40 feet of temporary fencing?

[luckycricket123]

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I don’t want to add permanent fencing to close in the paddock because I need to get my truck and other equipment up through that paddock on a weekly basis, so I’ve just locked the horses completely out of that paddock. If I can find a more reliable way to keep my horses contained, I would like to let them back in for spring.

Anyone have any suggestions? I think round pen panels would do the job, but I wonder if they will be too heavy for me to move around regularly. I could also maybe drive two posts 8’ from the end of the existing fencing, kind of like what is below.

[IMG]https://cdn.instructables.com/FOD/KBDE/FCUJWEAH/FODKBDEFCUJWEAH.LARGE.jpg)

[cutter99]

For a length that short, I would definitely use round pen panels. 10’ sections should not be too heavy.

[Bluey]

I move 16’, 175 lbs panels around regularly by myself.

There is an art to moving panels.
You stand with your back to the middle, grab low and balance the panel between your hands low down and the panel leaning a bit on your back.
Then you can walk any one panel, even those monster ones, anywhere you want to go.

When I have help, two of them struggle by grabbing those big heavy ones on the ends and trying to manhandle them.
I don’t say anything, but when I get one to carry, they stand there with their jaws dropping.
Then they try it and find out it sure does work, as long as they are careful to balance them just right.

Ten foot ligher panels, you can almost pick them up with one arm thru the bars and go wherever you want with one.
Our heavier 10’ are about 110 lbs, but there are light ones at 60 lbs you can buy in most feed stores, even Lowes and Home Depot carry those here.

Tractor Supply has several kinds, light yard panels and gates to heavy duty livestock ones.

[4horses]

Get gates with a tire on the bottom. Then you can open both easily!

[4LeafCloverFarm]

@4horses I was thinking the same thing. This is what I use on my gates - mine have had a tendency to sag and this solves that problem:

Speeco Gate Wheel

[poltroon]

Pipe panels are the perfect thing for this job.

If you need to open and close them regularly for a truck, that is what gates are for. They cost the same as pipe panels though you need a post to suspend them from. If you don’t have that, I’d suggest getting a gate wide enough for your truck for one panel, and even if in the short term you are tying both sides with nylon straps or baling twine rather than suspending it, a gate will be easier to move to get a vehicle in and out than a stationary type pipe panel.

[danacat]

For a quick fix: I’d buy 3 galvanized economy gates: 10’ - 14’ - 16’ = 40 ft. Tie the 16’ tight to one outside post with baling twine – then tie the 14’ to the end of that gate and support the juncture by driving in a garden post; also drive in a garden post at opposite end of the 14’ for stability. Then tie the 10’ gate to other post loose enough to allow movement (this will be your hinge) then chain to 14’ gate which will be where you open the 10’ for access. .

[Ghazzu]

What Bluey said. I carry fence panels around with some frequency. Easier than trying to move them with equipment.

[Bluey]

If the OP is going to have a 40’ stretch, panels with legs may fit better than gates, because they should be easier to stabilize with steel T-posts and leave two in the middle where they can be lifted a few inches and swung out of the way to run a vehicle thru, then swing back in place and they will be self standing on one leg to pivot, one to stand on, better than a gate, that could drag on the bottom pipe.

You can then use any one of those places where two of the four panels met as your “gate middle”, don’t put a T-post there, just tie or chain the panels to each other as you would two gates.
That doesn’t has to be the middle of the four panels, but wherever it fits your path best.

You could also make 40’ spot out of 3 14’ panels and leave the middle one just tied on one end and use that one to swing out as a gate, if you can get by with 14’ to drive thru.
The extra 2’ on your 40’ opening just more to fasten to the nearby fence you are working with.

_/ _ with 4 10’ panels, or _/ _ with 3 14’ panels

Hope that makes sense.

[IFG]

I use round pen panels to divide a paddock and do what Bluey suggests. I found that I had to buy an entire round pen to get Priefert to ship to me. I have used the extras as emergency fencing when I have an issue. Round pen panels will differ in weight by brand and grade. I can move the Priefert 12’ Utility panels by sliding them around to open for my truck or whatever.