Temporary Horse Pasture - Fencing advice please

[Ken45101]

Ken,

The electric fence is specifically TEMPORARY while I finih putting in the rest of the pastures. I have 1+ acres of grass now out of over 5 total that I am still working on.

Does Premier1 have a web site? who sells it?

Thanks,

Okay, I understand. FWIW, I've pretty much gone to using the electrified rope for permanent pasture. It's a lot easier to put up than most anything else. We have had one pasture using it for about 6 years now with zero problems. All I have there is two strands and the only time the horses have gotten out is when the electric has been off for a month or two ;-) I just put up some more. Yes, it's a bit more expensive than other options but then you do not need nearly as many posts. They recommend T posts every 30' or so, and you do not have to brace the corner (wood) posts. All of that saves on overall cost.

The only drawback that I see to the electrified rope is that you do have to keep the line trimmed of weeds and tall grass. I did put up one 200' section with a bottom line of barbless wire and then the electrified rope above it. That's a compromise, still easier to put up and don't have to trim under it as much.

Here's the web page for Premier1

Electric Fencing, Ear Tags, Sheep Supplies, Clippers and Shearers, Netting, and more! - Premier1Supplies

Ken

 

[Soundguy]

i like pine.. but might go with poplar.. wouldn't use oak.. half rounds will be easy to nail to.

 

[MossflowerWoods]

i like pine.. but might go with poplar.. wouldn't use oak.. half rounds will be easy to nail to.

Poplar is $6.69 each, and MOST people around me are using Poplar.

Oak is $7.99, Pine is $6.99.

I'm pretty sure I will use Poplar.

David

 

[Soundguy]

good call.

pine is cheapes here. tis what I use

i also like pine as it gives a lil more than oak..

 

[whistlepig]

UPDATE - Almost ready to start!:thumbsup:

For along the driveway I will build permanent fencing, an just extend it as I finish the rest of the pasture. The rest will be electric...

I've found a good local source for PT posts and fence boards. Right now I am planning on using 6-7" x 7' half round PT posts (on the outside) with 2x6" x 16' Poplar boards (3 board, staggered, on the inside. Oak boards are approx $1 each more expensive, is it worth it? Pine is also an option, but they looked twisted etc. already. Poplar is probably local, we grow plenty here.

I am a little concerned right now about how wet my property is. I seem to have a high water table and even though it has been dry for days since the last rain, I have MANY puddles still. I am worried that even PT will rot if too wet. An good horse buddy suggested again I look at "synthetic" fence options but I fear they will be cost prohibitive. I need to decide on concrete, concrete and dirt, or just dirt on the posts.

I plan to put in one permanent gate, a metal 10' or 12', with a 7' round PT post, and a wheel to help support the weight.

I am looking at a generator and a compressor used from a buddy who lost his job and has too many (needs the money too).

I plan to buy a new heavy duty 9' auger and borrow my neighbor's 3pt PHD, but I might buy a 12" just to minimize my need for hand digging and ease of alignment.

I am down to two choices for framing nailer. Lowe's has the Hitachi reg price $199 (I can get -5% for Lowe's card, or maybe -10% for veteran), comes with a 3 year warranty. Home Depot has the Rigid for $229, lifetime warranty, (MAYBE I can get -10% veteran, big maybe). If you have an opinion which is better, clue me in.

For the electric fencing I plan to use Electro Braid and plastic step in posts.

OK, that is the update. I am ready to pull the trigger and start buying & working. My questions to you experts are...

1 - What am I forgetting?
2 - Where is my thinking flawed?
3 - Which Farming Nailer?
4 - Who wants to come help?

Thanks in advance for all the new advice, and please know I am in debt to you for your past advice and education.

Be well all,
David

In the thirty five years of dealing with fence I have never had a PT post rot out. A 9" auger is best for 4" round posts and 12" auger is best for 7" round posts. Need some good string, a 300' Lufkin tape measure, level, and a can of marking paint.

 

[crbr]

Thanks for the pictures

 

[Ga old man]

One strand of aluminum wire near top of 6' t-post on 20' spacing (let's deer avoid it and horses won't duck under) and unless they are totally wild or starving once they touch the wire they won't do it again. I normally don't even have the wire hooked to the charger. And although Lowe's is my favorite, don't use the credit card for the 5% savings unless you can pay it all off on first bill. You can borrow money from a loan shark at a better rate.
Just my experience for what it's worth. Good looking go wood, longevity use the t-posts.

 

[whistlepig]

I don't know about the deer. I have seen them hop over a six foot fence like I was stepping over a log many a time. They don't even take a run at the 6' fence. They walk up to it, look around a bit, and hop over it.

 

[Ga old man]

Our deer are fairly small, and yes they can jump a 6' fence with no effort from what I've seen, but I was talking about the ones that must have been running into it for whatever reason. Maybe dog's or coyotes chasing them? Now most just walk under like it isn't there. I do have a road side fence of 6 strands of barbed on t-posts but that was put up years back when I had cows

 

[MotorSeven]

In the thirty five years of dealing with fence I have never had a PT post rot out. A 9" auger is best for 4" round posts and 12" auger is best for 7" round posts. Need some good string, a 300' Lufkin tape measure, level, and a can of marking paint.

35 years & no rot? No concrete then I assume...that's what kills any post eventually.

I don't think you will replicate that stat with the "new" treated posts....I think they just dip them in Green Tea:laughing:.