Planning Your Fence - Design of the fence - Constructing Your Fence

Lay of Land
As discussed above, the lay of the land will often influence whether to use Horserail or Horsecote. However the lay of the land can influence such things as the positioning of gateways, fences and access tracks. Avoid the following situations if possible: Fences at the foot of steep slopes especially on the feed/people side of the property. Horses tend to rush to this area and may end up crashing into the fence. Gateways in areas where the ground is often wet.

Type of Animals
While our fence products were conceived to over-come the problem of providing a safe and low maintenance solution for horses and ponies, we are finding that they are also well adapted to the unique requirements of diverse range of situations, including:

Deer (low maintenance sighting panel as an overlay on deer netting fences etc)
Ecology demarcation fencing. Because of its corrosion resistance, high visibility and low maintenance, it is ideal as a way of marking areas that are environmentally sensitive. Used in conjunction with clear signs describing the nature of the resource and the restricted activities, a single rail is an effective solution for area such as estuary and wetland sanctuaries.
Alpaca's, Emus and Ostrich's (a safe long lasting solution for owners)
Lifestyle and Show Homes: Driveway fencing.
Subdivisions, where maintenance may be a problem
Training Race Tracks and Riding Arenas
Temporary Fencing

Value of Property
Expenditure on fencing must be viewed not only as a method of restraining animals, but is also a means of 'adding value' to your property. The decisions will always be based on your own situation this is why it is wise to plan the layout and the type of fence that you will install. Fencing with Horserail (as apposed to wire) to look more substantial and therefore adds value to your property.

Post Spacing
Extra rails and closer post spacing costs more, but increases the density of the fence and therefore the substantiality of the fence and the value of the property. Our recommendation is to range from 3 meters (10 feet) in a yard or arena situation, out to 5 meters (16 feet) in a paddock situation)

Fence Height
The 'industry standard' so to speak, for horse fencing is 1.5 meters (four foot six inches). Standard livestock fences are typically 1.07 Meters (three foot six inches) high. In most cases the latter has proven satisfactory for horses also, but if building from new, we recommend 1.22 Meters (4 feet). In the case of an arena/yard/coral where pressure on the animal is greater and tendency to jump is higher, we suggest that post height be increased to 1.5 Meters (5 feet). What ever height is chosen the appropriate post length must be used.

Electric Fencing
The decision whether to incorporate electricity into your fencing development should be relatively simple. The answer will most likely be yes, for the following reasons:

Our new coated electric wires; Horsecote will allow for electricity to be introduced without degrading safety, as is usually the case with bare wires and woven tapes.
The presence of electricity allows for annoying habits such as 'cribbing', pawing and leaning to be quickly rectified.
Less substantial (expensive) options regarding rails and coated wires may be chosen.

Mark Out and Measure Up
The next step may be to find out what the programmed is going to cost. We suggest that you get an armful of stakes and go out and mark out where you want fences and gateways. Measure up, draw a rough sketch and write down the measurements. Now you can contact your supplier for suggestions and an estimate.

Preperation of Fence Lines

Power/Water
Ensure that you plan the installation of underground cables and pipe lines in conjunction with earth moving equipment. Often the equipment used to lay these services operates more freely before the fences are erected.

Land Forming
Land forming should be done as soon as practical to ensure that the soil has an increased chance of settling or compacting prior to fencing. Rain is a very good influence on compaction. As a general rule, the bigger the equipment, the less expensive the operation is in total.

Ordering Materials

Make sure that you allow plenty of time for your requirements to be delivered. With the type and wide range of product we offer, it is possible that we don't have your requirements in stock and sometimes the product has to be ordered in. Check with us and you post supplier to avoid disappointment and annoying delays.

Next: Constructing Your Fence