Another vinyl fence thread

[SugarCubes]

We are getting ready to put in fencing for our paddocks, pasture, and arena and due to our strict HOA we are probably going to have to go with three-rail vinyl. I know there have been several threads about how awful vinyl fencing is for horses, and I’ve boarded at a place with cheap vinyl fencing where boards would constantly pop off.

I have however, been looking at heavy duty vinyl fencing made specifically for horses (I think a lot of people buy the residential stuff thinking it will hold up, and it doesn’t!) and plan to run hot wire along the top rail. Anyone have this same configuration? Just wanting to hear how it’s held up over the years. I will only have two horses at home, both very mellow and not prone to challenging the fence at all.

Also, any recommendations on where to buy the fencing would be helpful too Thanks!

[Mosey_2003]

The most important detail in vinyl fence is proper installation. If you’re not setting posts straight it’s gonna look like crap. If you’re not confident you can do a good job, it’s worth hiring someone that can.

[SugarCubes]

[QUOTE=Mosey_2003;8318582]
The most important detail in vinyl fence is proper installation. If you’re not setting posts straight it’s gonna look like crap. If you’re not confident you can do a good job, it’s worth hiring someone that can.[/QUOTE]

It will be professionally installed

[horsepoor]

I have a neighbor that put in three rail vinyl at least 15 years ago, maybe more. It is the good stuff and was well installed. $$$$$ but it still looks good. Green unless washed (originally white), being in the PNW, but all intact. Does have hotwire ran along the inside to keep leaners off it.

[SugarCubes]

[QUOTE=horsepoor;8318672]
I have a neighbor that put in three rail vinyl at least 15 years ago, maybe more. It is the good stuff and was well installed. $$$$$ but it still looks good. Green unless washed (originally white), being in the PNW, but all intact. Does have hotwire ran along the inside to keep leaners off it.[/QUOTE]

Good to know, thanks horsepoor! I’m thinking hotwire is the key to making it last! I know it won’t hold up to leaners or kickers, but if they respect the hotwire and keep off the fence, I’m hoping it will be fine.

[clanter]

well if you are ever in a drought be sure to plow a fire break as if a fire gets to the fence it will melt to the ground…

as for the pushing out of rails, that can be eliminated by removing the post top cap then drilling through the ends of the rails inside the post then drop a 9 ga wire down through the holes to lock the rails in the post… you can get flexible drill bits that are three feet long these are used in the security industry to install alarm cables in existing structures

[brody]

Wood rails would burn too

[Cindyg]

Ours is Saratoga, and it’s around 20 years old. Looks like new. Never pops out. I’m very happy with it.

If you go to my horse’s FB page, you can see a picture of it in the cover photo.

[clanter]

[QUOTE=brody;8320681]
Wood rails would burn too[/QUOTE]

usually is a grass fire wooden posts/rails just char and still remain standing whereas the PVC just becomes a blob melted to the ground

[SugarCubes]

[QUOTE=Cindyg;8320685]
Ours is Saratoga, and it’s around 20 years old. Looks like new. Never pops out. I’m very happy with it.

If you go to my horse’s FB page, you can see a picture of it in the cover photo.[/QUOTE]

Very nice! Do you also use hot wire on it?

[Ambitious_Kate]

[QUOTE=Cindyg;8320685]
Ours is Saratoga, and it’s around 20 years old. Looks like new. Never pops out. I’m very happy with it.

If you go to my horse’s FB page, you can see a picture of it in the cover photo.[/QUOTE]

That doesn’t look like the vinyl fencing, it looks like PVC. Isn’t the OP talking about the vinyl rails which come rolled up and you unroll them onto your posts and have to tension itfrequently and need a really high tensile corner brace to keep it tight, etc?

[Ambitious_Kate]

I guess I’m wrong. Carry on.

[Cindyg]

It’s vinyl, and, yes, we have added one strand of hot wire. It is not necessarily necessary. It depends on the horse. My Fjord is pretty hard on everything in his environment.

[Outyougo]

We has the “Ramm Flex Fence” installed Love it P{rodyce comes in 660 foot rolls In some places I use it on top of teh “Forse Fence” mesh and other places (arena) as a 3 rail fence.

Mine is brown so no issue with mold It is great horse just bounce off it!

[SugarCubes]

[QUOTE=Outyougo;8328290]
We has the “Ramm Flex Fence” installed Love it P{rodyce comes in 660 foot rolls In some places I use it on top of teh “Forse Fence” mesh and other places (arena) as a 3 rail fence.

Mine is brown so no issue with mold It is great horse just bounce off it![/QUOTE]

I had originally gotten estimates to do the Centaur flex rail fencing, which I think is nearly the same as the Ramm flex fence. I’ve driven past some farms in the area with the same fencing and it is sagging and looks terrible, so I changed my mind. I suppose it just depends on how well it is installed and maintained though? I’m assuming you don’t have those issues with your fence? I may look into that again, it’s way more cost effective! What did you use for your fence posts? Any pics by chance?

[DHCarrotfeeder]

[QUOTE=SugarCubes;8329076]
I had originally gotten estimates to do the Centaur flex rail fencing, which I think is nearly the same as the Ramm flex fence. I’ve driven past some farms in the area with the same fencing and it is sagging and looks terrible, so I changed my mind. I suppose it just depends on how well it is installed and maintained though? I’m assuming you don’t have those issues with your fence? I may look into that again, it’s way more cost effective! What did you use for your fence posts? Any pics by chance?[/QUOTE]

Sagging flex rail is a sign of laziness. Mine haven’t sagged yet however when I’ve taken down a rail to maintain it I simply used a screwdriver across the notches of the ratcheting tensioner to retension it.