The 5 biggest mistakes to avoid while choosing a new horse fence.

Horse fencing is a crucial aspect of horse care, providing a safe and secure environment for your horse to live and graze. It’s also a key visual element for your dream equine property. However, many horse owners make common mistakes when it comes to fencing, which can lead to serious consequences for the horse, the fence and the property itself. 

At Stock & Noble, we provide the finest horse fencing solutions to high-end property owners across Australia and New Zealand. Based on insights gained from our successful horse fencing projects, learnings from the challenges faced by property owners while building their forever properties and in-depth knowledge of every aspect of horse fencing, we will discuss the most common horse fencing mistakes and how to avoid them. 

At the end of your 5-minute read, you will be well informed to avoid the problems and save your time, effort and thousands. Most importantly you will be well-equipped to tackle your fencing project confidently, without any stress and enjoy the process of building your beautiful equine property. Exactly the way it should be. 

Horse fencing mistake #1: Choosing your horse fence without thorough research 

Research is crucial in horse fence planning as it helps ensure the safety and well-being of the horses. Horse fencing needs to be strong, durable, and appropriate for the horse’s size and activity level. It should also be aligned with your vision. Researching different options and materials before deciding on your horse fencing project can help you make informed choices and avoid costly mistakes. 

Installing a fence can be a costly endeavour, so it’s important to thoroughly research your options before making a decision. Different types of fences have their strengths and weaknesses, depending on your needs and budget. Consider what purpose the fence will serve – whether it’s for a main entrance, containing animals, or for an equestrian property with arenas and paddocks. Knowing the intended use of your fence and conducting research will help you find the best option for your property. 

Electricity

Not all fences are electrified, like our Border Line™ and Legacy Rail, so if this is a requirement for you, consider options like Hotcote, Horserail or EquiRope. 

Gradient and angle

If your property has a gentle slope, most fencing options should work, but our Premium Steel Post and Rail Fencing System has a maximum angle of 22 degrees. 

Warranty

This is an important factor to consider when comparing prices of fencing options. A cheaper quote with a short warranty may not be the best choice in the long run. 

Environmental factors

Coastal environments can be harsh on fencing, so research if the product you’re considering will hold up in such conditions. Other factors to consider include flooding or rock foundations that may affect the installation of your posts. Check with your fencing supplier if they have experience installing your chosen fence in a similar environment. 

Comparing options

When choosing a horse fencing solution, many buyers focus on price. Keep in mind that not all suppliers are equal. Carefully review quotes to ensure you’re comparing apples to apples and understand what is and what isn’t included in the quote, such as fittings, delivery, and posts. 

You can take a simple quiz with 11 questions to bring clarity to your horse fencing research and know which product best suits your needs. 

Horse fencing mistake #2: Insufficient planning while choosing your horse fence 

Planning is crucial to avoiding costly mistakes when choosing the right type of fencing. By planning, you can ensure that your fence is available, fits your needs and timeline, and is installed correctly. Here are some important things to consider when planning for a new fence: 

Availability

Check if the product you want is in stock or if there is a lead time for production. This will help you determine if you need to find an alternative or if you need to adjust your timeline. 

If you want you can dig deeper into how to plan better and avoid 6-12 months of delay in receiving your desired horse fencing solution. 

Fittings

Make sure the fittings for your chosen fence are available to avoid delays. 

Deposits

Consider paying a deposit to secure your fencing and avoid price increases. This can also help ensure that the installation process runs smoothly. 

Installation

Determine if you need to hire a fencing contractor or if you will be installing the fence yourself. If you plan to install it yourself, make sure you have the right equipment and instructions. If you plan to use a contractor, book them in advance to avoid any delays and make sure they are familiar with your chosen fence. 

Boundary lines

Verify your property boundary lines to avoid any disputes with your neighbours. Consider hiring a surveyor if you’re not sure where your property ends and your neighbour’s property begins. This will help you avoid any headaches or legal issues in the future. 

If you’re feeling overwhelmed with all the research and planning, an eBook could clarify most of your doubts, answer your questions and help you make an informed start. 

Horse fencing mistake #3: Choosing the cheapest horse fencing solution vs. long-term cost-effectiveness 

When choosing a fence, the material used is a crucial aspect to consider. The type of fencing material you choose will impact the longevity of the fence and its overall appearance concerning your property. 

Moreover, safety should always be a top priority and should not be compromised, even if it means increasing your budget. Investing in a safer horse fencing option can save you from costly vet bills in the future. Do you know which is the safest fence for horses? 

One example of a fencing product is our paint range. Classic Black costs $140.80 and can last up to 2 years, whereas Forever Black costs $251.90 and can last up to 6 years. When considering the cost, it’s important to remember that the cheapest option may not always be the most cost-effective in the long run. 

Consider the amount of maintenance required for the fence you choose and factor that into your budget. In this case, Forever Black costs $41.98 per year compared to $70.40 per year for Classic Black. 

Our fencing experts would be able to guide further you in terms of how much maintenance would your choice of fencing solution requires. 

Horse Fencing mistake #4: Choosing the wrong fittings to save the cost of horse fencing installation 

Choosing the right fittings for your fencing system is crucial to ensure the longevity and safety of your fence. Using cheaper fittings may seem like a cost-saving measure in the short run, but in the long run, it could cause problems and lead to a decrease in the overall quality and effectiveness of your fence. 

For instance, the EquiRope™ fencing system uses gold-plated connectors to prevent the reaction of copper wire and other metals from your electric source with each other. If you use another product, not only will your warranty be voided, but the product’s lifespan will also be reduced. This principle applies to most other fencing products as well. Using the wrong fittings could result in a fence that is loose in the fittings, wire that doesn’t tension correctly, or posts that lean over because they are not the right size. 

Horse Fencing Mistake #5: Leaving the gates out of your planning process 

One common oversight in fencing projects is the selection of gates. Despite careful planning and research put into choosing the right fence, gates are often overlooked. 

This can significantly impact the fencing project’s overall success, the appearance of your property, and the safety of your animals. Gates are a moving part and if put in the wrong place or an incorrect gate that is not suited for the job is installed this can ruin the whole functionality of the property 

It’s important to give equal consideration to both fences and gates. 

To ensure a successful fencing project, it will be worthwhile to know how to choose the right fence gates. 

Are you well-prepared to avoid the biggest mistakes in choosing your horse fencing solution? 

You want to create a beautiful equine property and are looking at how to make the right start and avoid wasting time, effort and money. Now you know some of the most common mistakes made by property owners and also learnt the best ways to avoid them. 

In conclusion, the more time and effort you invest at the beginning of your horse fencing project, the better results you are bound to get. So overall do your research, and planning, and don’t think of short-term gains but long-term benefits. 

As you visualise your new horse property or plan to give your old one a makeover, learning about the trending design ideas in the horse fencing world can help steer you in the right direction. 

If you wish to discuss your next horse fencing project in detail or need any guidance in choosing the fencing solution that matches the needs of your animals and your vision, we are there. Feel free to connect with our fencing experts. You will receive a personalised consultation to share all your fencing plans, ideas and requirements. Free of cost, free of any obligation to purchase and free of unwanted follow-ups.