Keeping a Backyard Horse

Fencing

There are many types of fencing that can be used for horses, but one type should NEVER be used to contain horses. Barbed wire is very dangerous fencing to use around horses, even if it's only a single strand around the top of another kind of fencing. Barbed wire is fine for cattle, but the skin of the horse is thinner and more easily cut by the sharp barbs on the fencing. Horses have been known to tear faces, chests, and legs when they've been tangled in barbed wire.

Wood fence, square stock fence, twisted wire, poly tape, chain link without sharp tops, or metal bar fencing are all appropriate for horses. Chicken wire fencing will not be strong enough for the amount of force a horse can apply to it. Poly tape is a relatively new fencing material that is strong, highly visible, and charged with a small electrical current from a hot box. Even with wood or wire fencing, it might be a good idea to plan on a single strand of hot wire or poly wire to run across the top of your fencing. This will teach your horse not to lean over your fence and eventually damage it. It will also prevent your horse from chewing on wood fencing.

Poly tape or hot wire can also be useful to protect trees or other portions of your horse pen that you might want your horse to avoid. Inexpensive plastic poles can be pushed into the ground and strung with poly wire or tape, and these can be pulled up and moved as you might need to.

For a wire fencing, you will need metal T-posts, and sturdy wood posts for the corners at least. If you're adding hot wire, you'll need plastic insulators for both the T-posts and the wood corners; if your hot wire touches the metal post, it will 'ground' out and be ineffective. Also, for hot wire, you'll need to have the charge box. There are many different types, and for different animals (higher or lower charge), and the box will tell you which animal the charger is intended for and an approximate square mileage the charger is rated for. Also, you will need an electrical outlet close by to plug the charger into. Remember to keep cords and wiring out of the reach of your horse!

Poly hot wire alone is usually not a good fencing for horses. However, a very well-trained horse who is used to being fenced may do fairly well with this sort of fencing. It's what mom is using for my pen right now, though she plans on replacing it with the poly tape as soon as possible. The tape is wider and more sturdy if a horse were to run into it, plus more visible to your horse. When properly strung, poly tape also has a neat appearance, and some is available in different horse-friendly colors.

No matter what kind of fencing you have, keep in mind that your horse can, and probably will, try to reach up over or underneath the fence in an attempt to get to grass on the other side. The saying, "the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence" is never truer than when you're dealing with a horse! This is why a hot wire around the top might be a good idea. Also, some horses tend to chew wood, whether out of boredom or hunger, and hot wire can protect your investment.

Make sure you check your fencing regularly, replacing any rails or wire sections that appear to be damaged, and make sure all nails are securely pounded into the wood. Nails can cause nasty foot injuries. Also, weeds growing up around your pen can grow high enough to touch your poly tape, which would then ground the electric current, causing it not to work. Look for any nails or wood splinters that may be a hazard for your horse.