Choosing the right fencing for your horse or horses can be a time-consuming process that requires proper planning and installation know-how. An essential element of the planning process is determining what kind of material you plan to use for your horse fence. The material you choose can play a huge factor in terms of cost, maintenance required, and durability. Here are some of the pros and cons of the most common horse fencing materials out there.

Wood

Wood fences are the classic horse fence material. One of their biggest advantages comes purely down to their aesthetic appearance, which provides a classic look that both you and visitors can appreciate. Wood fencing also serves as an excellent material to properly contain horses in a safe manner as long as the fence is at least 5 feet high.

The downside of wood is that it is likely the highest maintenance material you can utilize. The fence needs to be regularly examined for any damaged or cracked boards, and also needs to be periodically painted or stained to help preserve the wood. It's often recommended to put one electric fence wire at the top of a wooden fence to discourage horses from approaching.

PVC and Vinyl Fencing

There are a number of advantages to PVC and vinyl fencing. These advantages include a large range of customization options, colors and styles. These fences also tend to stand the test of time, and won't splinter, crack or rot. That means maintenance for you is kept at a minimum.

At the same time, this fencing material will cost you a significant amount of money and is sometimes difficult to install. These fences may also shatter if a horse kicks them in the winter, and often there is no warranty coverage if this occurs.

Electric Wire Fencing

Electric wire fencing is low-cost and requires very little maintenance. As long as you constantly run a current through the fence, the horse should respect the boundaries imposed by your fencing. Electricity costs are also low as well, and usually doesn't take more power than you would need to charge a standard light bulb.

Not everyone will find electric fencing to be the most eye-pleasing fencing material, but it's sufficient for many horse owners and gets the job done. It's important to ensure the fencing is visible to the horse at all times in order to prevent injuries. That means tying braids, ropes, ribbons, or poly-tape to the fence to let the horse know exactly where the electric wires are located.

Ultimately, with the above information, you should be able to better make a decision about what horse fencing material works best for you. For more information, contact Rapasadi Fence.