Everything Horses and Livestock® Magazine August 2020 Vol 5 Issue 3

Everything Horses and Livestock Magazine ®

up against inclement weather, impacts or wear from animals, and it will ensure your livestock keep to their pens. It can last for decades and often raises property values because of its quality. It is a very visible barrier, sturdy, safe, and low maintenance. It is my personal fence of choice. The only drawback is the price. Electric Fence (approximately $1-$6 per linear foot) Some of the advantages are the price! Electric can be easy to install, and a visible barrier. The down sides is you must have an energizer and often folks buy the cheaper products and do not install correctly. This leaves an aggravating high maintenance fence and horses running amuck. Board Fence (approximately $10-$12 per linear foot) Advantages to a board fence is that it’s very safe, visible, and pleasing to the eye! The downside is it can be high maintenance, often horses will knock boards off. The lack of

Woven Wire Fences (approximately $3.25 per linear foot) Sheep, goats, pigs and poultry are difficult to contain. They climb, dig, or fly through many fences, so for years woven wire has been the choice for these animals. It’s also favored by many horse owners—as horses are less likely to get tangled in woven wire than in barbed wire—ideally 3in x 3in squares or less should be used to prevent a hoof from going through the fence. High Tensile Wire Fences (approximately $1.75 per linear foot without energizer) High-tensile wire fencing is effective in both smooth and woven wire designs. High- tensile wire is extremely strong and has a life expectancy up to 50 years, with minimal maintenance. Initial construction costs can be high, and it requires specialized tools that you may have to purchase, but it is perhaps the most economical and trouble- free fence if amortized out

over the life of the fence. It is durable and heavy-duty. Additional steps should be taken to make the fence visible as it can be hard to see therefore putting horses at risk for injury. If a leg gets over the thin wire it can cause severe cuts. Metal fence/continuous panels (approximately $10 - $16 per linear foot) Metal pipe fencing is one of the strongest and longest-lasting fence materials. It will stand

9 Everything Horses and Livestock® | August 2020 | EHALmagazine.com