually the result of horses being confined in areas that do not meet their behavioural needs. No fencing system can be expected to withstand constant abuse indefinitely. Horses generally cause fewer problems when they have adequate room to move and access to forage. If small loafing paddocks are unavoidable, consider installing double fencing between incompatible horses or high-risk areas, and evaluate whether electric fencing may be an appropriate addition.

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Your horses will be happier — and easier on the fence — if they have larger paddocks with something to munch on, and room to move. Photo: iStock/Nemyrivskyi Viacheslav

4. Keep Layout Simple and Sensible — Think about the layout of the fencing job at hand. Keep the fence lines as simple as possible and in the longest, straightest lines that you can manage. Keep corners and direction changes to a minimum. Every time you do a major change in direction you need to brace the fence line, especially with the installation of today’s high-tech, high-tensioned fencing materials. Take into consideration the problem of future overgrazing of your pasture and paddocks; they will look like minefields with overuse. Pastures will have to be rested and you will benefit economically from increased pasture growth and better animal health if you are able to rotate. Therefore, the longer you can make your perimeter fence in the most convenient position, with suitable cross-fencing, the easier it will be for you and more enjoyable life will be for your horses.

To determine the best fencing plan for your property run a string line first until you are happy with the layout. Photo: AdobeStock/Mark J Barrett

If you are not sure of the best fence plan for your property, do an experimental run with a string line, and do your changes then. I always work with the line at ground level. If you can conveniently run a string line and are happy with the layout, most probably your fence line is ready to have the posts pounded.

Related: Rethinking Horse Paddocks: A Natural Setup Changes Everything

Related: The Crucial Role of the Fence Post on Equine Properties

Be sure all the fence lines are clear of debris; you will be much happier with the result if you can run a straight, clear line.

Try to plan your fences to save your good trees; shade and shelter are very important factors to consider when you are containing animals. However, consider the fact that trees can blow down and fall on fence installations. Select good, healthy trees to remain standing and consider removing unsafe, unhealthy, and dead trees. If there are no trees in the paddocks then the horse will look for an alternative area to rub; often the fence will become the tree for this purpose, so beware of this situation and potential problems caused by rubbing and leaning on the fence.

Try to run fence lines along the highest point of the site. Do not go too close to ditches as the posts may come loose if pounded too close to previously excavated ground. If the ditch runs a lot of water in winter, the post can become eroded. Always use longer posts to compensate for this if such a situation cannot be avoided.

If there are no trees, the fence will “become” the tree as the horse looks for somewhere to scratch that itch. Photo: AdobeStock/JCTabb

5. Plan Gates Carefully — If you are unsure where your gates should go, then set your gate posts temporarily in the ground with the aid of a hole made with a crowbar. Try to give your gateways a straight line of approach. This is really beneficial if you are moving a horse trailer, tractors, and delivery vehicles. Keep both sides of the approach on level ground, as this will save vehicles from sliding into gate posts on those icy days of winter.

6. Costs  —  When you are planning your fence project remember: the perimeter does not increase proportionately as pasture size increases. Costs per acre are less for larger pastures. For example, a ten acre parcel is approximately twice as expensive to fence as a two acre parcel, but has five times the area. 

7. Safety First  —  Always think safety first; this means no acute angles to create entrapment areas and giving a great deal of thought to the position of gates. For adjoining paddocks, do not crowd gates next to each other or you may end up with a busy spot that could lead to problems in handling and moving animals. There should be no trees within a few feet of the inside of the fence line unless you can isolate those trees from the horses; horses will stress the trees, especially young ones.

In conclusion, think of your pocketbook, go with the simplest route, consider future maintenance, and make your choices carefully.

Related: Good Fences Make Safer Horses

Related: The Role of Mowing in Horse Pasture Management

More by John Ferris

Author John Ferris and his wife Lesley, and now their daughter Jill, have operated Ferris Fencing since 1985, specializing in equine, general farm, horticulture, and vineyard applications, complete electric systems, and electric nets. As farmers, horse owners, and engineers, they are experts in the technical aspects of installation and application of fencing systems. For more information, visit Ferris Fencing.

Main photo: When planning a fencing project, carefully consider all aspects of the layout in terms of safety, convenience, efficiency, and cost. Credit: AdobeStock /Mark J Barrett