Horserail vs. Horse Mesh – Best fencing for a Foaling Yard. 

Choosing the right fencing for a foaling yard is crucial for the safety and well-being of your horses. It ensures containment, prevents escape and potential hazards, and reduces the risk of injury. 

If you’re looking for suitable fencing for your foals, you might already know how curious these little beings are. They love exploring their surroundings and the right fencing ensures their safety by preventing them from escaping the designated area and venturing into potentially hazardous situations such as nearby roads or dangerous terrain. 

The ideal fencing should be visible, durable, and easy to maintain. Both Horserail and horse mesh are popular options chosen by horse property owners for a foaling yard. In this article, we will compare these two on different factors like quality, safety, performance, installation, cost and cribbing. 

If you wish to create a safe environment for both the mare and foal, allowing them to thrive without the risk of accidents or injury, then keep reading. In the end, you will have all the information to make the best decision and choose the right fencing for your foals. 

Horserail vs. Horse Mesh: Product Comparison 

What is Horserail®?

Horserail® is a proven solution for horse fencing, offering a combination of flexibility, smoothness, and strength that ensures the safety of both horses and riders. Its unique qualities not only protect against injuries commonly caused by traditional railing but also provide an aesthetically pleasing and durable fence that requires minimal maintenance. 

The installation process for Horserail® is hassle-free, thanks to its patented procedure for attaching, joining, and tensioning. No stripping, crimping, or notching is necessary, resulting in a fence that is properly installed with no exposed wires. With Horserail®, horse owners can have peace of mind knowing that their foals and horses are protected by a high-quality and low-maintenance fencing solution. 

What is Horse Mesh? 

When it comes to horse fencing, Equine Mesh is a popular choice. This type of equestrian fence is constructed by weaving wire into specific spacing and securing intersections with knots. The design of the mesh plays a crucial role as it provides strength, stability, and security. 

It is essential to have small mesh openings that prevent horses from getting their hooves caught or attempting to climb or step on the fence, which could lead to structural failure. Furthermore, the close spacing acts as a deterrent against predators entering the pasture or yard. Wire mesh fencing is galvanized to withstand the elements and woven in patterns of rectangular or triangular shapes that are hoof-safe. 

Not only does it keep pets and small animals in or out, but it also offers excellent linear strength, flexibility, and easy maintenance, making it an ideal choice for horse owners and ensuring the safety of their precious foals. 

Horserail vs. Horse Mesh: Difference Based on Quality  

The original Horserail® is renowned for its exceptional quality. Crafted from a durable polymer material, it is specifically engineered to endure impacts while maintaining its integrity. Horserail® resists fading and cracking, ensuring a long-lasting and visually appealing fence. 

Due to the popularity of Horserail®, a lot of manufacturers call their flexible rails, Horserail®. It’s important to ensure you are buying the original Horserail®. We recommend looking for the Horserail ® trademark or checking and confirming with your fencing supplier. 

On the other hand, mesh fencing comes in various qualities. High-quality meshes, such as diamond mesh, are widely recognized by stable managers, breeders, veterinarians, and horse owners as the safest option for horses. These meshes feature a continuous weave pattern, eliminating cut wire ends that could potentially harm animals. 

Mesh fencing is typically constructed using robust materials like woven wire or PVC-coated galvanized wire, enhancing its strength and durability. 

When considering quality, Horserail stands out for its reputation of being a durable, impact-resistant, and fade-resistant option. Meanwhile, higher quality meshes like diamond mesh are known for their safety features, thanks to their continuous weave pattern and use of strong materials. 

Horserail® vs. Horse Mesh: Difference Based on Safety  

Horserail® prioritises safety with its smooth surface that eliminates sharp edges, reducing the risk of injury to both foals and adult horses. Its flexibility allows it to absorb impact, minimizing the chances of injuries during accidental collisions or movements. 

While Horserail® is celebrated as one of the safest horse fencing solutions in the world, Diamond mesh fencing is also widely regarded as a highly safe option for horses. It is crucial to ensure that this mesh has no openings large enough for a horse’s foot to go through, particularly when considering foals, ponies, or miniature horses. Additionally, the V-mesh weave protects hooves or legs from becoming caught in the fence, further enhancing safety. 

To enhance visibility, experts recommend combining mesh fencing with a solid board, rail, or steel along the top. This additional feature helps to prevent sagging and ensures that there are no cut ends protruding towards the horses. The use of a board or rail along the top also discourages horses from reaching over and potentially damaging the fence. Adding a board along the cut edge further enhances safety by providing a barrier against sharp edges. 

While mesh fencing can offer good visibility and ventilation, it’s important to consider the type of mesh and ensure proper installation and maintenance to minimize the risks of entanglement or hoof damage. 

Considering these safety factors, Horserail provides a smooth and flexible option, while horse mesh, specifically diamond mesh, offers safety features such as small openings and a V-mesh weave.  

Horserail® vs. Horse Mesh: Difference Based on Performance 

Horserail® is a highly effective electrified rail that excels in both physical and visual barrier performance. Its design allows for flexibility upon impact, reducing the risk of injury to foals. This not only helps to save on veterinary bills but also minimizes fence damage, ensuring long-term durability. 

Mesh fencing, when correctly installed, can be effective in containing foals. However, it’s important to note that depending on the size of the mesh, it may not provide the same level of impact resistance as Horserail®. The flexibility and shock-absorbing qualities of Horserail set it apart in terms of performance, providing added safety and protection for foals. 

When considering the performance aspect, Horserail offers the advantage of being an electrified rail that offers exceptional impact resistance, minimising injuries and fence damage. Mesh fencing, while effective for containment, may not offer the same level of impact resistance. 

Horserail® vs. Horse Mesh: Difference Based on Installation 

Horserail® installation typically involves attaching the rail to posts using brackets and tensioners. While precise measurement of post spacing is necessary, the overall process is relatively straightforward and can be done with ease. If you want, you can dive deeper and learn about how to install Horserail®. 

In contrast, mesh fencing installation can be more labour-intensive. It typically requires stretching and securing the mesh to posts, which can be a more involved process. Additional tools and expertise from a fencing contractor may be needed to ensure proper installation. 

These differences highlight that Horserail® offers a simpler installation process, while mesh fencing may require more time, effort, and professional assistance to achieve proper installation. 

Horserail® vs. Horse Mesh: Difference Based on Cost 

Horserail® may have a higher upfront cost compared to mesh fencing, but it offers long-term savings through minimal maintenance requirements. With a 10-year warranty and no need for painting, Horserail ensures durability without additional expenses. 

For a 50 metres stretch, the approximate cost of a 4-rail Horserail fence = is $9,650. 

On the other hand, mesh fencing generally has a lower initial cost compared to Horserail. The materials for wire fences typically account for about 30% of the cost of a new horse enclosure. However, it’s important to consider additional expenses such as posts, staples, labour, and tools for installation. Also, while mesh fencing, such as Diamond V Mesh, is a cost-effective solution that provides durable security, ongoing maintenance, such as repairing or replacing damaged mesh, may increase long-term costs. 

For a 50-meters area, the approximate cost of high-quality Diamond v mesh = is $1,631.85. 

Horserail may require a higher upfront investment but offers long-term savings through minimal maintenance and a warranty. Mesh fencing, on the other hand, has a lower initial cost but may entail ongoing maintenance expenses.  

Horserail® vs. Horse Mesh: Difference Based on Cribbing 

Horserail offers a unique advantage in addressing cribbing behaviour through its electric current feature. The shock provided by the electrified rail makes it difficult for horses, including foals, to engage in cribbing. Additionally, even if the rail is not electrified, the smooth surface and flexibility of the Horserail discourage horses from chewing or cribbing on the fence. 

On the other hand, mesh fencing alone may not effectively deter cribbing behaviour, as they can still chew on the posts. Horses typically grab a solid surface with their front teeth when cribbing. Mesh fencing does not provide a solid surface for this purpose. However, if a solid rail is installed above the mesh fencing, it can attract horses to chew on. 

When considering cribbing, Horserail emerges as the superior option due to its unique features specifically designed to discourage horses. Its electric current and overall design make it a reliable choice for addressing this behavioural issue, providing peace of mind for you. 

Which is the Best Fence for Your Foaling Yard? Horserail Or Horse Mesh? 

Choosing the right fencing for a foaling yard is vital to ensure the safety and well-being of your horses. Both Horserail and horse mesh are popular options for foaling yards, and this article has provided a comprehensive comparison of these two fencing types, based on 6 key factors. 

Now you know that Horserail® stands out for its exceptional quality, durability, safety and low maintenance. Its patented installation process ensures a hassle-free experience and offers peace of mind knowing that your foals and horses are protected by a high-quality fence. 

On the other hand, horse mesh, particularly diamond mesh, is also recognized for its safety features and strength, making it a reliable choice. 

However, if we consider the factors listed above, Horserail emerges as superior, offering a combination of durability, safety, and effective deterrence against cribbing behaviour. While mesh fencing may require additional measures to maintain safety. Horserail not only delivers reliable performance but also boasts an easy installation process. Despite its higher initial cost, Horserail provides long-term savings through reduced maintenance requirements.  

Ultimately, the decision between Horserail® and mesh fencing for a foaling yard will be based on your unique requirements, budgetary considerations, and personal preferences. It is crucial to consider your priorities to create a secure and safe environment for foals. 

We understand cost plays an important role in the overall fence planning process. An interactive tool that maps out your fence and gives you an approximate price based on the selected area, can prove to be useful at this stage. 

If you have more questions on the safety or suitability of a fencing solution for your property, connect with our fencing experts. We will answer all your queries and help you create a safe and beautiful yard for your foals.