It’s always good to plan prior to doing anything. This is very relevant in the case of building a fence – and these are some items to think about:
Planning Fence Line
• Mow or clear the fence row – this gives you a clean canvas to build the fence and will help obtain a smooth, flowing fence line.
• We suggest that you get stakes and mark out where you want ends, corners and gateways. Walk around for a few days using the gate openings to see if the plan works for your everyday usage. Measure-up, draw a rough sketch and write down the measurements.
Dealing With Undulating Terrain
Experienced installers believe that the limit of elevation change is 2 degrees per post without the need of a change of angle. To minimize this problem, you should consider all of these points:
• Closer post spacing assists in handling dips and rises.
• Adjust post height – placing them deeper in the ground on a rise and shallower in hollows.
• If possible – Bulldoze the fence line, prior to construction, to flatten and minimize the number of dips and rises.
Fence Specifications
Click here to download various post specifications and suggestions.
The Penn State University Agricultural & Biological Engineering Extension
“Horse Facilities 5: Fence Planning for Horses”
Horse fence can be one of the most attractive features of a horse facility. But not all fence is suitable for horses. Fencing is a major capital investment that should be carefully planned before construction.
Click here to download the “Horse Facilities 5: Fence Planning for Horses” PDF file.
Please check with your local University and Equine Organization for local recommendations for your area.