We are in the process of putting the fencing plan together for our small 9 acre farm. For the perimeter fencing, we are thinking of going with a 5 ft Ramm or Centaur flex rail fence with 4 rails.
The fenced area is well set back and separated by trees from the road.
I’m wondering if we should be considering 3 flex rails and a strand of coated hot wire.
If I don’t go with the hot wire, I’m not sure if my fence will be adequately secure.
Any insights are appreciated!
On my 4 strand Centaur wire fence the top wire and the third wire are hot and it keeps my horses from testing the fence. They can still safely nibble along the bottom cold wire but they know where the hot zones are located. Plus, a hot wire on top will slow down some human trespassers.
As someone who has had her horses at home for almost 20 years, and the first 5 without a hot wire- DO THE HOTWIRE!!!
You will never regret doing it. You will regret not doing it when your horses have violated the fence at 2 am and you are chasing them down through your neighbors yards after 3 inches of rain.
I dare you to ask me how I know!!! ; )
[QUOTE=cutter99;8220816]
As someone who has had her horses at home for almost 20 years, and the first 5 without a hot wire- DO THE HOTWIRE!!!
You will never regret doing it. You will regret not doing it when your horses have violated the fence at 2 am and you are chasing them down through your neighbors yards after 3 inches of rain. [/QUOTE]
Yeah, this.
It’s such a truly minimal investment in the grand scheme of fencing costs, and pays off greatly in peaceful night’s sleep. 'Cause once those a-holes figure out they can breech the wall, they do it over and over until you can finally get to the feed store before it closes and get supplies…
If you are doing the wide rails, you could opt for the Hot Rail (Centaur) that can be electrified. Or as you said, the coated wire (Centaur’s is White Lightning) is another option. What I did, since I somehow was under the impression then that Centaur did not make the White Lightning in brown, was to use 3 rails of wide Centaur HTP in brown then just added a regular hotwire at the top to keep leaners and butt rubbers off the fence. Cheap and easy addition.
I definitely think having a rail or wire hot is necessary if only to protect the fence from damage. I feared that my one big warmblood, who is a serious butt rubber, to the point he will practically fall down sometimes, would end up rubbing his butt on the Centaur, stretching it out, and having it act as a slingshot for him across the pasture.:lol: The hotwire prevented such a scenario!
Haha - horsepoor that is too funny!
Thanks everyone for all the good info! I do think I will incorporate a hot wire for more security.
Now I guess I just have to decide if I want to do the white lightning or the actual flex rail with the hot through it.
Thanks again!
No, depending on the fence, you don’t need one, But, it will save a lot of wear and tear on the fence, makes believers out of many horses and frequebtly save the fence from the munchers.
[QUOTE=cutter99;8220816]
As someone who has had her horses at home for almost 20 years, and the first 5 without a hot wire- DO THE HOTWIRE!!!
You will never regret doing it. You will regret not doing it when your horses have violated the fence at 2 am and you are chasing them down through your neighbors yards after 3 inches of rain.
I dare you to ask me how I know!!! ; )[/QUOTE]
Yes, this.
As others have said, the other advantage to the hot wire is that it helps to protect your fences.
I think it depends on the horses and on the turn out space. We don’t have any hotwire on our property. Our perimeter fences are no-climb with a top rail, and the cross fences are 3 rail split rail. The fields are large enough for the number of horses in them, and we rotate frequently so they have grass to nibble on through most of the year. We have absolutly no problems with our horses testing, leaning on, or reaching over our fences. That’s including a big WB, a large clydesdale mare, as well as some mischeievous young stock. We’ve debated putting hotwire up around one of the paddocks, in case we ever got in a horse that needed it, but it’s not a priority for us, since we’ve had absolutly zero issues.
[QUOTE=ElementFarm;8221152]
I think it depends on the horses and on the turn out space. We don’t have any hotwire on our property. Our perimeter fences are no-climb with a top rail, and the cross fences are 3 rail split rail. The fields are large enough for the number of horses in them, and we rotate frequently so they have grass to nibble on through most of the year. We have absolutly no problems with our horses testing, leaning on, or reaching over our fences. That’s including a big WB, a large clydesdale mare, as well as some mischeievous young stock. We’ve debated putting hotwire up around one of the paddocks, in case we ever got in a horse that needed it, but it’s not a priority for us, since we’ve had absolutly zero issues.[/QUOTE]
My three horses get turned out on six acres of heaven: https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/v/t1.0-9/10628144_10154554257430215_6587332294169256163_n.jpg?oh=850d991097249e800037d2305f723d2e&oe=561B49E4 and the little mule will STILL slip out through the 500’ of electric on the backside (where it was too wet to sink wood posts) and walk himself back to the barn if he decides the weather is not to his liking and the solar charger is not putting out top amps.
The fat QH will also shimmy out of said field of heaven to go range around the rest of the property like a wild mustang: https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/58764_10150273091755215_3796420_n.jpg?oh=81794159e212da814f9e2f447d087dd5&oe=56249F59 Grass is always greener, of course!
But like I said, I have a bunch of a-holes. :lol:
Please hot wire but another thing I would recommend it to put your top rail high enough to discourage leaning over in the first place. My wood fencing is too low so it is easier for them to lean over to check out the grass and then they break the board and then escape. My hotwire is broken!
[QUOTE=ElementFarm;8221152]
I think it depends on the horses and on the turn out space. We don’t have any hotwire on our property. Our perimeter fences are no-climb with a top rail, and the cross fences are 3 rail split rail. The fields are large enough for the number of horses in them, and we rotate frequently so they have grass to nibble on through most of the year. We have absolutly no problems with our horses testing, leaning on, or reaching over our fences. That’s including a big WB, a large clydesdale mare, as well as some mischeievous young stock. We’ve debated putting hotwire up around one of the paddocks, in case we ever got in a horse that needed it, but it’s not a priority for us, since we’ve had absolutly zero issues.[/QUOTE]
Same here. I have 5’ high four-board perimeter fence and they don’t test it. For internal fencing (for rotation) I do have HorseGuard tape and love it. I think it depends on your horses.
[QUOTE=coco10;8221020]
Now I guess I just have to decide if I want to do the white lightning or the actual flex rail with the hot through it.[/QUOTE]
I have 4 of the 5" Centaur flex rail and have added 3 strands of whitelightning on the inside. The fence is 5’ tall but the a**hole longhorn bull of ours decided he could shimmy through the fence and help himself to the neighbor’s garden.
If you think chasing a wild mustang around the farm is fun try getting a longhorn bull, with a 6’ spread, back where he is supposed to be. And it especially gets fun when he realizes you’re holding a bucket of feed…
I have Centaur flex rail. I have added a line of Horse Guard tape along the top. It keeps the horses from leaning on top rail of the fence.
Put the hotwire in, you can always leave it turned off and save on electricity until you need it.
Redoing one paddock in 3 strand electric tape with a top board. Will redo the whole farm that way once I have enough money.
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