A Look at the Best Fencing Options for Horses

The Best Fencing for Horses

When it comes to buying fencing for horses, you should know about all of the best options. Check out this guide to get all the info you need.

A large part of being a responsible and diligent horse owner is knowing how to keep your property safely and securely contained. In its earliest forms, fencing for horses was limited to basic designs built out of sticks and stones.

Today, there are a myriad of different fencing options available. There are many features to consider, from material composition to price point, ease of installation, and more.Today, we’re sharing some of the most famous horse fence models on the market. We’ll also share how to find the one that best fits the needs of you and your farm.

Wire Fencing

There’s a reason so many people choose wire fencing to mark out the boundaries of their horse farm. This material is smooth, durable, and easy to install.

At Cashmans, we offer heavy-duty welded-wire fence panels that are strong enough to stand up to the daily wear and tear that large livestock can put on them. 

These panels can vary in size depending on the type of animals you need to contain. Our welded wire goat and cattle panels are 4 feet by 16 feet while our wire horse panels are slightly larger at 5′ by 16′.

Pros of Wire Fencing

Wire fencing is an affordable fencing option. It’s easy to install and moves easily when you need to relocate it. 

Cons of Wire Fencing 

One drawback of wire horse fencing is that it can blend in with its surroundings, making it difficult for your horses to see. This could cause them to accidentally run into it, which could cut them. 

A highly visible wire fence option is a Coated High-Tensile Wire Fencing. Our Polyplus Fence features 12.5 gauge, pre-straightened, galvanized high-tensile wire embedded in a polymer coating. The coated wire is safer and easier to see. 

Our wire panels feature smaller openings to help avoid this risk. At only 2″ by 4″, each opening is too small for a horse to stick its head or hooves through, though it’s still important to watch this area closely. 

Note that wire fencing is also best suited as a physical barrier only. Even if your horses are aware of its presence, they could still lean up against it, which could bend the wires over time. As long as you maintain a regular maintenance schedule and check your wire fencing and wire panels often for weak or damaged areas, you can rest assured that it will last and serve its purpose for a long time. 

Electric Braided Fencing

Are you concerned about the visibility issues that wire horse fencing can present? If so, then take a look at our electric braided fencing system. Specially designed to be ultra-resilient and flexible, it also helps reduce the cutting injuries that can sometimes occur with wire fencing.

For farmers who need a secure, low-cost fencing solution, the Elite Rope Fence is ideal. This is an attractive and safe electrified rope, available in 1000-foot length. It’s our high-performing poly rope, with six strands of tinned copper running inside of it. 

Why tinned copper? This material is capable of withstanding even the roughest environments, holding up well against extreme temperatures, high humidity, and wet conditions. 

Pros of Electric Rope Fencing

Electric rope fencing is an affordable fencing option and easy to install. It’s also highly secure and a cinch to maintain.

Our Elite Rope Fence is a more aesthetically pleasing alternative to some of the more brightly-hued electric fences that once dominated the marketplace.  It also boasts a breaking strength of 1,800 pounds, which makes it stronger than other, similar products, including:

• Board fencing
• High-tensile wire fencing
• PVC fencing
• Electric tape fencing 
• Other types of rope fencing 

Cons of Electric Rope Fencing

Electric rope fencing does an incredible job of keeping horses within a designated area, and our high-strength option can even help stop and contain a collision. However, if the force is exceptionally strong, the rope can break, allowing your animals to get out. 

Flex Rail Fencing

If you love the look of a traditional wooden board or Kentucky board fence, then check out our Flex Rail Fencing. While it delivers the classic and rustic appearance of a traditional split-rail fence, it’s specially designed to never split or rot. 

The star of this solution is our 5″ Cenflex Fence. This rail system uses three, 12.5-gauge galvanized high-tensile steel wires, all embedded in a rugged HTP Polymer coating and secured via a unique heat shrinking process.  

Pros of Flex Rail Fencing

The power of this fencing lies in its inherent strength and flexibility. The rails can support up to 4,000 pounds of pressure at any point. This means that if your horse runs into one, there’s virtually no risk of injury or property damage.

Rather, most horses will gently bounce back off, which keeps your livestock investment and your fence intact. While the fence might flex a little on impact, it will quickly return to its original shape. 

If for any reason, the impact is severe and a rail does break, you don’t have to spend a ton of time or money on an extensive replacement. Most flex rails are easy to mend with a simple splice buckle. 

Cons of Flex Rail Fencing

The only drawback to flex rail fencing is that it can come at a slightly higher price point than some other models. However, the ROI is impressive, especially considering that repairs and replacements are minimal.

Which Fencing For Horses Should You Try?

It’s important to choose the right type of fence for your horses. You want to select a product that will withstand their impact and keep your livestock safe at every turn. 

While these are some of the most common types of fencing for horses available, they aren’t the only ones. Feel free to take a look at the full selection in our online shop to view all of our available products. If you’re local to Delaware, OH, we also offer fast and easy drive-up pickup services for easy shopping!If you have any questions, call us at (740) 363-6073 and our highly experienced staff will be able to address any questions you have.