Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
MISCELLANEOUS FENCING
Some fences that appear on horse farms aren't designed specifically to contain horses. They
are included here for the sake of completeness.
Stone Walls
Stone walls make very attractive fences reminiscent of the British countryside. They are
virtually indestructible and also offer a windbreak. They can be used over rocky terrain
where posts are difficult to set. The cost of labor to construct them, however, is incredibly
high, and unless you have access to stones or rocks on your property, the materials and
hauling costs can be prohibitive.
Hedges
Hedgerows make an attractive, natural fence, but in order to be effective they must be about
10 to 15 feet wide and 8 to 10 feet high; otherwise, horses jump or push through them.
Hedges take up a lot of pasture space, so are suitable only for very large fields. They re-
quire good soil, climate, and moisture and take 3 years or more to reach fence size. They
may also require periodic watering, pruning, and fertilizing. Horses do eat bushes, so yew
should be avoided because of its toxicity.
Snow Fence
To keep a road or other passageway free from snow, place a snow fence 140 feet from the
area you want to protect and perpendicular to the prevailing winter wind. Extend the fence
60 feet on both ends of the protected area. A traditional snow fence of red wooden pick-
ets is half the price of plastic snow fencing and just as effective. Attach the snow fence to
6-foot T-posts spaced 8 feet apart, or to 5-inch by 8-foot wood posts spaced 12 feet. Leave
a 6-inch gap between the fence and the ground.
Comparative cost of fencing
This cost comparison relates to initial cost of materials only; installation and labor
costs will vary by location. No maintenance costs are considered in this comparison.
MOST ECONOMICAL
