I had adjacent 12’ runs separated by the heavy gauge 2 x 4 inch wire, but it was welded to oil field pipe. Zero problems.
Around here, runs with pipe panels (no mesh) are in frequent use and hold up very well. I would buy them from a local vendor and NOT from a national chain or brand, because if they are shipped, they will make them lighter weight.
I also do not like a loop on the bottom as shown in your picture.
I don’t like hotwire on small adjacent runs attached to barns - the quarters are too close. I am thinking of runs 12’ wide here - perhaps yours are larger.
Mine are these: http://martinranchsupply.com/content/5-5-rail-galvanized-panel and have held up well, 16 gauge 1 5/8" galvanized.
What Poltroon is showing is a panel with a true pipe with a gauge, which is what your oil field pipe is and what IMO you would want for a welding situation, otherwise consider plating with the plywood, either one takes some calculation and considerations for your weather.
What we are getting here and I don’t care for is more like a gigantic conduit, very light weight walls, good for a visual barrier but half a ton of horse hitting it and it deforms fast. Now, maybe for horse safety we want that, deformation vs broken bones but there has to be a happy medium in there somewhere.
These kinds of heavy pipe panels are the most typical fencing here in California, especially in large boarding barns. I’ve seen them hold up very well and with few injuries, even though the horses are often new to their housing and the density of horses is pretty high. I don’t like them to deform - I’d rather the horse bounced off them, as they do. The horses generally seem to slide out of them. Panels that deform create hazard.
Features I like are: no loops, square top corners, galvanized not paint, heavy duty, 5’ high, 5-rails. Buying the cheaper ones is IME false economy… the expensive ones last indefinitely and are always useful somewhere for something.
Here in the west there seem to be a lot of places that make them and sell them locally.
Thanks again for the input, and thank you for the visual, poltroon (and the observation about the bottom of the panel in my original post).
I’ve been looking into this myself, and Stablemaster here in Parker does a very nice welded pipe fence that I am considering. I haven’t gotten as far as pricing, but I sure do like the look and solidity. You aren’t too far from us, so it might be worth giving them a shout!
http://www.stablemasterproducts.com/fence.html
Thanks rhymeswithfizz!
