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  Discussion on Safe Fencing for Foals
Author Message
Member:
Gldilox

Posted on Monday, Jan 5, 2004 - 11:30 am:

We are expecting our first foals in a few monthe and are preparing a new barn and pasture for them and their mommies. We have 4-rail Centaur HTP fencing in our other pastures, but I was wondering if anyone has had a problem with foals escaping under the fence. Our other option is no climb with a Centaur top rail.
Member:
Jojo15

Posted on Monday, Jan 5, 2004 - 1:17 pm:

I have been fence researching... I considered Centaur HTP one of the most durable ones on my list. From what i am learning can you add an electric wire line down on the last rung? for the foals... How high is your fence line? I can't imagine them being able to jump a 4 rail.

jojo
Member:
Gldilox

Posted on Monday, Jan 5, 2004 - 5:50 pm:

I'm more worried about them going under it. Our fence is 50" tall as we have some tall horses - TWH and TB.

We installed the Centaur last year and have a hot wire between the two top rails. They've come out with something new this year, however - hot wire integrated on the top of the Centaur rail. It looks very cool.
Member:
Tagloili

Posted on Monday, Jan 5, 2004 - 6:54 pm:

It has been my experience that the only safe fence for a foal is what is called diamond weave horse fence and it must have a top rail (I've seen them try to climb such a fence and without a top rail, they could very well get over) and a bottom rail so that the foal cannot get a leg for foot under it. Can be seen at:
https://www.systemfence.com/pages/fencewire_mesh.htm
Member:
Jjet

Posted on Tuesday, Jan 6, 2004 - 12:01 am:

Have you had experience with foals before? My experience has been that they are the most curious, bumbling troublemakers to ever walk the earth. And worth every moment they put you through. All kidding aside, they truly do get into a lot of trouble if you don't have proper fencing...they are always testing things! And this lasts til about 3 years old! Personally I would recommend no-climb or equivalent fencing with a hot wire at the top. If there is any opening, they will try to lean through, or put a foot through, etc. If you want them safe, don't have any openings they can get caught in.
Jan
Member:
Canyon28

Posted on Tuesday, Jan 6, 2004 - 12:45 am:

I have been using electro braid fencing now for about 5 years and have only had a few minor injuries with it, usually a rope burn type injury is all they get. A foal can fall or run through it and usually never gets hurt at all. It is extremely easy to install and maintain. I have my posts about 25 feet apart and do not reccommend going any further apart. They claim you can have posts 50 to 75 feet apart, but I think this could be dangerous. I use a 12v solar fencer and it works great. In my foal/weanling paddock I have it strung five lines, in the other areas, only 4 lines are needed. some of the v-mesh/no climb fencing i have seen a foal could put a foot through at the wide end of the v. the most important thing is to make any openings either plenty big, too big for a head or foot to get caught in, or the opening needs be too small for a leg or foot to go through at all. Never use any kind of field fencing, hog fencing, sheep fencing, chicken wire,etc.
Member:
Imogen

Posted on Tuesday, Jan 6, 2004 - 2:03 am:

Make sure you fence off any streams/waterholes...

Imogen
Member:
Nathalie

Posted on Tuesday, Jan 6, 2004 - 6:59 am:

I've had quite a few injuries related to the electro braid fencing. For some reason my hores have a tendency to back them selfs up all the way into the fence. 2 years ago my then yearling got zapped and got so mad at the fence he started to kick at it! Result some real big cuts on his hind legs (both) around the hock joints! Only last week he rolled in the riding ring and hit the fence again, so now the recovery-fun starts all over again . I swear, some horses never learn, no matter what kind of fencing you give them!
Member:
Dres

Posted on Tuesday, Jan 6, 2004 - 10:50 am:

i personally don't like anything that a foal can get stuck in... NO WIRE fencing at all... as the above post they try EVERYTHING...i use the horse guard electric fence with 4 strips of tape in the foal pasture... they get zapped over a few days.. but learn to respect it... i have had a couple get thru but with no injuries at all, and the two that did get thru NEVER tried again after that.. * i can only bet it was a shocking experience*

Ann
Member:
Gldilox

Posted on Tuesday, Jan 6, 2004 - 7:29 pm:

The Centaur is great as far as a horse rolling and getting his legs caught between the rails or running into it - I'm mainly concerned with the foals getting out of the pasture and potentially getting onto the hard road (not too likely, because this is an interior pasture but the outside gate might be open from someone coming in/out) or getting out and colliding with the UPS/Fed Ex driver/contractor zipping down the drive to my house. I may seem overly cautious, because I see many situations that are downright scary and nothing bad seems to happen, but better safe than sorry.
Member:
Bonita

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 7, 2004 - 10:12 am:

I have good old 5'-foot high, oak 4-board & have yet to have a problem. Spaces between the boards are 9", which prevents foals from sliding underneath, & if they do manage to roll or lie down close to the fence, the 9" is wide enough for them to maneuver themselves out. It also prevents horses from sticking their heads thru whenever they feel the "grass is greener on the other side".
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