Fence & Posts

[HorsingHeidi]

I live on a farm that has ( past) housed cows, sheep, goats, horses, ponies… The fence is barbed wire and wood posts. I’m wanting to get a few horses for our family therefore, the fence needs an overhaul. I am taking the barbed wire completely off. The fence posts have cause no issues with past animals so, I see no reason to take them down. That being said, these posts have been here as long as I can remember (18+ years) and some NEED replaced. I’m wanting to get through this fencing process as cheap as I can yet, not ignore safety of the potential inhabitants. So, your recommendations on fencing is greatly appreciated. (Note: not wanting to do electric)

Obviously, I want to replace some of the posts as well. Should I replace with wood and continue using wood post as there seemingly has been no issues? What kind of wood? Or, should I replace the posts with something other than wood?

I am not in this for looks as, I am on a dead end private lane…Approximately 25 acres in this section of pasture.

Thanks so much!

[Mango20]

I would replace the posts that need to be replaced with wooden posts. I think most easily available ones are pressure-treated pine.

What is the spacing between posts? The standard for a wood board fence is 8’ because most boards are 16’ long. Wire fences can often be spaced farther apart. There are other horse-safe options out there besides boards, like no-climb or horse guard, but I’ll let others tell you about those since I don’t have much experience with them.

[Bluey]

What fencing and kind of posts may depend on where you are.

Some places, pipe posts make more sense, in others cedar post, in yet others, whatever is available where you are.

Also depends on your soil what posts and how to “plant” them.

You may want to indicate which region of the country you are in, that would help.

[HorsingHeidi]

I’m in Northern WV.

[4LeafCloverFarm]

I’d keep all the posts the same type, for ease of installation of whatever fence you go with. Pressure treated 4X4’s and 4" or 6" pressure treated rounds are fairly common in our part of the country (I’m in TN). I’d shop around and see where you can get them the cheapest. But do NOT go for landscape timbers to save $, because you’ll be sorry (ask me how I know!). You might also check local saw mills. They won’t have pressure treated, but the lumber is way cheaper than your home deport or Lowe’s.

Field fence is typically the cheapest of the pre-made fences (compared to V-Mesh, non-climb horse fence, etc.). But for 23 acres, that isn’t going to be cheap! Though, I’d check if you get a discount for multiple rolls - that might help out some.

I hate to say it, but the cheapest way is to do some type of electric fence. Or a combination of high tensile wire + electric.

Other than that, you’ve got 3-board or 4-board wood fence. Looks lovely, but does require more maintenance than mesh fences and unless you’re getting the lumber at a saw mill, very expensive.

I wish you luck in your project!