Anyone make your own wood gates?

[4horses]

My roundpen does not have a standard gate sized opening. I originally just placed a board across with slots to hold it. My horses have learned to lift the board and drop it on the ground. I measured and the opening is 85 inches across. I’m thinking an 83 inch gate would fit. If i were to make my own, how difficult could it be?

Anyone have suggestions? What would be the best hinges to use? As a wood gate is rather heavy.

I’m not sure whether i should add wire to the gate or add plywood sheets to the bottom- i don’t want them stepping on the bottom and leaning on it. Yes I’ve seen my horses do that too.

Suggestions would be appreciated. If anyone has a simple design they feel like sharing?

[DinkyDonk]

When you say “slots” are they the metal things you put a board through, normally used to secure doors from being pushed open? I’ve seen them where they are open on the top and also ones that are closed on the top. Use closed ones, get a longer board if needed, put holes in each end with a hole saw, run chains thru each hole and then around part of the round pen–either the upright end of the panel, or around an actual rail, and secure with a spring clip of some type. Horse(s) will not be able to slide the board out. Cheap, easy, lightweight for you. Hope you can visualize. You could probably just use a board with out the metal slot things as well and just make a hole in each end of the board and run chains through.

[clanter]

the first question would be what are the posts of the opening and can the support a wooden gate?

check YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCXTTXwHS34

but I would face the existing posts with 4by6 treated timbers to narrow the opening to six feet then use a standard gate

the 4by6s can be bolted to the posts using carriage bolts or lagged to wooden posts

if the 85 inch opening is needed for something in the future it is pretty easy to remove the added timbers

[FatCatFarm]

I don’t think I’ve ever seen wooden gates that don’t eventually sag. Our property had quite a few wooden gates when we moved in. All became a PITA to open and close, and sagged. Replaced them all with metal gates. Much happier. YMMV and just something to think about. I agree they do look nice initially though, at least.

[4horses]

I don’t want to narrow the gate. My truck can just fit. I like that YouTube. Nice and straightforward. The support posts should be just fine.

[poltroon]

In my area it’s not a problem to have metal pipe gates custom made, and that’s what I’d suggest first. After you add hinges, the gate will take up a bit more space than you are thinking, depending on the hinge type.

[Greys]

I think that wood gate ultimately could be very heavy and difficult to keep operating smoothly. Would it be possible to use a standard metal gate, but orient the hinges to the exterior of the round pen, and allow the leading edge of the gate to overlap the post?

That could use up some inches off of a 96” gate, but it does leave an inset that a horse could clip a hip or such on the post if you’re working them in the pen. Or perhaps in that situation you could put the boards in your slots when working?

Alternatively, you could replace what I’m envisioning your “slots” to be with bar holders for 2 x 4s. And if you have horses like mine, you’ll have to add eyebolts and trigger snaps to prevent them from sliding the boards out…

greys

[Christa_P]

Use a longer pipe gate and just close it against one of the posts

[crosscreeksh]

@Christa P

Use a longer pipe gate and just close it against one of the posts

THIS! You can also move the panels each side of the gate to accommodate another section of pipe gate. It won’t distort your round pen by very much.