Fence with one side (or two sides) higher than the others??

[Iride]

In re-doing a perimeter wood fence, I’m trying to be economical. It needs to stay wood. Planning on doing 3-board oak fencing …but one side of the fence backs up “fairly” close to another property’s fencing, and there will be a stallion on our property. While he’s not a pusher, jump-outer etc., still, if I had my druthers I’d fork over the extra $$ to make that side 4 board.

My question is, is there a way have things look aesthetically agreeable if we do only one (or two) sides as 4-board, and keep the other 2 or 3 sides as 3-board? Any end post treatments, or something like that, that would waylay the potential awkward look?

I know we should just spring for the whole thing as 4-board, but it’s a pretty large paddock (3.5 acres) and I’m seeking compromises!

[Chestnut_Run]

I would think you could keep it the same height at the top of the top board pretty easily. Most posts are standard heights. It would just be the spacing between the boards that was different between the 3 board and 4 board.

For a stallion, I wouldn’t sacrifice height of the fence, but 3 board or 4 board, I would say doesn’t make much difference.

[Libby2563]

One side of my fence was already in place and is 4’ high, three-board, and painted white. The other three sides that I installed are 5’ high, four-board, and unpainted. I really don’t think it looks bad or weird! When the older fence needs to be replaced, I will make it 5’-high four-board, but it wasn’t worth tearing it down. That section of the fence is alongside a ditch and embankment that the horses would be nuts to jump into.

I have to say, do you think the number of boards (3 vs. 4) really affects whether the horse will challenge the fence? I honestly don’t know, but I would think extra height or a hotwire would be more effective.

[Iride]

Oh yes, we’re putting hotwire on that fenceline (and probably the others, too) regardless.

If the number of boards on a 5-foot fence (or on a 4-foot fence) make no difference to the protection a fence provides (and I guess I always just assumed it did - or is 4-board simply an aesthetic choice??), then I may just stick with 3 board all around, and make sure that the posts on at least that side of the perimeter fence are 5-feet high.

So, 5-foot height, 3-board, and hotwire.

I strongly dislike stallion-height fencing. This stallion lived in one like that in the past, and he sulked, felt claustrophobic and hated it to no end. Overkill for studs like him. Whereas for others, I can see where it would be necessary! :yes:

Not to hijack my own thread but, how does everyone feel about no-climb fencing on wood board fences? Those of you in favor of it, what brand/type do you like?

[ElementFarm]

I love our no-climb. We use it with just a top board, but the neighbors have it in conjunction with their 3-rail fencing and it works/looks great.

I think it keeps the horses from pushing through/under the fence to get to un-grazed grass on the other side, which puts less stress on the fence itself.
I love that it keeps coyotes and other wild animals out, and our farm dogs in… (and strange neighborhood dogs out). It’s very low maintenance and seems to last forever.
We use the one with the red wire on the top – Red Brand.

[Mosey_2003]

I would just make the top board rather high and keep it all three boards. Plus, with the electric, you could run it on top of the posts rather than inside, which will add height. If you use a braided rope, it will be white, so a visual deterrent as well.

[Iride]

Such great ideas. I’m feeling better about sticking with 3-board, as long as the posts are high. Currently they’re 4 feet…of course rolls eyes…which I don’t feel is optimal. I want five feet!!! He’s fairly big (16.3). If I stick with the 4-foot posts…maybe the braided electric fence run along the top would be enough without having to replace all the posts.

Mosey, do you use the white braided type? Is it Electrobraid? I know I’ve seen that brand, but only used as the entire fencing element itself, not as an add-on to boards…

Element, I’ll look into the Red Brand no climb…do you use their regular No Climb or the Keep Safe pattern?

[Chestnut_Run]

I think the big advantage of 4 board fencing vs 3 board is more about keeping foals (and maybe ponies!) from trying to squeeze out between the boards. And it might possibly be better at keeping out stray dogs and such.

We have a stallion too (a compact, but very athletic 16.1 hand Thoroughbred) with a sterling temperament. He is fenced entirely with Electrobraid. He is VERY respectful of fencing, and always has been. I wouldn’t do that with just any stallion, and our farm is just us, no boarders, very, very rural area. Our boy is just a 20’ alleyway from all the other horses–mares, foals, geldings.

If you have a choice of post, 5’ would definitely be better than 4’, but like Mosey said, you can put the electric on top of the posts. A friend of mine had a filly that was a confirmed fence jumper. She screwed 2x4 pieces to her fence posts (upwards–thereby extending the height of the fence), and ran electric on that. Maybe not the most attractive cure, but if the posts are already there, you could do something similar but dress it up, for the stallion field if the 4’ becomes an issue.

[lorilu]

I have no climb and three board along the road, and no climb with just a top board for the rest. Just the regular 2x4 rectangles. Love it, and buy the good stuff- it is not worth it to go cheap, it won’t last.

[Mosey_2003]

Yes, I’ve used the rope for years. Off brand from the farm store. Holds up great, just tighten every year or two.