We plan to make small In-Out paddocks (each 12 ft by 14 ft) outside each of the Dutch Doors. Most I have seen, do not have a gate and access to/from the area is only via the Dutch Door. Though a gate may, at times, be handy, I’m thinking that it may be a potential weak point … so (at this time) I am not planning to incorporate any gates. Good idea or bad idea ? Thanks. Bob.
Without a gate access, everything will have to be moved by hand. Think about sand, manure, water tank, Snow ! etc. I would recommend some sort of access by what ever size equipment you have. It does not have to be a gate. Even a removable fence panel is better than nothing. A tractor & FEL saves more than your body.
1 Like
That.^
A 12’ gate is not expensive, but does require a sizeable post to hang it from.
You could use panels and take the end one off if you need in there.
all of our interconnecting paddocks have gates between them… it sure makes sorting stock a breeze
1 Like
Mine have gates – to the outside and in between the paddocks. We use the gates for access with equipment or to move horses, but I also want those gates as emergency exit points if needed, like in a barn fire.
2 Likes
OP, you sound like my husband when we built this property and cross-fenced. It’s amazing how he uses all those gates I insisted upon, that he thought we would never need.
never under-gate yourself. Worst case scenario you can always put a 5/8" chain and lock on the ones you can’t see.
i have one paddock attached to the barn. It leads into the main pasture and is 24’ x 100. It has a 16’ gate on the side going into the pasture and a 12’ gate at the end. Both gates get used all the time; the end gate is very handy when mowing…
Put the gates in – they will save time and swearing:)
I agree with everyone else. More gates is a good thing, not a bad thing.
I have private paddocks off my stalls. All the private paddocks have gates into other areas. This allows for easy turn out along with (like everyone else said) easy cleaning and maintenance.
Think about it, how do you plan to clean the manure in these areas? Drag your wheel barrow or much bucket thru the stalls?
I’d just do 4’ gates on the end of each run/paddock so that they’re all accessible from outside of the pen. Connecting each pen would be nice too, but not really necessary.
Same here. Gates at the end of each paddock open to the pasture, and the gate between paddocks allows me to turn out or bring in horses without needing to lead them. I have 6’ gates which allows a skid loader and my tractor to fit through.
We had 12 x 12 runs (really “porches”) off some stalls in MN, without gates. But they were constructed out of panels that could be popped off and moved. Given the wear such small runs will take, having NO tractor access would be a mistake–you’re going to want to get in there and refresh the footing every now and then. If your runs can be deconstructed relatively easily, then you can probably skip the gate. But if you’re building a post and rail fence, definitely add a gate that you can get a tractor through. I’d go with a gate at the end that’s the width of the run, personally. If you’re never going to use it for horses then you can block it up so as not to sag, or give it a little leg that can flip up when you need to open.
The nice thing about These Latches is the gate is supported on both ends and it allows you to swing the gate both ways.
If it would be a weak point, that would mean they are going to be leaning on the gates. In that case, they’d probably be leaning on the enclosure in any location. You could just run a strand of electric around the inside in that case. I think you would regret not putting an outside access gate on the paddocks.
when my wife got those latches my first thought was there goes more money but they sure are handy, allowing both directions of travel with ease … gate can not be opened even by our Morgans who make Harry Houdini look like an amateur
GATES!!! there are plenty of ways to secure them OR just put a section of “sliding boards” that can be lifted out of brackets and run electric wire or even chain that can be unclipped(can run it through a hose or pvc pipe to improve safety/appearance) if you want. That kind of access through the fence is a GOD SEND and quite frankly the only reason I can come up with why EVERY in & out paddock does not have it is welll…common sense aint that common. Another thought is having “side to side” access IE through each paddock into the next. The paddocks at the barn I am at have access “through” each paddock as well as at the “end” of each one via “sliding boards” and electric fence in a year I have seen it be nothing other than positive making daily cleaning so much faster and maintenance possible.
Absolutely right.
G.
