Fencing on a budget

[Dakota Sunrise]

Well the first load of lumber for the barn arrived today!:clap: If the rain lets up tomorrow my dad is going to get started!:D

I'm going to have to make a new fence to hook to the run-in at the new barn, which will then go up to attach to the horse pasture I have now. I want to get the t-posts bought and put in before the ground freezes. So by mid November for sure.
I'm not sure what kind of fence to use though. Originally I was going to use woven wire which is what I have now for all my pastures. But it really expensive (although the section I'm fencing in isn't that huge), and what's even worse then that is that it's really really hard to put up. You literally have to get it tight with a pulley come-a-long thing or hook it to a truck or tractor to pull it tight. And the big roll of wire is so heavy my dad says I won't even be able to move it. And since my mom and I are the ones putting this fence up (if I can get her to help, if not it's all me. But I think she'll help) it doesn't seem doable.:(
I cannot afford split rail fencing of course. And I HATE electric fence. Which leaves... well, basically nothing, right?

So, what's the best kind of fencing for horses that doesn't cost a fortune and can be put up without a crew of big strong guys? I know everyone is going to say electric.:doh: I so hate to go that route. I thought about just using t-posts and then electric fence wire or that tape stuff and just making it tight and not electrifying it. I know Dakota would never push through it, and as long as I made it high and tight enough so Beauty couldn't get her head all the way over it to touch the ground she'd be fine too. But I don't know.

So, any fencing insight for me? It would be appreciated.:)

[cheval]

If you don't want them going over it, through it, or breaking it by leaning on it, your best bet is electric. Once they figure out what it is, they will normally stay far away from it.

[WashingtonBay]

Don't try to fake electric. Once they learn it's not hot, you've got loose horses, and a big problem because you still have to fix the fence.

You and your mom could handle a roll of field fence. It's heavy, but you could do it. Handtruck, and roll it between sections. It gets lighter as you go. :)

Other mesh like horse mesh comes in a 100' roll instead of 330', easier to haul around, but it's much more expensive.

For price, do some searching on craigslist in case you get lucky... I see part rolls or used rolls of good horse fence in there from time to time.

[natisha]

Woven wire is your best bet in a high traffic area. Your Dad & brother could knock that out easily.

[Dakota Sunrise]

Woven wire is your best bet in a high traffic area. Your Dad & brother could knock that out easily.

Dad is not willing to help with the fence part. He's building the barn, I can't ask him to do more than that. I might be able to get my brother to help, if I took him to the movies or something as payment.:p
I can get the posts in myself if they're not too tall. I'm strong enough to pound them in, the hard part for me is getting the pounder up over my head and on top of the posts! But I do need help stringing the wire for sure.

Woven wire is freaking expensive though!:eek: I just checked on TSC and it's crazy! It is what I really want tho. I hate electric, and my horses aren't used to it.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/fencing/field-fencing/keep-safe-horse-fence-58-in-h-3610757

http://www.tractorsupply.com/fencing/field-fencing/horse-fence-60-in-x-100-ft--3610715
they have all different heights.. what do you think I need for the horses?

I did find a cheaper way to get t-posts though. Two ways actually. One is an ad on craigslist that says they have 50 posts for sale if you get them out of the ground. Which I so can, my mom and I have a talent for that.:p They also have gates and tack for sale.
And the other way is a local steel factory that makes t-posts. You can get them for like $2.00 a post (instead of the $4 something TSC charges) if they have scratched paint or some little defect.

[cheval]

The thing is you don't want to slack on fencing. That is what keeps your horse away from things like cars and getting into other sorts of trouble. It's well worth the expense.

[Dakota Sunrise]

The thing is you don't want to slack on fencing. That is what keeps your horse away from things like cars and getting into other sorts of trouble. It's well worth the expense.

Very true, and I don't plan to. Although the two times my horses did manage to get out they came up to the house and grazed in the yard as if they were trying to tell me they weren't were they were supposed to be.:p I found that comical.

Anyway, I was originally going to get woven wire despite the high price and still plan to if I think I can get it up.

My reason for not wanting to do electric isn't money, it's just that I hate electric fence with a passion and my horses aren't used to it

However, if I can save money on gates and t-posts by buying them used or even ripping them out of the ground I totally will do that. But I'll break down and buy the woven wire if I can get somebody to agree to help me get it up.

[cheval]

It doesn't take any time at all for a horse to understand what it is. They touch it once, they understand. You mentioned the expense so it sounded like it had something to do with that.

[Dakota Sunrise]

It doesn't take any time at all for a horse to understand what it is. They touch it once, they understand. You mentioned the expense so it sounded like it had something to do with that.

Well I can't spend a fortune.. so it is somewhat of a concern. But my budget has already been so wildly overdrawn that I'll just deal with it and tack another thing on, lol. Good thing I got raise at work and have been able to get more hours!:p

I'll pick something else to try to save money on and not the fencing.:) With a little luck I will be able to get the t-posts and gates cheaper so that will be a big help.

[JackieB]

Electric. Braided rope, to be specific. Your favorite kind of fencing. :)

[natisha]

Dad is not willing to help with the fence part. He's building the barn, I can't ask him to do more than that. I might be able to get my brother to help, if I took him to the movies or something as payment.:p
I can get the posts in myself if they're not too tall. I'm strong enough to pound them in, the hard part for me is getting the pounder up over my head and on top of the posts! But I do need help stringing the wire for sure.

Woven wire is freaking expensive though!:eek: I just checked on TSC and it's crazy! It is what I really want tho. I hate electric, and my horses aren't used to it.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/fencing/field-fencing/keep-safe-horse-fence-58-in-h-3610757

http://www.tractorsupply.com/fencing/field-fencing/horse-fence-60-in-x-100-ft--3610715
they have all different heights.. what do you think I need for the horses?

I did find a cheaper way to get t-posts though. Two ways actually. One is an ad on craigslist that says they have 50 posts for sale if you get them out of the ground. Which I so can, my mom and I have a talent for that.:p They also have gates and tack for sale.
And the other way is a local steel factory that makes t-posts. You can get them for like $2.00 a post (instead of the $4 something TSC charges) if they have scratched paint or some little defect.Can you stand on a truck tailgate to pound in the posts? Do you have a tractor with a bucket that can just push them in?
I swear, if I had 2 able bodied males around I would do no more than tell them what I wanted done. Oh, wait, I do & I don't. ;)
Do I have to teach you everything? :rolleyes:

DS-with saddest face possible. "Daddy, I've gone over this a hundred times in my head & I just can't see how Mom & I can do the fencing. I really appreciate all you're doing for me & I know you're busy but I really need your help. :( I have one chance to get this right & I'm just not strong enough. I wish I was :( Please Dad, I need your help? Together we can get it done 10 times faster & right too."

or

"Daddy, I'm going to go to town & find a big dumb guy with a tractor & a sledge hammer & become his Hoochie Mama" ;)

[Dakota Sunrise]

Can you stand on a truck tailgate to pound in the posts? Do you have a tractor with a bucket that can just push them in?
I swear, if I had 2 able bodied males around I would do no more than tell them what I wanted done. Oh, wait, I do & I don't. ;)
Do I have to teach you everything? :rolleyes:

DS-with saddest face possible. "Daddy, I've gone over this a hundred times in my head & I just can't see how Mom & I can do the fencing. I really appreciate all you're doing for me & I know you're busy but I really need your help. :( I have one chance to get this right & I'm just not strong enough. I wish I was :( Please Dad, I need your help? Together we can get it done 10 times faster & right too."

or

"Daddy, I'm going to go to town & find a big dumb guy with a tractor & a sledge hammer & become his Hoochie Mama" ;)

Standing on the tail gate- good idea! I could do that. The only tractor we have is about 150 years old and barely runs. So that's a no go.

And sweet talking my dad is most likely a no go too. I'm daddy's little girl and so much like him it's almost scary, but I've never in my whole life been able to convince him to do anything he doesn't want to do.

As for the Hoochie Mama idea, I don't think he'll fall for it unfortunately, lol. Who wants a short stocky hobbit with braces and acne who looks like she's only 14?:rolleyes: No boyfriend prospects for me.

But I can probably get my brother to help, for a small fee.:rolleyes: And my mom. And of course me. We can probably do it.

[natisha]

Standing on the tail gate- good idea! I could do that. The only tractor we have is about 150 years old and barely runs. So that's a no go.

And sweet talking my dad is most likely a no go too. I'm daddy's little girl and so much like him it's almost scary, but I've never in my whole life been able to convince him to do anything he doesn't want to do.

As for the Hoochie Mama idea, I don't think he'll fall for it unfortunately, lol. Who wants a short stocky hobbit with braces and acne who looks like she's only 14?:rolleyes: No boyfriend prospects for me.

But I can probably get my brother to help, for a small fee.:rolleyes: And my mom. And of course me. We can probably do it.Convince him he wants to.

Everyone wants an 18 year old who looks 14. Braces & skin problems are only temporary & somewhere there is a 5'6" guy looking for someone just like YOU!

[Tiz]

DS, slip the post pounder on the T post before you stand the post up.

Woven wire requires deep set(3 feet in the ground, or you'll have saggy, crappy looking fences in short order) corner posts and braces. I'd give serious thought to getting over the electric fence prejudice. It works, it's inexpensive, and it's easy to keep looking good. Horses learn how it works in no time.

[natisha]

DS, slip the post pounder on the T post before you stand the post up.

Woven wire requires deep set(3 feet in the ground, or you'll have saggy, crappy looking fences in short order) corner posts and braces. I'd give serious thought to getting over the electric fence prejudice. It works, it's inexpensive, and it's easy to keep looking good. Horses learn how it works in no time.Yes

[vicklynn]

Standing on the tail gate- good idea! I could do that. The only tractor we have is about 150 years old and barely runs. So that's a no go.

And sweet talking my dad is most likely a no go too. I'm daddy's little girl and so much like him it's almost scary, but I've never in my whole life been able to convince him to do anything he doesn't want to do.

As for the Hoochie Mama idea, I don't think he'll fall for it unfortunately, lol. Who wants a short stocky hobbit with braces and acne who looks like she's only 14?:rolleyes: No boyfriend prospects for me.

But I can probably get my brother to help, for a small fee.:rolleyes: And my mom. And of course me. We can probably do it.
You are NOT a hobbit, so stop it.
You are a very beautiful young lady.

I think the tail gate idea is wonderful!!
That and putting the driver over the t-post before you stand it up.

I also think hot wire along the top of the fencing is a good idea.
Thats what I have, woven wire with top line of hot rope.
Then my pasture divider is just hot rope.
Works great!

Good luck with the barn and the fence!

[HorseloverLee]

This would be perfect if you don't need many because I'm sure they aren't cheap. So I guess this post was useless sorry I was just trying to help. http://www.tractorsupply.com/fencing/feedlot-panels/horse-fence-panel-5-ft-x-16-ft--3610375

Also you really should listen to the other's advice about electric fence I have a friend that has 2 horse that he keeps behind one strand of electric fence. He uses several different pastures all fenced the same and only has 1 fence box sometimes he is too lazy to move the box when he moves the horses and those horses are smart they know when it's hot and not they have escaped several times when there is no shock but never when the fence is hot. Just my 2 cents worth.

[Dakota Sunrise]

You are NOT a hobbit, so stop it.
You are a very beautiful young lady.


Oh, it's ok.:) I don't mind being called a Hobbit. Have been for years, probably always will be. Yay shortness.:cool:

I think the tail gate idea is wonderful!!
That and putting the driver over the t-post before you stand it up.

I agree, I'm going to use that. Thanks for the suggestions, guys.:)

[lovesfortune]

I agree with JackieB - braided electric rope. I know you haven't had a bad experience with escaped horses, but many of us have. THey won't always go and graze in the front yard. When mine got out one year in the middle of winter they were about 1/2 mile down (past my neighbors house). Lucky for me - they stayed out of the road and just took a trip through the field. Our electric was shorting out somewhere and we didn't know it. :(

Now it's always on. It just takes one time for them to get out and figure out how they can...

[Tatesgram]

I love the braided electric rope. It's attractive, easy to install, easy to maintain AND easy to move if you have to. It only takes a horse touching it one time and they will stay clear. :eek:

[Dakota Sunrise]

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone.:) I was actually starting to consider electric but my mom doesn't want it down there. And I don't really blame her since the new horse pasture will attach to the goat fence and she'll have to go in my horse pasture to get to them.
However, my dad shocked me by volunteering (I didn't ask him) to help me build them a fence! Which will be great because anything he does he does well and he'll make a much sturdier pasture than I could because he's done it so many times before. And we work pretty well together. I helped him get two more poles in for the barn today and we made a good team. And I got three more t-posts out and the rest of that old fence taken down and rolled up. The posts still will not come out and it took me forever just to wrestle those ones, but every post I get out is one I don't have to buy.

[natisha]

Way to go Dad!!!!

[madelequestrian]

Sounds like you have it figured out, but I have to add that we really like the electric fencing. We use the white tape for high visibility and so if a horse did happen to get their leg hooked over it wouldn't cut into them. We train horses so have hundreds of horses going through the electric fence paddocks every year. In 3 years we have only had one horse that didn't do well in it (would stay tense and spooky when in his paddock. I think he just didn't quite make the connection, he wasn't the brightest tool in the shed :) ). I have had stallions next to each other, snooty mares, etc. in the electric tape. Best part is that we don't have to worry about fence related injury. If they get hung up by kicking it will break and that horse will be darn sure never to kick at the fence again. LOL.

[lovesfortune]

What about if you only do the top line electric so that the horses figure out it's hot, but then the other strands non electric so your mom can go in and out fairly easy?

[natisha]

What about if you only do the top line electric so that the horses figure out it's hot, but then the other strands non electric so your mom can go in and out fairly easy?She's right DS. I know that sometime in your horse's lives they lived with electric fence.
What about barbless twisted wire? I don't know what it's called but it looks like barbed wire without the barbs. It's inexpensive & easy to hang if you pull it tight enough. They could put their heads through though, unless you use electric too.

[WashingtonBay]

I honestly think mom could figure out how to go in and out an electric fence.... give her a regular gate, fercryinoutloud, we don't have to make her dodge the wires :D

It's my opinion that wire is only safe if it's hot. But if it is always hot, it can be very safe. The safest fence, after all, is the fence the horse doesn't want to touch (paw, rub on, lean on) at all. Wires, like the bottom wires, that are left 'not-hot' will be found out eventually, and horses will reach under to graze and the potential for harm increases.

[natisha]

I honestly think mom could figure out how to go in and out an electric fence.... give her a regular gate, fercryinoutloud, we don't have to make her dodge the wires :D

It's my opinion that wire is only safe if it's hot. But if it is always hot, it can be very safe. The safest fence, after all, is the fence the horse doesn't want to touch (paw, rub on, lean on) at all. Wires, like the bottom wires, that are left 'not-hot' will be found out eventually, and horses will reach under to graze and the potential for harm increases.You are so right. I have horse fence with electric on top all over except between the dry lots because that fence gets taken down every year for grading. That fence is hot except the bottom line because of the dogs (sheeps don't get zapped), the horses do reach under, they know.

[Dakota Sunrise]

I honestly think mom could figure out how to go in and out an electric fence.... give her a regular gate, fercryinoutloud, we don't have to make her dodge the wires :D

Nope, she says she wants nothing to do with electric. Can't say that I blame her, I'm not a big fan either. I can't count how many times I've gotten shocked. Plus it would suck not to be able to climb the fence anymore. Which isn't my reason for not using electric, but still.
This fence is going in a kind of inconvenient place for my mom as it is so I'm not pushing my luck. I'm lucky I even got her to agree to let me run the pasture through there at all, otherwise we'd have to move the whole barn. And considering there's already 6 poles in the ground and other side boards nailed on that would suck.:p It's coming along nicely.:)

[Dakota Sunrise]

My dad agreed to help me build the pasture, but he will not touch woven wire. So if I want his help woven wire is out.

So right now my choices are either high tensile with dad's help, which means I'll get a good, solid, well-built fence that will go up fairly quickly and not cost an arm an a leg. Pricey, but doable.

Or I can go with woven wire if I can get my mom and her friend who drives me bonkers to help, which will cost a ton more and be so much harder to put up. However, I know my horses do fine in woven wire. On the other hand I've seen a million horses around here kept in high-tensile so they should be fine in that too. It just needs to be tight.

I haven't decided what I'm going to do yet. Right now my goal is to get as many of those stupid t-posts out of the ground as I can so I don't have to buy a whole bunch of new ones. When I have completed that mission, I'll make a decision about the fencing and get to work on it. I'd like to have it done before it gets too cold and the ground freezes.

[WashingtonBay]

I think the most challenging part of this project is juggling all the phobias and uncompromising mandates involved. Between the three of you, I don't see how anything gets done ;)

We'll see what you all can come up with! Look forward to the pictures :)

[cheval]

I think the most challenging part of this project is juggling all the phobias and uncompromising mandates involved. Between the three of you, I don't see how anything gets done ;)



I agree. It seems like the obvious choice to go with whatever keeps the horses in and keeps them safe. Phobias can certainly be worked around and you can do all sorts of things to get through without having to touch them. Plus they make handy plastic handles that you won't get shocked when you remove it so you can go through a fence.

[Dakota Sunrise]

I think the most challenging part of this project is juggling all the phobias and uncompromising mandates involved. Between the three of you, I don't see how anything gets done ;)

I know, right?:p Crazyness. :crazy:

We'll see what you all can come up with! Look forward to the pictures :)

Thanks.:) I'm actually heading outside to pull more fence posts right now. I'll have more pics of the barn progress soon too.

[Tiz]

"I think the most challenging part of this project is juggling all the phobias and uncompromising mandates involved. Between the three of you, I don't see how anything gets done ;)"

No kidding.:eek: