Fencing for Horses - Which Should You Choose?

There are many options to choose from, and sometimes it gets confusing to choose the "right" type for the usage! Thus, I shall skim over the different types of fencing and the pros and cons of each. Remember that when choosing fencing, price is not the only factor; there also is safety, maintenance (how much spare time do you really have?), and terrain-type to consider.

Buck (or Split Rail) Fencing

Buck fencing is ideal for rocky or treacherous terrain, as it simply rests upon the grounds surface and does not require postholes.

Pros

• Works great over rocky or uneven terrain.
• Rustic-looking.
• Is portable if built lightweight enough.

Cons

• Will require some maintenance as it is only wood.
• Can invite your horse to chew and/or crib.

Steel Pipe and Rod Fencing

Simple, strong, and manageable.

Pros

• Very strong.
• Safe.
• Works great for pens and runs.
• Very little maintenance required.

Cons

• Posts must be set in concrete.
• Very little flexibility.
• Strict and business-like appearance.

Electric Fencing

Electric fencing works great in most cases.

Pros

• Safe.
• Teaches horse to respect fencing. (Unless the horse knows how to sneak through it).
• Inexpensive.
• Quick to set up.

Cons

• Insulators and controls require maintenance.
• Some horses may already know (or learn) how to run through electric fences. If you have a horse that does this, electric fencing is not a good choice!

PVC Fencing

Don't buy PVC fencing unless your horses don't act like horses.

Pros

• Has a clean, "fancy" look.
• Has decent visibility.

Cons

• Expensive.
• Flimsy.
• Horses won't always respect it (unless very well trained).
• You know what's interesting? Companies that sell PVC fencing for horses suggest setting up electric fencing beside it. They have a point!

Vinyl-Coated Wood Fencing

Vinyl-coated wood fence; very similar to polyethylene or PVC coated wood fencing.

Pros

• Very low maintenance.
• Nice looking.
• Good visibility.
• Not as flimsy as other plastic fences.
• Deters chewing.

Cons

• Seems to be very expensive.

Continuous Fencing

Continuous fencing is overall pretty awesome.

Pros

• Low maintenance.
• Safe.
• Decently priced.

Cons

• Not very visible.

Smooth Wire Fencing

Smooth wire fencing is country-looking and safe.

Pros

• Economical.
• Less likely to cause lacerations than barbed wire.
• Won't sag due to snow build-up.

Cons

• Horses may start leaning against it.
• Requires maintenance.

Barbed Wire Fencing

The harmful barbs of barbed wire are not ideal. These fences were designed for cows, not horses!

Pros

• Sometimes provides a slight mental barrier.

Cons

• Can seriously rip up an animal's skin, leading to possible infection.
• Barbed wire was designed for cows, not horses. That itself should say something about its safety for horses.
• A lot of maintenance required.

Field Fencing

Stay as far away from this type of fencing as possible.

Pros

• ...None?

Cons

• Can be very dangerous to horses- both big and small. Within a year, I learned that our horse had died from this fencing, and I also saw a deer that had to be shot because of this type of fencing. Please, please do not use this. There are many safer options out there.