Fences are an extremely important part of any farm’s setup. Whether you have prize horses or raise a small group of sheep and goats, a fence can keep your animals from getting hurt or lost. Depending on your personal pastures, there are different fences that will work best for your own individual needs.
If you keep cattle, you have the most options of any livestock owner. Cattle are not particularly adept at breaking out of fences. Make sure that each part of your fence is about five feet high, though, or they may be able to step over it. You can pick whatever material of fence that’s most reasonable (and affordable) for your situation– this will depend on how much pasture you’re looking to cover. Wooden fences are popular, as are more industrial sorts like wire. The only exception is when you have both males and females whom you keep separated. In this case, you will need to select a strong fence that will keep the males out. Be sure to ground your posts well, and consider setting them in concrete for added stability.
For horses, select a fence that provides high visibility. Your horse needs to see the fence so that they won’t accidentally become entangled in it and injured. Again, wooden fences are extremely popular– after all, when we picture an ideal horse pasture with lush green rolling hills, we usually imagine it with this sort of fence. Metal fences will also do the job, as long as you use large panels and not delicate mesh. Avoid using barbed wire because your horses can easily be injured by this.
Smaller livestock such as sheep and goats will require a fence that keeps them contained but also keeps predators like coyotes out. Goats are masters of escape, so tall fences far away from anything they can climb are best. Opt for metal or vinyl so that the animals can’t chew their way out. For sheep, avoid barbed wire, because they tend to get their wool caught in the barbs. Some choose to use electric fences for the best protection against predators but keep in mind that these can pose a hazard to your animals as well.
By selecting the best fence for your animals, you’ll ensure that they’re protected from the outside and kept inside at the same time. If you aren’t sure what is best for you and your pastures, we can help you to decide.
