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  Discussion on Fence options--non climb wire with top board or post and board?
Author Message
Member:
Goodpony

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 10, 2002 - 10:26 am:

I have just bought a farm in Nothern Virginia and am considering fence options. Nearly everyone around has three or four board oak fence but after a few years of fixing fence boards I wanted to look into the "non-climb" wire with a top board. Does anyone have experience with this? I know some people put the wire flush to the ground and others leave several inches between the bottom of the fence and the ground. I don't know what is best. I have also heard that horses just bounce off the wire if they hit it but also heard that they can pull shoes off if they kick it. I know that istallation is a bit more complicated but I just wondered if it was a better alternative to post and board. Does anyone have any experience with this type of fence? Please let me know. This is a big investment!
Member:
Dres

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 10, 2002 - 10:39 am:

jan, i know this is not exactly what you asked but i have used two kinds of fencing... the no climb is very nice but i had problems with it, pulled shoes, cut noses, cut fetlocks, and believe it or not, a broken nose, (bridge of the face) from hitting it so hard.. (( no bounce there))... i now have electric tape attached to covered T-posts( sleeves).. in the baby pastures i have 4 'rail's in the adult pastures i use only 3! i have, knock on wood, no accidents,injuries,on this fence! i had one baby horse 'think' she could go through it.. she did.. no injury to her no damage to the fence, and SHE HAS NEVER CHALLENGED A FENCE SINCE... ( she got shocked good!) we have replace all the fencing with this type of fencing...

and it is extremely cost effective...

hope this helps some... Ann..
Member:
Oscarvv

Posted on Friday, Sep 13, 2002 - 8:08 am:

Hi Jan
I have both 3 board and no-climb with a top board. I personally prefer the no-climb. You definitely want the wire down to the ground.
I have lost no shoes and have no injuries from it. The no-climb keeps dogs and other critters out and keeps foals in.
My then yearlings have gotten stuck under the board fence so many times it's scary. They always seem to roll right next to the fence. One had two legs under the bottom board and two legs over. All legs were under past his hocks and knees. Luckily, he is very calm and was small enough to fold up his legs and roll him over.
I had another mare break her leg getting it stuck over the second board. Luckily, with surgery she was OK.
No fence is 100% safe but I prefer my no-climb wire fencing.
New Member:
Sailor7

Posted on Friday, Apr 14, 2006 - 8:02 am:

I know this thread is quite old, but we only have a temporary fence up at the moment (electric tape). We have a problem with unleashed dogs in our area, so I was leaning toward the no-climb with a wood board on the top. It will end up being pricey, so if I am going to spend this much money on a fence I want to make sure it is good for horses.

Are there other fences that would definitely keep dogs, foxes, or coyotes out? I know tape is more cost efficient and so easy to install, but I am guessing that if a dog really wants in that it will get in.

I did read recently that the electric braid fences are very good, but again...what about dogs?

Is there a certain way we should make sure the no-climb is installed? I thought if we used a smaller mesh than the mesh used for cattle that we wouldn't have problems with horses getting their hoofs stuck? Also, I was told we should run some electric tape to keep the horses from leaning on the fence.

We are brand-new to horses, and we are committed to spending the money we need to do it right. There is so much conflicting information out there that it is difficult for us to figure out what to do.

How difficult is the upkeep on a no-climb board fence?

Thanks for any help!
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Apr 15, 2006 - 8:25 am:

Hello Carolinamom,
Click on 'Fences for Horses' at the top of this page. It compares and contrasts various fencing types and gives some installation tips.
DrO
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