Stock & Noble
6 Biggest Problems with Horserail (and the solutions)
- BY Tripti Kakkar
If you’re looking to buy Horserail, you might have already researched online and learnt about this “almost” flawless flexible plastic rail. Over the last 25 years, Horserail has proven to be one of the best fencing solutions. It looks great, lasts long, is horse safe and needs almost zero maintenance.
At Stock & Noble, Horserail is one of our most loved products and thanks to years of experience in selling the original Horserail, we’ve learnt all about its pros and cons. In our opinion, the pros far outweigh the cons, but it’s our responsibility to give you a full disclosure and true depiction of every fencing product.
In the introduction, we used the word “almost flawless” because the reality is that no fence is perfect. So, while Horserail is the best in its class, there are still certain factors you should be aware of.
The objective of this article is to discuss the 6 biggest problems associated with buying, using and installing Horserail. However, we haven’t stopped at problems, but have also provided solutions for each one of them.
By the end of this article, you will be prepared to deal with things that could go wrong with this near-perfect fencing solution.
The 6 most common problems with Horserail and solutions:
- Problem: Sloppy rails if not tensioned well.
Solution: Install it well and revisit after 6 weeks
- Problem: Malfunctioning of electric fence.
Solution: Do a regular check and power-supply maintenance
- Problem: Attracts spiders and dust.
Solution: Clean regularly
- Problem: Replacement is expensive.
Solution: Order extra Horesrail during the initial purchase.
- Problem: Cannot attach mesh on Horesrail.
Solution: Use accordion wire to attach the mesh.
- Problem: Timber posts need high maintenance.
Solution: Use plastic posts.
Problem 1: Rails become sloppy if not tensioned well
Unlike Timber or Steel Post and Rail fencing, where the rails are designed to be straight, the Horserail needs to be tensioned well to look straight. During installation, you’ve to make sure the rails are tight.
After you first install it, the Horserail could lose its tension as it acclimatises to the weather conditions. However, once it’s fixed and tightened it typically doesn’t need any tensioning for years. Unless a horse or a tree land on it and leads to the stretching or loosening of the rail.
What’s the solution?
Make sure when you first install it you use an experienced fencing contractor and focus on tensioning the rails well. If you choose to do it yourself, remember to use the correct tools, follow the instructions and watch the installation videos.
After six weeks ask your fencing contractor to revisit and check the tension of the rails. Or check it yourself and fix the loose rails.
Problem 2: Malfunctioning of Electric fence
This problem is only relevant to the horse property owners who have chosen to electrify their fences using Horserail® Hottop – Rail with electric top or Horserail® Hottop plus – Rail with electric top and bottom.
If the grass grows too tall along the fence line or cobwebs build around insulators and supply lines, the effectiveness of the electric fence is compromised. The electric system shorts out making the fence ineffective. If the electricity doesn’t run through the fence and the horse senses this, it will waste no time escaping.
What’s the solution?
For a smooth-running electric fence, you need to keep it well maintained and fix small problems before they turn big. Cut the grass regularly to make sure it stays low under the fence line. Keep the insulator and supply line clean of spiders and cobwebs.
Keep an eye out for any damage or breakage caused by animals to the electric wire or fence.
Problem 3: Horserail attracts Spiders and dust
In defence of Horserail, most of the rural properties where Horserail is widely and successfully used are homes to spiders and dust. So, it’s natural for anything to be affected by their presence. However, it’s also true that dust and spiders are distinctly visible on the surface of Horserail, making the fence look dirty.
The reason is that Horserail is made of flexible plastic, which makes a natural component like dust stand out, as opposed to timber where dust is absorbed or looks naturally part of the fence.
What’s the solution?
Regular washing or cleaning of the fence is the simplest way to get rid of dust and spiders. You can easily make Horserail look good as new, by hosing it off with clean water. Probably once a year is a good idea. If spiders and cobwebs persist you might look at purchasing some insecticide
Problem 4: Horserail is expensive to replace
If a tree falls or storm debris falls on a Horserail, 90% of the times the fence will just spring back up once the objects are removed. However, in some cases you might notice that the sharp debris or heavy tree has damaged the rail and it needs to be replaced.
On such rare occasions, replacing Horserail could be an expensive option. Since you can order Horserail only in a minimum quantity of 100-metre roll.
What’s the solution?
While ordering Horserail for your initial installation, add an extra 50 metres to your order. You can keep it for occasions like these where you need to replace only a part of the Flexible rail.
Problem 5: Mesh cannot be attached to Horserail
When you need to put mesh on your horse fence, in the case of Timber post and rail, you will simply nail the mesh to the top and bottom rails. However, when it comes to Horserail, there’s no option to fasten the nails anywhere on the rails.
What’s the solution?
To use a mesh with Horserail, a carry wire needs to be attached along the top and bottom of the fence. The mesh is then attached to this wire. The good news is that carry wire supports the mesh better, preventing it from sagging and making it look straight and tight.
Problem 6: Timber Posts need high maintenance
Horserail can be either attached to Timber, Steel or Plastic posts. If you choose Timber posts, they ideally need to be dried, treated, painted and then regularly checked for termites and rotting.
Timber posts also do not tend to last as long as Horserail does. They are challenging to maintain and once their life is over, you need to invest additional time and money for replacing and re- installing the new posts.
What’s the solution?
Plastic Posts are the ideal companions of Horserail. They are black in colour to match perfectly with your Horserail. In our experience they look better than Timber.
Plastic Posts do not ask for much maintenance and typically last as long as your Horserail.
Are you well-prepared to manage Horserail?
In this article, you learnt about the 6 biggest problems with Horserail, and their solutions. These problems are largely related to maintaining your Horserail well and keeping it looking great.
Now that you know how to look out for these issues, you can ensure your Horserail is properly tensioned, the electrification runs smoothly, and the fence looks great. Most importantly, Horserail will be able to meet the high expectations, you always had with this flexible plastic rail.
Horserail has been used and loved by horse property owners over the years. In fact, Horserail has now become generic and synonymous to the entire product category of flexible plastic rails.
However, horse property owners often get confused between original Horserail and other products offered under similar names. If you too are looking to buy Horserail, it’s important to avoid the mistake of picking the wrong Horserail. Learn about how to buy the original Horserail in Australia.
If you have any more questions on how to plan, choose and install your Horserail reach out to our fencing expert. We would do our best to help and guide you with our years of experience and knowledge in everything related to Horserail. You can also explore our wide range of fencing solutions and discuss the best fencing solution for your property.
