Frequently Asked Questions - Horse Fencing and Stalls

Category: General Fencing

Question:	How far apart should I space my posts? I heard 50’ with some fencing.
Answer:	Standard post spacing for horse fencing is 8’, 10’ or 12’. For smaller areas, high-traffic areas or round pens, we recommend 8’. Medium pastures should be spaced at 10’, and larger pastures can be spaced at 12’. PVC post spacing must be 8’ on center, while mesh fence is best at 8’ or 10’. Wider post spacing can create sagging with continuously run fence rails. With horses, it is better to keep an injury at bay, rather than chancing it”. You may think that you are saving money with farther post spacing; however, most often the cost is minimal compared to the cost of an injury. Your fence rail’s break strength will remain the same no matter what post spacing you use, but the give” of the fence will change dramatically. For example, fencing like Electric Tape is designed to flex 4-5 inches on impact before coming back into place, or breaking free if your horse puts over 750 lbs. of pressure on the rail. With 8’, 10’ or 12’ post spacing, the fence is able to do it’s job and either come back into place, or release so your horse is less likely to get tangled or possibly injured. When posts are set at 25’, 50’ or even 100’ as some companies suggest, the fencing will stretch up to 5’ or more before either breaking or coming back into place. This puts your horse at a much greater risk of getting tangled in the fencing and possibly injured. We strongly recommend closer post spacing for the security of your horses.


Question:	What is a fence “rail”?
Answer:	A rail is simply the term used for the horizontal piece of fence that attaches between posts.


Question:	What is the safest kind of fencing for horses?
Answer:	No fence is 100% fool proof or safe with horses. No matter how gentle or well-trained, horses are animals and their behavior can be unpredictable. Even the strongest fences can break when hit with enough force. However, we can still choose a ''safer'' fence for our prized equines. With horses, anything is possible. That's why it's important for you to choose products that are safer alternatives. The difference between a good fence and a bad fence is usually one vet bill. Alternative horse fence systems like RAMM's Flex-Fence are a great choice for many horse owners. Flex-Fence was designed specifically for the equine industry. It flexes on impact, and then comes back to its original place. Instead of shattering or splintering, it gives and comes back like a rubber band. Additionally, Flex-Fence is extremely strong. Our customers have sent pictures of cars, trees and trucks that have hit or landed on their fence. Most often, the only damage was to their posts. And because this fence is installed from a continuous length of rail, broken posts lean, but the rail can still stay attached to the post. This can usually still keep horses contained until the damage can be fixed. This fence combines the key elements of strength and flexibility, making it a much safer alternative. The beauty is an added bonus. Electric fence systems work well in many situations because they provide a ''nip'' similar to what horses in the wild would get from the dominant horse in the herd. That nip signals ''stay away'' and helps teach horses to respect the fence line. However, electric fences are only effective when used as intended, which means keeping them electrified at all times. Mesh fencing comes in several varieties, but all accomplish similar things. If you worry about children, small animals or predators getting into your pastures, mesh fence may be the choice for you. Today's mesh fences are designed with special knot construction. This creates a wire fence with small holes. It helps to keep hooves and legs from becoming caught in the fence. There are some things to consider before purchasing mesh, and contrary to popular belief, this fencing will not keep all animals out. Deer can jump, raccoons can climb, and burrowing animals can tunnel under. If you are concerned about predators, talk to our representatives, and we can suggest ideas that will help you. Although beautiful, PVC fence was not designed for livestock containment. The rails can become brittle in cold weather and can shatter on impact. Additionally, rails can pop free from posts if kicked or pushed on, leaving a large opening for horses to escape. Using electric fencing in conjunction with PVC helps, but is never ideal. We recommend PVC for use as a decorative fence. Traditional systems like wood and barbed wire are some of the most unsafe systems available for horses. Wood fences will break and shatter on impact, not only letting horses loose, but causing injury as well. Boards can impale, and nails cut and injure. Barbed wire fencing may work well for cattle with thick hides, but it's hard for horses to see. Being thin skinned, it can cause nasty cuts and gashes to horses. No matter what fencing you choose for your horses, always follow manufacturer's recommendations for installation and use. The best system can fail if you cut corners and do not install your fence correctly. Proper installation and maintenance is crucial to the life, beauty and function of your fence system. Our representatives will ask about the temperament of your horses, find out about your concerns, and discuss the budget that you have in mind. RAMM will help you decide on a fencing system that will accomplish what you need for your particular horses and situation.


Question:	What is the most visible fence color for horses?
Answer:	It has long been debated as to which colors horses can actually see. At RAMM, we have found that fence color is not so much an issue, rather rail width and safer fencing alternatives. Most horses can easily move away from tree branches, tall weed patches, or anything that obstructs their path. Likewise, most horses will learn the boundary of their fenced pastures whether the color is white, black, or brown. These are colors that horses see in nature. White is a traditional color that can make your area or farm appear larger. It makes a definite statement because it stands out against a natural background. If you are in an area with heavy snow, white fencing may not stand out as well. In areas like this, a combination of white and black rails may help. Brown is a more subtle color and offers a natural look. It also coordinates well with tan and neutral barn and house colors. Dirt and mud are harder to see on brown fencing. Brown fencing also has more of a split-rail look. Black is classy, elegant and makes quite a rich statement. It has traditionally been used on large farms. Many farms choose black fencing for its visibility in snowy weather and tendency not to show dirt. The bottom line is that horses can see any of these colors. Think about the structures on your property and the overall look you want to achieve, and choose the color that will work best on your farm. If you’re having trouble deciding, just call RAMM for a sample at 1.800.434.8456. Take a look at our fence product pages. Browsing some of our installed fences may help you decide which fence color is right for you.