What is the Best Horse Fencing Option for You?
Posted by John Llewellyn on
Most people think of fencing only in terms of it being an attractive feature for a facility or even for your own backyard, and weighing options on what kind to install can be difficult. But choosing the right fencing for horses is a whole other animal.
When it comes to owning horses, fencing is a vital element for keeping them safe.
There are a variety of different options out there for horse fencing, and those options can sometimes be overwhelming, especially for first time customers. We’re here to help you by breaking down the different types of fencing so you can make a better informed decision on the best horse fencing for you.
What is the best horse fencing?
Fortunately, there is a way to simplify the decision making process when it comes to fencing. Before you decide on the best horse fencing, it is always important to consider the different factors that can affect the safety, durability, and aesthetics of each type of fencing. Depending on your priorities and needs, you can narrow down your search to fewer options.
Here is a list of factors to consider when choosing the correct type of horse fencing for you:
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Visibility
A variety of fencing can be difficult for horses to see. Make sure the material of your fencing is in a color that is visible for the horse due to their lack of sight when looking straight on. Barbed wire and thin wire fencing, for example, can be very difficult for horses to see and can lead to injuries.
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Resilience
Horses are big and powerful creatures. It is important to use a fencing material that is not fragile and won’t wear down over time due to exposure to outdoor weather conditions. Using a material that wears down not only costs more money in the long run, but can cause serious injury to your horse if and when it breaks.
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Maintenance
When choosing a material, you want to pick one that doesn’t require a lot of fussing over. Fencing that is easy to maintain will free you to concentrate on other things. As we all know, when it comes to things like fencing, less upkeep, the better. A low-maintenance, resilient fencing product will not only save you money but keep your mind at ease.
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Durability
Fencing in a whole pasture with horse fencing can be a huge expense, so it is important to choose a type of horse fencing that is durable and that can withstand wear and tear and not require repairs every few months. Something that can stand up to your local weather conditions and to horses leaning and rubbing up against it is key.
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Height
As most horse owners know, these creatures are very athletic. There are breeds that are more likely to jump a fence, so it is important to consider the proper height to help keep them safe. The minimum recommended height for horse fencing is 5 feet, or 60 inches. Another thing to keep in mind is the openings between fencing. It is important to make sure the fence openings are large enough so that horse limbs do not become tangled or get stuck. The recommended maximum size for an opening is about 3” x 3” inches.
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Aesthetics
Everyone has their own unique style. It may seem difficult to find a fencing material that’s not only stylish but also functional. Luckily, there is horse fencing out there that can do both!
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Safety
In the end, all horse owners want their animals to be safe and protected. Preventing injuries is the most important factor in deciding the best horse fencing.
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Warranty
Make sure to do your research and shop smart! Protect yourself, your pastures, and your horses by buying a product that has good warranty.
Safe horse fencing is always the top priority for any owner, but unfortunately, most types of fencing are not ideal for the safety of these animals. To know what safe horse fencing is, it is important to first understand what unsafe horse fencing is.
What is unsafe horse fencing?
Whether you own a farm, ranch, stable, or are just simply a pet horse owner, you need to be aware of the fencing material that is not ideal for maintaining the safety of your horses.
Wire Horse Fencing
Wire fencing, including smooth wire, woven wire, wire mesh, barbed wire, and v-mesh wire, are all inexpensive horse fencing options, but this type of wire greatly compromises the safety of the horses it contains.
Barbed wire horse fencing in particular is one of the most dangerous types of horse fencing due to the sharpness of the material. In the old West, barbed wire was used to tame wild horses, however that does not mean it is safe and should be used today. Barbed wire can easily tear a horse’s skin, and if a horse becomes entangled in the wire, the injuries can be very serious, if not fatal.
Single strand wire fencing is another type of material that is not ideal for horses. This type of material can lose its tension over time, creating not only constant maintenance issues, but also causing your horse to become entangled. Wire fencing is also hard for horses to see, which makes injuries more common.
Electric Horse Fencing
While electric horse fencing is generally cost-effective, and it is a good way to keep horses from leaning on fences or chewing on the lines due to the electric shock they will sustain if they make contact with the lines. However, this type of fencing is not extremely durable. It can easily break or unravel, causing potential injury to your horses and requiring constant tightening and upkeep. If you’re going to go the electric horse fence route, make sure to use a line that is durable enough to keep your horse from injuring themselves.
Wood and PVC Horse Fencing
Fencing that is made entirely out of wood, pvc pipe, and other similar materials is typically very easy for horses to see. These materials are all generally attractive to the eye and can last a long time. The biggest downfall with this type of fencing, however, is that it is extremely rigid. This means that if a horse collides with the fence, it will often break under the pressure and create sharp pieces that could seriously injure the horse. Wood fencing also needs constant upkeep with repairs and painting required often to maintain the integrity of the fence.
Sometimes, however, wood post fencing and vinyl post fencing can be safe options if used with a high-strength line that allows for a horse to safely bounce back off after a collision.
The Bottom Line with Unsafe Horse Fencing
Buying more sturdy fencing may cause a wound in your pocket, but really, it is the horse that will pay the ultimate price nine out of ten times if you install cheap but unsafe fencing.
Luckily, materials for horse fencing have come a long way, and these innovative materials can ensure the safety of your four-legged friends and are durable, easy to maintain, and don’t cost an arm and a leg.
What is safe horse fencing?
Safety is always going to be a top priority for customers when it comes to horse fencing. Not only will safe horse fencing keep your mind at ease but will also save you money.
Horses are flight animals and do not fight when it feels threatened, which means they will run and run until they feel safe. Smooth wiring can be efficient, however one too many times has a horse gotten tangled up. Board fencing is aesthetically pleasing, but a horse can run right through the boards or land right on top of a T-post if triggered.
Being able to contain your horses and prevent injuries such as lacerations, torn muscles, and even broken bones can seem almost impossible to do when you consider the most popular fencing options.
Luckily, there is a fencing material out there that can address all of your concerns and then some. When you’re looking for a horse fence that is aesthetically pleasing, cost effective, easy for horses to see, requires less maintenance than other types of fencing, and, most importantly, can uphold the strength of one of these majestic animals running into it or leaning against it, there is one safe horse fencing solution: Cameo Fencing.
What is Cameo Fencing?
Cameo Fencing is a white, monofilament polymer line. Cameo fencing provides not only strength but safety, because the color is 100% visible to your horse. While the line may not appear very strong, each line has a 1,200-pound breaking-strength per line and has the stretching capability of 20% before breaking. Due to the flexibility of Cameo fencing, it will eliminate all possibilities of the “cheese cutter effect” a horse may experience from contact with high tensile fencing.
What does Cameo Fencing look like?
Cameo fencing has a clean, fresh look. With thin lines and no H-braces in sight, it helps provide a clear view into an even more stunning pasture. And since there aren’t any bulky boards either, you can gaze upon the pasture with no interruptions. You’ll be able to step back and not only be happy with the view, but you’ll realize how aesthetically pleasing it really is. Not only is it extremely pleasing for our eyes, but it's also pleasing for the horse’s eyes, since it is 100% visible to them.
Cameo Fencing Pricing Vs. Other Materials
Cameo Fencing is an affordable option for all horse owners. Some customers don’t have to worry about a price tag, but if you’re on a budget yet don’t want to compromise on safety and quality, then Cameo is for you!
Due to the simple nature of installation, Cameo Fencing will have a low price tag compared to others, making this fencing material extremely cost-effective.
Below is a chart that provides comparison between the average cost per linear foot of different fencing materials to Cameo:
Material/Style | AVG. Price per linear foot |
Vinyl Row | $15 - $20 |
Non-Climb | $10 - $15 |
High Tensile | $6 - $9 |
Board Fencing | $15 - $22 |
Cameo Fencing | $4 - $7 |
Cameo Fencing: Easy Installation
Earlier in this blog, we mentioned several factors to keep in mind when selecting the best horse fence options. Looking back at those factors, Cameo fits each criteria, making the final decision a simple one.
But not only does Cameo Fencing meet all of the requirements of a safe, cost-effective solution, installation is also simple!
Installing this material requires no back-breaking labor such as building H-braces or stretching non-climb. Carrying heavy boards or rolls and rolls of wiring are also a thing of the past with Cameo Fencing.
For example, in a recent horse fence installation project, it took two men only two days to install Cameo Fencing on a two-acre plot of land! Talk about fast and efficient.
Another benefit to using this type of material is the low maintenance it requires compared to other products on the market. You don’t have to worry about rotting wood, rusted steel, or sagging wire when using Cameo. In the end, if safety and cost are the main priorities out of all the other factors, then Cameo fencing is the best option.
It can give you a peace of mind knowing you won’t have to worry about the anguish of dealing with an injury or the continuous spending after installation to upkeep your fencing. Your horses will always stay safe, and your wallet will thank you.
Where to Buy Cameo Fencing, the Best Horse Fence
With this safe horse fencing, you never have to worry about a fence-related injury to your horses. Easy to install, with low maintenance, great style, and a budget-friendly price, you never have to worry about compromising one important factor for another when you choose Cameo Fencing.
For more information about this affordable fencing option that can let your horses roam free but keep them safe upon contact, give us a call today: 880-822-5426