Ideas for "gateless" horse pasture drive thru

mgtd · May 9, 2008

Ideas wanted for "gateless" horse pasture drive thru

I need some ideas for a gateless opening in pasture fencing that will keep horses in the pasture. What works and what doesn't work?? I rent out the majority of my 30 acres to a nieghbor who keeps 2-4 horses on my property, but I'm getting tired of opening gates when I want to cruise the back acreage in my ATV or golfcart, or just go back in my compact tractor to get wood, move soil et cetera. I don't want to have to mortgage the farm by installing solar powered remote control gates--and I don't particularly like the "bump gate" concept--I'm thinking of a simple grate system (maybe over a shallow ditch)--or a short "stile/ramp up" consisting of narrowly spaced tube/timbers. I've heard this idea works quite well for cattle--but may not be as effective with horses (are they smarter than cattle)? Thanks for any input--Curt on 30 Acres of "Mud-R-Dust" in Missouri

Jeff244 · May 9, 2008

mgtd,

I'm not an expert but I can tell you that the cattle guards do not work. My wife and I were returning from breakfast one morning and saw about 5 horses walking along the side of the road. They all crossed the cattle guard. A few other people stopped to help. It was extremely difficult to get them to cross it again to get back inside. One of the horses got a hoof caught, that was scary. Another one jumped and injured the lady leading it, I think she had a separated shoulder. There was no good grass inside so I assume thats why they crossed to start with.

Jeff

Jimbrown · May 9, 2008

For a cattle guard to work there must be a ditch under it and the cross bars must be small enough that the horses can not walk on them and then it has to be strong enough to hold a PU truck. Probably cost more than gate openers. Don't know what kinda horses they are but if they are Hunter Jumpers they will just jump it anyway.

This needs to be combined with the duplicate in rural living.

bx24 · May 9, 2008

Re: Ideas wanted for "gateless" horse pasture drive thru

To your point, I cannot speak to the intelligence of horses vs cows (but I would bet horses are smarter)

I have seen lots of those "grates" out west for the large free roaming herds. My concern would be that the horses might get hurt trying to walk over it but I don't have a clue.

I am betting this is the only system that would me your criteria.

Jerome · May 9, 2008

I remember a friend of my dads had wires hanging down from a strand of electric fencing spaced about 12 inches because you are not grounded with the tires you did not get shocked but the horses did. he also had flagging tape so you and the horses could see it.

tessiers · May 9, 2008

I have seen cattle guards made of electric wire and springs so that when you drive over them they lay onto the ground then spring back up. I would think it would be cheaper because there is no ditch to dig or weight to support but a horse may be able to jump over them.

Why would anyone want a horse anyway?

Treemonkey1000 · May 10, 2008

How about a gate that has an opening spring(s). Sort of the same concept as garage door springs. Tension them enough to open the gate when you pull a rope that releases a latch when you are going one direction. Then have a rope or something on the other side that you pull to close the gate behind you.
They do sell gate openers that are battery powered. Northern Tools I think. Then have a solar charger to keep the battery topped.
The cattle grates are fine for cattle and maybe wild life. Horses don't always follow the rules. Then if one of them snapped a leg trying to get across everyone will feel pretty bad.
Jim

leftturn7m · May 10, 2008

Please do not use "cattle gates" and expect to hold horses. As others have stated, I have seen this to not work on horses. They are much smarter (sometimes, LOL). May have to deal with a gate. Good luck.

cqaigy2 · May 10, 2008

I imagine they don't use cattle guards for horses for all the reason's already stated, plus horses like to run and i doubt they would stop in time if they were running toward a gap in the fence i.e. where the cattle guard is.