How To Build A Wood Rail Fence For Horses

The fence post is the foundation of the fence so its importance cannot be overemphasized.

How to build a wood rail fence for horses. Materials needed for building a horse fence steven martin flickr. Horse fencing is mandatory if you are taking care of horses on your property. However you don t need to be a rocket scientist to build a simple fence to contain your horse. Unless you re using trees not recommended or taking an unusual route and building giant stone fences you re going to need posts to support your fence.

The common element in virtually all successful horse fences is a wooden post. The posts go in first and then the rails or boards. Disadvantages include high initial cost 4 to 5 per linear foot for a traditional unpainted four rail fence and high maintenance due to horse chewing weathering etc. The fence post is the foundation of the fence so its importance cannot be overemphasized.

Each 16 foot long rail will span three posts but you ll want to stagger them top to bottom so they don t always begin and end on the same posts. The most common type of fencing used to contain horses is a wooden board fence or a post and rail fence. This is the same for temporary electric fences. Set square posts into the ground trim them to height and install the rails.

Horses can break through if spooked and nails and splintering can present hazards. The exact materials that you will need to build a farm horse fence will vary depending on the type that you choose. Setting posts represents the hardest work and the most time consuming part of fence building and is absolutely the most critical to the long term success of the fence. If you are building board or rail fences typically it s the opposite.

Before setting round posts into the ground cut notches for the rails. This guide highlights the process of installing a simple square post and rail fence in your yard. Set and plumb pre mortised posts as you install the rails. The steps above are primarily for building wire fences.

Make a mark where the line hits each post then use a circular saw to cut at an angle 1 inch above the mark thereby eliminating a site for water to pool and rot the wood. Setting posts represents the hardest work and the most time consuming part of fence building and is absolutely the most critical to the long term success of the fence. Farm fence fences are also built the same way board rail fences are. A three rail wooden fence creates an attractive safe area for your horses to roam and graze.