December 2020
When selecting any fencing ensure it is safe and sufficiently strong. Fencing should be inspected daily; it is important to note that if your horse escapes from their pasture because of inadequate or unsafe field boundaries you may be liable for any damage caused. Be cautious where hedgerows are used as the sole boundary as they can become weak and require reinforcement. Be aware that any poorly erected, unused or discarded fencing can also present a risk to wildlife.
The BHS recommends in general that fences should be 1.25m (4ft) high with the lower rail set 0.5m (1ft 6in) above the ground; more specifically we suggest fencing heights of:
- Horses: 1.08m-1.38m (3.6ft-4.6ft)
- Ponies: 1m-1.3m (3.3ft-4.3ft)
- Stallions: 1.25m-2m (4.1ft-6.5ft). Where the minimum height is used, a double fence line is also advisable with an electric fence line along the top of the field boundary.
Type of Fencing
|
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
Wooden Post and Rail
|
- Safe and secure
- Highly visible
|
- Expensive
- Requires treatment to preserve wood
- Some horses may chew the wood
|
Stone Walls
|
- Durable
Provides some shelter
|
- Expensive to build, requiring skilled labourer
- Time consuming to maintain
|
Electric Tape
|
- Low maintenance
- Versatile
- Can be used to divide fields
- Relatively low cost
|
- Can be insecure
- Some horses may not respect the fencing boundary
- Not suitable as the sole boundary fence
|
Stock Fencing
|
- Beneficial to ensure boundaries are secure for all animals on the land if cross grazing is undertaken. |
- Potential for injuries, with the risk of hooves becoming caught. If used to secure other livestock in the field, a secondary fence line e.g. electric fencing should be used to prevent the horses reaching the stock fencing |
|
Unsuitable Fencing for Horses |
|
Plain Wire
|
N/A |
- Wire has poor visibility and a potential to cause injury. If used it must be kept completely taut and with a top rial of timber. |
Barbed Wire
|
N/A |
- Never to be used with horses as it has the potential to cause severe and permanent injury. |
Resources
1) The British Deer Society. Fencing hazards to deer. Available here