CNK Nepal
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Horse fencing on farms
December 29th, 2007 by admin
Horse can be frightened easily and bolt in a mad panic, that is why visible fencing is needed to contain this animal. Fencing is used to contain the horses but also can act as a boundary between the horses and other animals that may frighten them.
Controlled grazing can be an economical way to provide forage to grazing animals. Utilizing pasture as a major portion of the forage plan can significantly reduce feed costs during the grazing season. Visibility is the most important characteristic of horse fencing. Poorly visible fences such as high tensile and barbed wire fences should not be used with horses; the animals may incur severe injuries (e.g. deep lacerations and broken bones) if they become entangled in fence wires. Woven wire fence with openings of 4 inches or more should not be used since legs may become trapped in the openings. Woven wire fencing with openings less than 4 inches are suitable for horses if a single 1 inch by 6 inch board is placed at the top of the fence to increase visibility. Diamond-mesh wire of 12-gauge minimum makes good horse fencing. Electric fencing is also an option since it will discourage contact and decrease the incidence of fencing-related injuries.
Horses have specific attributes and characteristics that demand certain types of fencing to protect them, as well as to keep them on the owner’s property. Good, sturdy horse fences, can amount to a very large investment, especially for large animals like horses that require a correspondingly large perimeter. Many factors need to be considered before installing the best possible horse fence, such as the following:
Protection – Horses are grazing animals and need to roam about in the open air. They need to be protected from undesired and unauthorized visitors as well as from other animals like dogs (and in some areas, wolves).Confinement – This isn’t so much to keep them in, but to prevent horses from accidentally getting out. The fence must be sturdy and all exit gates must be secured by locks. Height is also an issue since horses will attempt to leap over a low fence if frightened suddenly.Separation – Larger farms and breeding facilities may need to separate groups of horses by age, sex, value and use.Practicality – Working farms are busy places and the horse fence you install needs to account for this. Feed must be provided and manure removed, and easy access to the horses has to be integral to the design. Gates must accommodate horses, riders, or both.
