Horse Fencing - Installing Wire Fencing

Wire fencing provides a relatively maintenance free and cost effective means to building your pastures.  To avoid injury to horses, use approved wire rolls with small openings  (2 x 4 inch) to keep your horse from getting its hooves stuck.  

The wire rolls go up quickly and never needs painting.  Finish off the fence with a top board for extra visibility (to the horses) and provides a clean look.  This also allows for extra height and avoids damage from falling tree branches and "city folk" who are too lazy to walk to the corner.

Other articles discuss the types of fencing, installing fence posts and board fencing.

Wire fencing

Wire fencing

Level of Difficulty

Time Required:
 16 hours
 
 
Tools:
Hammer
Air compressor
Staple gun (heavy-duty)
Fence puller
Leather gloves
Wire clippers or snips
Circular saw
Materials:
Wire fencing
Fencing staples
Straight wire
Nails 16d spiral
Wood cross piece and turnbuckle
Safety Precautions
When using tractor, keep area clear

Planning the Fence

Before you get started, check local zoning and building codes.  Be sure that there are no restrictions in your homeowners association rules.  Observe all property boundary setbacks and utility easements.

With a drawing of your land, mark off where your want to run the fence.  Mark where you want to add gates and walk the perimeter.  If you are crossing any underground utilities, call to have these marked.

Have the fence rolls dropped off close to where they will be installed, preferably on the highest spot.  It's much easier to drag the rolls downhill than uphill.

Layout of pasture

Layout of pasture

No climb horse fence wire roll

No climb horse fence wire roll

Wire fence rolls

Wire fence rolls

Setting the Posts

The posts for wire fencing can vary from 8 to 16 feet or more depending on the terrain, type of fencing and type of soil.  Because of the hilly terrain in out project, the posts are set every 8 feet.  

For more information on fence posts installation, click here

Cross Ties

Because of the tension and pull on the fence, cross sections are needed every 100 feet or so.  Notch the inside of two posts to receive a cross piece.  Straight wire is then wound several times and tightened making a large turnbuckle.

On long sections or where the fence will make a bend, use a double cross tie.

Driving fence post every 8 feet

Driving fence post every eight feet

 Mid section cross tie

Mid section cross tie

 Double cross tie at bend in fence

Double cross tie at bend in fence

Attach the Wire

Unroll the wire fencing adjacent to the posts.  Start by attaching wire on the uphill side.  Stretch this down the entire length of the roll.

Using several of your friends, lift the wire into place, against the posts. Pull the wire as taught as possible.  For a professional job, a fence puller will allow you to add tension using a come-along pulley.  The other trick is to rope the wire to your bumper of your trick, but be careful!

The next section of wire is added by "stitching" the ends together.  Wrap the ends tightly and snip off loose ends to avoid damage to the livestock. 

While the staple gun allows for quick installation, follow up using larger 1-inch heavy staples and hand nail these every 8-12 inches.

Power

To run the air compressor for the staple gun, you will probably need to have a portable generator.  Make sure that there is sufficient wattage to run your tools.  Use at least 2,500 watt, preferably 4,000 or 5,000 watts.  This will be needed to power your saw, drill and air compressor for the staple gun.  

Staple wire fencing

Staple wire fencing

 Using staple gun

Using staple gun

 Portable generator

Portable generator

Adding  a Top Fence Board

To finish off the wire fencing you can optionally add one fence board.  This offers:

  • Attractive finish

  • More visible to horses

  • Less injury to horse neck

  • Protects wire from falling tree branches

For a one person installation, use a spare post to hold the board up for marking and cutting.  Nail the board in place using spiral or ring shank 16d nail.

Additional reading material:

Fencing Options for Horse Farm Management in Virginia from Virginia Tech

Fence supplied from Fenceworks

Fence types from Backyard Gardener

Fencing FAQ's from American Fence Association

Vinyl fencing from the Fence Center, Genova Products, Kroy Building Products

Aluminum fencing and gates from Moultri

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saw top fence board to length

Saw top fence board to length

 Use extra post to hold board up

Use extra post to hold board up

 Nail top board

Nail top board