fencing against neighbor's properties

[asb123]

Hello - I’m fencing in a field to make a “new” pasture. Each of the four sides has a different fencing scenario so I would appreciate input on how to do this right and safe. Here’s what I’m thinking so far - am I on the right track? Thank you!!!

Side 1 - no existing fence, completely on our property. Have just completed installing 5’ no climb. Will add top rail. Good to go.

Side 2 - up against neighbor’s crappy rusty old field fence. Thinking of 5’ no climb w/top rail on new posts, set in 2’ from neighbor’s fence.

Side 3 - up against another neighbor’s crappy board privacy fence. Thinking same as Side 2.

Side 4 - up against our own 6’ board privacy fence, average condition. Thinking of 3-rail centaur type on existing posts, with hot wire at top.

[ReSomething]

If we ever go to the back and put up fence there, where there is truly crappy field fence and barb wire and no longer any livestock, my intent is to go right to the line with my fence even if it pushes up against theirs and possibly rip out the old fence. We have got good pins for our corners but I don’t want to get into the “that two feet must be mine now” argument.
Otherwise I’d go with what we have, which is a 12 foot wide tractorway and their crappy fence stays as the boundary fence until we mutually agree to fix it up.

KY has fence law also, where the owners must pay half based on the center of the shared property line. So theoretically I could force my neighbor to pay, but that’s not always so nice to do or easy to get the money.

Two feet isn’t enough distance if they ever decide to get or have already got animals that might not be vaccinated or quarantined to your standard, nor is it enough to prevent squealing and over the fence fights. At five feet tall on your side, maybe, but what about theirs?

[ElementFarm]

I would do more than a 2-foot buffer between your fences and the neighbors. Not only can an unvaccinated horse gets yours sick with that short of a distance, but it will be nearly impossible to maintain the ground between the two fences (mow, weed-eat, etc) I’d do 8 feet between fences, that gives you room to get a tractor or lawnmower between, and a safety buffer from your neighbors’ unsafe fencing.

[Guilherme]

Check your state law on boundary fences. It may limit or enhance what you want to do.

Concur that a 2 foot setback is a Bad Idea. You need room to maintain the ground. Just how much depends on how you’re going to maintain it.

There’s nothing wrong consulting with neighbors before you take any steps. It’s often a Good Idea.

G.

[poltroon]

Another agreement that the 2’ setback on permanent fencing is going to suck. Either put it right on the property line or give it an 8’ setback so you can mow and travel it. The 2’ fence line creates ambiguity about where the property line is as well.

[Marla_100]

I put an 8 ft. lane between my fences and neighboring fences, that way they can’t touch noses or play or fight w/ neighbor’s animals. Any less and you have no protection. And your neighbors may get new animals in the future so don’t go by what’s there today.

[Flash44]

Agree, check zoning regs and more spread between the fences.

[asb123]

Thanks so much for all the responses. I will indeed look into this further. I hate to give up so much as 8 feet as the space is not huge to start out with, but all of the reasons why make total sense. Right now its grove and someone’s ghetto back yard on those two sides.

We have a good survey too, but I didnt want to go right up against the boundary in the off chance that someone managed to get a leg up over my fence and got hung up on whatever was on the other side.

How about my idea for Side 4? Nothing is on the other side of our wood fence, just an easement and a dead end road. I wanted to save a bundle by using our existing posts, still in good condition, and I was thinking the centaur in case someone got a leg through.

[Fergs]

Definitely give yourself more of a lane between you and the neighbors. We decided on a 10-foot boundary, and it’s perfect for riding around the property and mowing. We also just got a manure spreader and now we spread manure in that space.

[Foxtrot_s]

The next trick is to decide which side of the posts the railings go.

Traditionally, the side that faces the road has the boards on the road side. The idea being to add curb appeal and make your property look nicer.

The other sides, that you will see, the boards go on the inside, not on the neighbours side.

I would not have enough land to give up 8’, but I am going to put our fences up within our own boundary so nobody can complain about a bit of spray on their side and we can weedeat. No horses next door, tho.

Hope they come next week to do the new fences.

[js]

It would work with 4’ or a bit less if using a push mower, riding mower might need a bit more depending on the size of your mower deck. You do want to maximize it as best you can if you are limited on space and pasture size. If you don’t mind using weed killer, you could always spray those areas so nothing will grow, just don’t over spray your pastures or the neighbors! Are neighbors likely to reach across fences to pet or feed your horses? If yes, consider that in your distance and maybe think about a strand of electric on top or just inside to keep your horses back.

[GotMyPony]

@Foxtrot's;8181904

The next trick is to decide which side of the posts the railings go.

Traditionally, the side that faces the road has the boards on the road side. The idea being to add curb appeal and make your property look nicer.

I always want the fence board inside the posts so it’s harder for my horse to loosen the boards simply by rubbing his big old butt on the top rails or leaning against the fence to check out the “greener grass.” That’s especially important next to the road!

[PeanutButterPony]

Fence boards on the inside.

fence at the property line or with room to maintain the gap.

[cowboymom]

Fence boards are supposed to be on the inside b/c it’s stronger to keep horses in. Not all fences are about “pretty” and the first indication of a “green horn” around here is if the corral rails are on the wrong side! :lol:

[Calvincrowe]

Our fences are on the property line. We just didn’t have enough room to play with setbacks. On 3 sides, there are no animals (ravine, road, Xmas tree farm) on the 4th, we share with a large farm of various animals. That is the driveway side of the property and our horses can’t reach theirs. We are replacing that fence line this summer, as it was originally put in on our land (yeah…good times) and needs to move over to create the actual property line. We will use black steel posts with field fence to contain our dogs and to match the fencing on our fields.

As far as a buffer, 4 feet would be fine. You could easily mow or weed eat that much and with a tall fence/top board, no noses will be touching.

[twelvegates]

If you decide to place your fence on the property line, remember that your posts should be on your property and not straddling the line. Friend of mine wasn’t that careful, and ending up taking down forty acres of fence and moving all posts 4 inches. :no:

[poltroon]

A 4’ lane is mowable by hand but it is useless to you. An 8’ is mowable by tractor, and it also provides a space where you can ride around the perimeter or use it to turn, park, or move a vehicle. 4’ between a 5’ fence is really claustrophobic.

[poltroon]

For side 4, the centaur fence needs posts that are firmly braced on the ends. Your board fence likely is not at the moment. In addition, the centaur has to go around the outside on corners. You can solve that by using it for only a straight run.

If I were working with an existing board fence that was solid and a visual barrier but not something I thought was horse-sufficient, I’d add Horseguard electric tape on the inside and call it done. The board fence is your visual barrier, then the tape keeps the horses off of it. You might need more strands than usual to keep them from being able to access and damage the board fence, but it would still be easier and cheaper than adding the centaur.

[Foxtrot_s]

It is absolutely horrible how some owners are so paranoid about their fences and that is why we are putting ours just a little bit inside the property line.
We don’t have room for any more. But if we plan to spray, or weedeat, we don’t want any arguments.

“Good fences make good neighbours”

[Foxtrot_s]

It is absolutely horrible how some owners are so paranoid about their fences and that is why we are putting ours just a little bit inside the property line.
We don’t have room for any more. But if we plan to spray, or weedeat, we don’t want any arguments.

“Good fences make good neighbours”

We will do ours like the best fences are around here - boards on the outside for the front, curb-side of the property, and boards on the inside for the rest where we can see them. Few horses would break out of our fences, properly installed, and none of mine would.