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

End Assemblies/Strainers

Horserail and Horsecote are products that are designed to physically stop the animal even when crashed.

There are two main types of strainer assemblies:

Horizontal brace; using larger and longer posts as the end post and stay post. The top brace can be made of galvanized pipe or a long (2.5 meters) post.
Angle Stay; using a strainer which is a much larger single end post with a 2.5 meter diagonal stay post inset into the strain side of the strainer and angling down to a stay block set in the ground. Do not angle the stay over about 15 degrees.

Which of the two you use will depend on personal experience and preference. Both have their merits. The unique features of the JWI range of fence products allows for minimal tension to keep the rail flat but it is important that the strainer assembly is strong enough to stand the strain caused by a horse(s) crashing into the fence in a panic. It is good to remember that any fence is only as strong as its weakest link.

Posts 'KEEP THEM IN LINE'

Standard wooden fence posts with at least one face rounded are suitable. The rounded face should be placed facing the rail or coated wires. The height of the fence will determine the length of the post. This ranges from 1.85 meters (6 foot) to 2.5 meters (8 feet). With rail type fences two IMPORTANT factors must be remember when installing posts

The tops of the post must be in-line
The sides of the post must be in-line

Laying out rail and coated wire

The most suitable method is to sit the roll on a spinning jenny (extended slightly with slats to accommodate the wider rolls) and sit the spinning jenny on the back of a vehicle and drive the vehicle along the fence line, letting the roll out as you go. This stops the rail being dragged in the dirt and over sharp objects. Ensure that you have attached one end or the rail to the end-assembly before commencing. For small quantities and where you do not have a spinning jenny, the roll can be sat on a smooth flat square (carpet or rug or tin or plastic) on the back of the utility and fed out with a board to stop the roll from sliding off the tray or while a second person walks behind to stop the roll from being dragged off the tray. DO NOT attempt to roll out the rail along the ground, it becomes unmanageable very quickly.

Attaching Horserail Rail

General Comment
Whether it is the seasonal change of temperature or an accidental crash into the fence, it is almost inevitable that in time, some rail or coated wire tension will be lost. We strongly advise that at least one spooler be incorporated into every 100meters of coated rail. This will allow for adjustment to maintain tension on the rail and ensure that your investment is visually attractive.

Pre Tensioning
The use of a chain grab wire strainer (come-a-long) can make the tensioning of rail a much easier operation although 'hand' tension is adequate for shorter runs (less than 200 meters). Remember the Spooler has limited rail storage capacity. An attachment Buckle must be initially fitted at one end of the line and attached to the End Post. This will hold the end of the rail while laying it out along the fence line. Gently pretension the rail prior to attaching the other End attachment Buckle (Remember to slide on a Spooler if you haven't done so already). Note: The rail should be attached to all posts prior to pre-tensioning as this will reduce the pressure required to carry out the initial tension. Care must be taken when using the chain garb wire strainers as over5 tensioning will damage the edge of the rail.

Staples and Brackets
Brackets come in three configurations:

For Top of Post attachment so the rail is attached flush to the top of the post. [Top of post brackets]
For inside corners, where the rail is mounted on the inside of a curve, such as an arena. [Inside curve brackets]
For normal use. [Flat brackets]

They may be attached using four self tapping galvanized screws, ring shank galvanized nails, a staple top and bottom or two staples at the top and two at the bottom.
Staples: Square long leg 4" staples are available for attaching the rail to wooden posts. They are NOT recommended in pressure areas or where NO Hotcote is used.

Tensioning Horserail - Using Spoolers

The Horserail Spooler should be used to tension the rail Note: The spooler has limited rail storage capacity; the initial rail tension should be done with a chain grab wire strainer or by hand on shorter runs (under 200 meters) before tensioning.

Use a speed square to assist with square cut ends.
Always place the spooler on the rail before fitting the end attachment Buckle.
Always keep the hub of the Spooler at right angles to the rail
For a neat appearance at the end posts, rotate the spooler in a direction that keeps the rail on the same side of the Spooler hub as the posts.
To make the installation easier and safer, use two ratchet handles (one at each end of the Spooler hub) for tightening. A long handled 1/2" (12mm) drive ratchet can be used.
Always pull with both handles. Hold with one and ratchet back with the other and hold. Ratchet back with the first, before pulling with both again.
Practice first. Get someone to lightly hold the hub and practice the sequence of ratcheting the spooler with two 12 mm (1/2") drive handles. You can use a wooden cradle to help hold spooler at the correct angle (contact us for details)
When tensioning, it is helpful to use two people: one to ratchet, one to assist with the alignment and to lock the pins on place.
Always pull the handles towards you, NOT away from you. Please be careful.
Don't over tension the rail.
Safety First - use safety eyeglasses and gloves.

It is not as economical to have a spooler at each end of a short fence. One positioned at one end will be adequate. One Spooler in the middle is acceptable especially when there is a top horizontal post or pipe.
The new 2-part Spooler is ideal for fitting onto the rail after you have already attached the rail to the posts but you are wanting to tension the rail at some point in the fence line.

Using In-Line Permanent Wire Strainers
The use of these ratchet style permanent in line wire strainers is only recommended for the tensioning of coated wires.

Joining Rail

Using the Joining Buckle: Ensure that the end of the rail has been cut square, using a speed square. Simply scribe the rail with at knife, cut the wires using wire cutters and the rail will pull apart. To ensure that the join is neat and square you must make sure the bends are square to the rail. This ensures that the rail is matching and flat when joined.
Crimping is not essential but it does look a lot tidier than trying to tie a knot.

Temporary Fencing

By using the unique Horserail Attachment and Joining Buckles and brackets, Horserail is very easy to take down, move or just reconfigure. Our latest innovation, the NEW 2-part spooler allows you to replace the tensioner where ever it is required.