What to Look for in Equine Fence Paint

Equine fencing is important to get right. Without the right fence, your livestock’s health and safety are at risk. This doesn’t just involve the materials used to build the fence; it comes down to the paint you choose too!

Does it really matter how you choose to paint your horse rail fencing? It absolutely does, and we’re here to explain why. Read on to find out more about choosing the right paint for your horse fencing.

Fencing Colours

One of the key elements of horse fencing is visibility. This is why many fences include sighter wire, to help your horses see and avoid your fencing, preventing collisions that can lead to damage or injury.

When it comes to fencing colours, this is often the first thing that horse owners consider, but what colours can horses see the most? As it turns out, horses can see most of the core, natural colours of fencing just fine, and it largely comes down to the context they’re in. Black fences are extra visible against snow. White fences tend to stand out more against natural backdrops. Areas which see heavy snow but only for part of the year might opt for speckled paint, which combines the benefits of white and black. And lastly, brown is an option that some consider too, partly because dirt and mud won’t be as visible on it. Most equestrians go for white or black paint, as both of these provide a classic, stylish look.

Cribbing

The next thing to take into account is cribbing. Also known as equine oral stereotypic behaviour, cribbing involves a horse using its teeth to grip an object—usually your fence—and the sucking in air with a burping noise. It’s commonly thought to be a result of stress, and roughly between 2% and 8% of horses do it, depending on breed and environment.

As you might expect, this can damage fencing quickly, and it’s also not always good for the horse, although it’s thought that the stress which causes cribbing as more impact on the horse’s health than the cribbing itself. In any case, many brands of equine fence paint include anti-cribbing ingredients, which can deter cribbing and related behaviour, like lignophagia (aka wood-chewing).

Durability

When it comes to fence paint, you’ll also need to consider durability. Here in Australia, the elements can be harsh. Fence paint needs to be able to weather storms, cold winters, hot summers, mould, fungus, and more. Paint that’s designed to last is well worth it—it saves you on repainting and maintenance in the long run. Protecting your fencing with the right paint is the best possible way to get the maximum possible lifespan out of it.

Stock and Noble Master Blend is the answer

Stock and Noble’s Master Blend fence paint series takes all of the above factors into account. All our premium paints are infused with Never Crib, our anti-cribbing solution, to keep your fence posts free from gnawing marks. They also contain our Anti-Mould Defense and Hot Weather Resistance solutions, which both help your fencing stand the test of time, and stay looking vibrant for longer, making the Master Blend paint range a triple-threat against the Australian conditions.

Our paints are rich in colour and are easy to apply with brush, sprayer, or anything else you have on hand. Finally, we mix our paints without creosote, bitumen, or oil, making them better for you, your horses, and the planet. First impressions matter, so make them last with Stock and Noble’s Master Blend Paint!