Cross Fencing Options

[splitrockfarmnc]

Searched for this but didn’t find what I was looking for. Feel free to link to recent and relevant posts!

After much hemming and hawing about what type of pasture fencing I want (and what the budget will allow), I have come to the conclusion that horses can kill themselves on just about anything. The best fence is one that is sturdy, installed correctly, made of reasonably safe materials, and is HOT. So, I have decided to go with wood posts and electrobraid for the main pasture fencing (don’t try to change my mind, I can’t take the internal conflict and the fence guy is already ordering supplies soo… ;)).

​​​​​​Anyway, since the horses will probably come home in winter, I would like to be able to block off certain areas of the pasture to let sections of it rest as much as possible. There will be a second and third pasture in the future but that won’t be included in this round of fence building so rotation between pastures is not an option, only rotation within the pasture. My question is, what have you used for cross fencing? Did you electrify it, and how? This cross fencing needs to be temporary and easily moved by 1 or 2 people. I have seen several types that would probably work but I’m wondering what people have had success with.

[horsepoor]

What I use for temporary cross fencing is just cheap electric tape (1/2") on those step in type posts, which I can run across pretty easily and hook up to my perimeter fence (Centaur HTP rails with electric around the top so I can hook in to that electric as needed). This works ok for my fence respecting horses when I want to fence off an area to let it grow or whatever. It is easy to put up, take down, or move. I have more permanent cross fencing that is Horseguard tape (so wider ~2") on t-posts with covers, but that doesn’t get moved. I’ve also used the Horseguard on their fiberglass posts for temp fencing but it does require more effort to put in than the step-ins and skinny tape, is more expensive, but also looks better and would work for the less-fence-respectful horse.

[moving_to_dc]

You will easily be able to put up a really nice looking TIGHT cross fence by ending it on proper insulators mounted to your wood posts. You can tie in to the charge on your electrobraid and pass it to the insulators to power the cross fence.

For line posts, I just use the fiberglass step-ins, spaced about 12’.

I prefer Horse Guard tape, but you can use cheaper brands… I dislike poly wire for cross fencing due to low visibility, and I don’t like the 1/2" tape because nobody makes end line insulators that hold it well, and it always seems to look sloppy, even when you make sure it has no twists in it.

I have been cross-fencing pastures as described above for 18+ years now with big and little horses, and cattle. No issues, but I always have it HOT.

[4LeafCloverFarm]

I also use the plastic step-in posts and attach the wire to my perimeter fence. If its a fairly long run from one end to the other, I also use the short T-posts every so often, with standard fence insulators to help tighten up the wire.

[poltroon]

Horseguard has a nice kit with their fiberglass posts. I like those posts better than trying to use the plastic step in posts, which are fairly short. Agree, though, that pounding those posts in does take a little time.

In general, I find that moving fencing, no matter how easy it is meant to be, is such a pain that I cannot expect to do it exactly when the grass needs it. Thus, for me it is better to set up semi-permanent fencing with appropriate water always easy to fill and move the horses on demand rather than expect that I’ll have time to move fence every two weeks (say). YMMV.

Your sense of how hard or easy it is to move posts will probably vary by the ground you have. Mine gets very hard in summer and there’s no post that goes in (or comes out) all that easy without a bucket of water when that is happening.

Also, in general, I feel that short posts are more of a hazard to horses than tall ones - it’s the short ones where a horse is most likely to impale themselves.

[Cynical25]

I also use step-in posts and electric tape, since I can easily tie in to my perimeter electric. Do keep in mind this is temporary, and a bored/determined/hungry/running horse can easily knock it over - I consider it more of a mental barrier for horses who are generally good about not testing fence lines.

[EventerAJ]

Step-in posts and electric tape works great. The was skeptical at the low height, but as long as the tape is hot, it did the job well, even with rambunctious 17h TBs, or mares and foals. For placid, fence saavy horses one single stand of tape is enough, but I usually use two strands, one at top of the stick and the other about halfway down. Be sure to twist the tape once or twice between posts, it will keep the wind from flapping it loose, as will happen if the tape is straight flat the whole way. I step in the posts about 12ft apart, closer around curves or corners.

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[mmeqcenter]

Another vote for step in posts and polytape or polyrope tied to existing electric lines to get it hot.

[wsmoak]

I’m currently using Premier1 Horse Quik Fence to keep one ancient horse in his dry lot and out of the pasture when it’s too wet.

https://www.premier1supplies.com/fencing.php?mode=detail&fence_id=117

It needs good end/corner posts but other than that it works great. Obviously it’s not a physical barrier, but it’s hot and he doesn’t go near it. I might think twice with a young gelding who hasn’t developed all his decision making skills yet, but I think it would just snap if a horse tried to go through it.

[Horseman15]

If you have a front end loader you can easily move metal t-posts around. There’s a gas powered post driver you can use (or rent) that makes easy work of driving in the posts (even in the shale at my place). I use the 2 inch electric fence ribbon with the yellow clips. Easy to move and make live with a jumper wire. And with the posts left in and the fence removed the yellow caps and clips are easy for the horses to see. It’s how I split the lower pasture in to sections in the winter.

If your horse doesn’t respect fences the step in and fiberglass posts will be worthless (ask me how I know). The key is to keep all of the stands hot on whatever you use with temporary fencing.

[TMares]

I use this style of step in- they are aging better than the ‘normal’ squarish plastic ones.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/sunguard-ii-3-8-in-fiberglass-step-in-post

I use white poly tape and tie it into my existing electric fence.