How to cover H brace wires

[Texarkana]

These are what I’m talking about:

No, the sky isn’t royal blue… it was early in the morning before the sun was up when I took this, and my phone did odd things with the color.

Right now, about half the H brace wires on my farm are covered with PVC pipe like in the picture and half are naked, exposed wire. Now that I’m using all my fields, I need to get the naked ones covered.

I’m just wondering if there is a better alternative. The PVC doesn’t provide full coverage. It’s hard to get on and off the wire. Plus you have the shatter factor as it ages.

There was a recent post on this in a FB group I follow but the only suggestions I saw were pool noodles (no- my horses chew them) and no climb wire over the H brace. I thought the wire was a good idea until I priced it at my local farm store and it was significantly more expensive than PVC.

Any other ideas?

[Djones]

why are you covering them? In time, you just stop seeing them. Anything I can think of to cover them just houses paper wasps and other such painful annoyances.

[PaddockWood]

That is much more attractive than my duct tape…board wrapped…half #ss look I did. You’ve got me thinking…I could improve this.

When I first saw the base on these on my new fence all I could see was a degloving event.

[Texarkana]

@Djones

why are you covering them? In time, you just stop seeing them. Anything I can think of to cover them just houses paper wasps and other such painful annoyances.

Because I have tended a few too many accidents from these types of exposed wire in my life and I’d rather not add any more incidents to the list!

For the life of me, I don’t understand why the fence installers didn’t run them on the outside of the fencelines instead of the inside.

[Djones]

So maybe slap two fence boards up to prevent them from getting into it? Or four boards, depending on your appetite for it?

[wsmoak]

The brace wire appears to be properly done on the ‘outside’ of the fence based on how the horizontal wires are attached on the other side of the second post, so I assume this is a shared fenceline.

I don’t think the PVC is enough to stop a horse getting a foot stuck in the V at the bottom. And I have seen that injury, it’s not pretty. (I don’t even like those open loops for the horizontal wires.)

I would cover that section with 2x4 non-climb wire pulled snug and attached with fence staples, then the edges covered by a vertical board with a few screws in it.

[Texarkana]

@wsmoak

The brace wire appears to be properly done on the ‘outside’ of the fence based on how the horizontal wires are attached on the other side of the second post, so I assume this is a shared fenceline.

I don’t think the PVC is enough to stop a horse getting a foot stuck in the V at the bottom. And I have seen that injury, it’s not pretty. (I don’t even like those open loops for the horizontal wires.)

I would cover that section with 2x4 non-climb wire pulled snug and attached with fence staples, then the edges covered by a board with a few screws in it.

This one is on a shared fence line. The majority of the brace wires are inside the pastures as the fence was installed with the coated wire attached to the outside of the posts. We bought the property like this.

What you are saying is exactly what I don’t like: when I say the PVC doesn’t offer full coverage, it leaves the bottom and top attachments exposed. The bottom being what I would consider the most dangerous part.

I need to see if I can find a more affordable source of no climb fencing because it would cost me a ton to cover just the exposed braces with what was available locally. And that doesn’t even factor in the ones with PVC already.

[yaya]

I covered all mine with four boards (but that was way before the cost of lumber skyrocketed.) I did it because I watched my horse, as I was coming out to get him, stick his foot on the wire and slice his heel bulb. Geez, he couldn’t wait two more minutes??!

[clanter]

maybe look for “guy wire protectors” or “guide wire”… they are designed to be easily replaced but are of long durability (high UV resistance) … various colors are usually available

here is one type

https://www.techtoolsupply.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=MSI-J1493Y&source=googleps&gclid=CjwKCAjw0a-SBhBkEiwApljU0iCQbTDPWlaxNqa50kpQM_CAmq0Su1kPYgJXVoyEMWrqGrSIjq3qCBoCUr0QAvD_BwE

[Texarkana]

@clanter

maybe look for “guy wire protectors” or “guide wire”… they are designed to be easily replaced but are of long durability (high UV resistance) … various colors are usually available

here is one type

https://www.techtoolsupply.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=MSI-J1493Y&source=googleps&gclid=CjwKCAjw0a-SBhBkEiwApljU0iCQbTDPWlaxNqa50kpQM_CAmq0Su1kPYgJXVoyEMWrqGrSIjq3qCBoCUr0QAvD_BwE

I forgot about those. They would be a good option in lieu of pipe because they are a lot easier to work with and similarly priced, maybe a bit cheaper. Thanks!

[lenapesadie]

This guide wire is in my paddock. The cover still leaves the bottom attachment exposed.

When I snapped these pics a minute ago, it occurred to me something like foam pipe insulation might be helpful for covering the attachment points. Here, foam pipe insulation is sold in sticks that are cut lengthwise (like the guide wire covers). It would be an easy material to work with and you could tape it over the attachment points to make sure it stayed in place.

Because of how mine is situated I just made a bump out in the fence. I just have this one; not a farm full like you do. I’m just posting my bump out fence pic before people think I’m letting my horses get too close to the guide wire.

[NancyM]

I only have this issue in a couple of places. I used left over woven wire from the fencing project to cover the entire brace wire on the open side. Even if you have to buy more of the woven wire to do this, it’s worth the cost IMO. Yup, I had one who purposely stuck a foot in there (when a friend got to the paddocks before I did and fed the horses in the wrong order). It was ugly at the time, but healed up fine. Best to avoid this issue in advance.

[lenapesadie]

Very sad. When I was younger we had a child in the community killed riding a 4 wheeler through an unmarked guide wire. I certainly don’t object to the wire cover!

It’s for “my” pole. Set by the energy co op for a second service on my property for previous owners. One day I may have a second service hooked to my barn and would ask for the pole to be moved so it’s outside of the horse fence.

[clanter]

@lenapesadie

It’s for “my” pole. Set by the energy co op for a second service on my property for previous owners

check your land survey there will be an electrical right of way easement that allows for the power line… it is the responsibility of the electrical provider to get the wire to the meter, after the meter it is your responsibility

[Texarkana]

@NancyM

I only have this issue in a couple of places. I used left over woven wire from the fencing project to cover the entire brace wire on the open side. Even if you have to buy more of the woven wire to do this, it’s worth the cost IMO. Yup, I had one who purposely stuck a foot in there (when a friend got to the paddocks before I did and fed the horses in the wrong order). It was ugly at the time, but healed up fine. Best to avoid this issue in advance.

You all are doing a good job convincing me to buy 2 or 3 spools of wire to cover these despite the fact it will probably cost $1000.

Why are there so many?!? Every corner has 2. Every gate has 2. Every non-traditional bend has 1 or 2. Counting in my head I think I have 32 H braces around the property with wires? Maybe more. That’s over 300’ of woven wire. It was around $300 for I think 150’ at my local store. I’ll have to shop around.

[awaywego]

Check craigslist & FB marketplace for wire - since you don’t need a continuous roll you may be able to buy leftover pieces from someone else’s fence project for cheap. Of course, then you have the headache of driving around to pick up a hundred feet here and there…

[candyappy]

@Texarkana

For the life of me, I don’t understand why the fence installers didn’t run them on the outside of the fencelines instead of the inside.

Because they are put there to strengthen the cross posts would be my guess and need to be in line?

I would just use the PVC pipe or some other plastic pipe if you feel they need covering.

[NancyM]

I only did mine at the gates… where the stupid horse stands, and crammed his foot in there wanting his breakfast. The other corners of the paddocks don’t have the same allure. I needed 40 feet of fencing, 4 X 10’ panels. Try asking a fencing company if they have a part roll left over… or a “second hand” junk store. Try a facebook post in your area, posting a “wanted” advert for a leftover part of a roll.

[Arlomine]

I bit the bullet and put no vl8mb over every brace. Glad I did.