The Best and Worst Horse FencingSafe and secure horse fencing should be every owner's priority and should be thoroughly checked before any horse is left alone in the field. Sadly, many owners often give little thought to the perils of an incorrectly fenced paddock. If you are looking for a field to rent - we recommend walking the entire perimeter before exposing your horse to potential dangers. Ensure the horse fencing is not only secure and sufficiently robust to keep your animal within the required boundaries, but also that it is not constructed using materials that could potentially injure him. What's The Worst That Could Happen? Many paddocks are fenced with barbed wire or plain wire stock fencing. Although the cheaper option - both of these are highly inadvisable for use with horses. Aside from the danger it presents to your horse, barbed wire is the unofficial "rug destroyer".
However, horses are adept at getting their legs entangled in the wire panicking when they are unable to free themselves. Sadly, the end result can be fatal because the horse breaks a leg and has to be put down. The Best SolutionThe best horse fencing is wooden post and rail (shown below) or natural barriers such as hedgerows or walling. Post and rail is more expensive but a cheaper, heavy-duty plastic option is available.
Electric fencing is useful as a temporary alternative for strip-grazing or sectioning-off part of your paddock. Make sure that the connectors are attached outside of the fenced area so your horse has no access to the battery or wiring. Check the fencing regularly - if the line touches the ground at any point it will discharge the current and drain your battery. Some horses are oblivious to the current so are completely undeterred by this form of barrier! Shetlands - are you reading this...?! Stallion fencing is usually considerably higher (at least double the height) than standard fencing to prevent escape and unwanted pregnancy. This type of is best constructed using post and rail to ensure the sturdy barrier cannot be breached by an over-eager male looking for a hot date! If you would like to find out more about the other topics covered under our Fencing and Pasture Management section, click on the links below:-
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Stock fencing as shown in the picture on the left is typically used for pasture grazed by sheep or cattle. 
