As a horse owner, you’re an ardent believer in the value of good fencing to contain your horses and keep them safe from predators. Unfortunately, life events and financial constraints can sometimes prevent you from implementing the best fence for your needs.

Many barn owners choose to combine wood with wire to make a safe and attractive barn fence. For example, they might use a wire mesh panel such as the one shown here that has small openings so that horses can’t get their hooves caught in it. If using this type of fencing, it is important to make sure that the height is appropriate for your horses; a five-foot minimum should be observed for perimeter fences and four feet six inches for interior fences between paddocks.

Wired for Protection: Understanding the Benefits of Wire Fencing

Woven wire is a standard farm fence that’s ideal for keeping livestock in or out of a field, and it’s also great for separating horses. This type of fence is available in a variety of heights and opening sizes to accommodate different animals; goats, for example, tend to try to push through fencing and require smaller openings, while cattle can be contained with a broader mesh.

A barbed wire fence should never be used around horses as it can cause severe injury if a thin-skinned, fast-moving animal such as a horse runs into or through it. Instead, consider a strand of electric wire or a stronger deterrent such as barbed or high-tensile wire at the top of the fence.