Building a safe horse fence

When building a horse fence, there are several things to consider to make it a safe roaming area for your horses. The article below highlights some of the most important things you should consider:

Visibility and Strength
If your fence isn’t visible enough, it’s likely your horse may accidentally run into it. If you choose a wire fence, make sure it has a rail or board on top so the horse has something to focus on. Additionally, you should build a fence that’s strong enough to handle if it is run into. This is also important around the areas of high traffic like the gate and near the barn.

Smooth Edges
The inside edges of your fencing should have a smooth surface with nothing sticking out. Check the fence frequently to make sure there aren’t any nails or broken wires that might injure the horse.

Fence Height
For most breeds of horses, your fencing should be at least 5 feet tall. For taller breeds, a height of 6 feet is recommended. If you incorporate an interior fence inside the main fence, this can be at a shorter height like 4.5 feet.

Fence Design
When designing your fencing, it’s recommended you use rounded corners instead of square. If you have a dominant or aggressive horse, square corners make it easier for him to trap other horses. Rounded corners can prevent bullying and make all horses feel comfortable and safe in their surroundings.

The importance of level posts in a round pen

When building a round pen, it’s essential that all posts are level in the ground. If they’re not, they won’t provide the support your structure needs to last for years.

Having level posts also ensures the safety of the fence. If the posts aren’t level, the fencing won’t install properly and can be dangerous for you and your horse.

So, how do you ensure your posts are level? It’s best to find a friend to help, as it can be a two-person job. The posts should be level both horizontally and vertically, which is a challenge to do on your own.

When your posts are level, have one person hold the post while the other pours the concrete. Make sure it’s level against the top of the hole where the post sticks out. It’s helpful to use 2×4′s to keep it level. Since concrete takes up to 24 hours to set, you’ll need something to support it while the concrete is hardening.

Keep these steps in mind when you’re building your next round pen. Remember, a strong and secure base can help ensure your round pen will last for years to come.

Round Pen Safety

When building a round pen for your horses, safety should be the first thing you’re thinking about. Here are a few of the most important areas you should focus on to ensure your round pen is safe for both you and your horse.

Base and footing – As you begin planning the base and footing of your pen, consider the climate you live in and the amount of rainfall you get on a yearly basis. Another important factor is what your round pen will be used for. Will it be used for training, a safe area for your horse to roam, or something else entirely? Be sure to choose the proper type of gravel, dust, sand, or other type of footing based on your primary use. You should also make sure that the base of the pen is sloped and the footing is layered so it will drain properly.

Posts and railings – When constructing your pen, make sure the fence posts and railings are level the whole way around. There should be no protruding posts that you or your horse could get caught on. For the safest option, consider putting the railing on the inside of the posts. This will make an uninterrupted circle with no posts sticking out. Although it won’t look as nice from the outside, remember – the round pen should be built with your horse in mind.

Hardware – All hardware you use on your gates should be placed on the outside. If you’re using wood, make sure the nails and screws are secured as far as they’ll go – and not protruding out. This will prevent your horse from injuring or scratching itself by bumping into it.

Staining or Painting – If you decide to stain or paint your railing, make sure you carefully read the contents first. Some contain chemicals or toxins that can be harmful to your horse. If you have any questions about it, your local hardware or farm supply store staff should be able to recommend a safe stain.

Safety is of the utmost importance when dealing with your horses. Double check the above things when you’re building your horse fencing, so you can ensure you and your horse will stay safe every time it’s used.