Paddock sizes?

[TheJenners]

@endlessclimb

No climb is easy but time consuming.

For you, you doing handywoman freak of nature

For the original question: I have a sacrifice paddock that is 60x220 (1/3 acre) for nighttime turn out off the stalls and then fulltime winter use to keep the horses up off my bigger grass paddocks. It generally has two mini donkeys and three regular-sized horses. They can canter around and get up to shenanigans in it, but it’s definitely grazed way way down, which is intentional for donkey safety.

My grass paddocks are all an acre each, approx 120x370. Any more than two on it for more than a month is pretty detrimental to the grass, so I rotate between three with some maintenance in between to keep them going as long as possible. Two of my three grass paddocks and the sacrifice paddock are non climb on wood posts with black lightning on top. My third grass paddock is four strands of black lightning on wood posts. My property is what I would call very gently rolling. Unlike superwoman up there, I had someone else do the non-climb but we did the black lightning very easily.

[streamline]

Thank everyone. Still thinking we will probably do 4 rail pipe pens for paddocks. Was thinking 4 40x60 paddocks? Might make another smaller one and maybe another bigger one. Also eventually going to add an outside arena (size has also been a discussion)

I sometimes do put orange flagging up, between the high winds/snow etc usually I have to do it a few times a year. I’ll have to see how well the electric tape works. Currently have 3 horses that need to live on dirt anyways. I also only have one that escapes. He ripped down a t post and barbwire a few weeks ago. The barbwire was maybe a foot off the ground and the other 5 horses didn’t even bother stepping over it. He also ripped out a wooden post that was for a gate, attempted to jump over a cattle panel (he did, but bent most of it) he’s just the problem.

On the backside between us and the neighbors we are thinking high tinsel/high gauge 4 strand wire with fence stays and probably a strand of Hotwire on the top

[OTTBs]

@Demerara_Stables

As far as fencing is concerned, I’d bet the cheapest/lowest maintenance option is no climb with a wood rail on top (a la Kentucky breeding farms) on wooden posts.

Coated high tensile wire (5 or 6 strands) would be much cheaper and low maintenance. Electric cheaper, but more maintenance and not ideal for smaller spaces.

@B_and_B

I love the step in cross fencing though. I can shift the electric by a few feet over a thousand foot run, that lets me mow the fence line or adjust for the fact that horses always like to walk along a fence line. By shifting it, I keep that from becoming an actual beaten trail.

I think I’m going to use this brilliant idea.

[B_and_B]

The only thing to watch out for with the step ins is that it is a low fence line. I don’t think I would use it if I had horses on both sides of the fence at the same time. Since mine are out in the big fields together (where I use it), I don’t have that concern.
But, yes, it is wonderful to be able to move the fence line at least once or twice a season. I usually have enough extra in the rope or tape that I can just unhook one end and walk along it shifting it as I go. Literally just pulling it out and stepping it over about a yard or so.

[Jarpur]

Our cross fencing is a similar set-up, with step-in posts (other than corners and ends) and Horse Guard tape. Very easy to modify at any time. For example, when we’ve gotten deliveries of sand to refresh our arena, or gravel to refresh the sacrifice paddock, or when the co-op replaced an electric pole.

We also haven’t ever put horses on opposite sides of the fence at the same time.

[BellaLuna]

Lots of good ideas ^

In additional to my turnout pastures which are about 5 acres each, I also fenced a small paddock, 64x64. I use this area for layups, separating, introductions, etc. I do have and keep nice grass in there and it’s been one of the best things that I did. I haven’t had a horse yet that has complained about being in there.

[Cowboy_Girl]

The fact that you are in Montana means you have to take elk into consideration. Unlike deer they can tend to plow through a fence vs hop over it. A hybrid fence might work best.