"Good fences make good neighbors"...truer words were never spoken. Sturdy, attractive fencing increases the value of your property as well as keeps you on good terms with the neighbors. In most rural areas, the policy is to "fence out" meaning that you have to put up fences to keep out your neighbors' kids and dogs rather than them fencing them in. Fencing reduces your liabilities as well as protects your livestock investment. Fencing around your garden will keep out deer and racoons.
In order to make your fencing decisions, you need to think about your plans for your homestead. If you would like to have horses or cattle someday, you should try to incorporate their fencing needs into your plan. Would you like to fence off small pens first? Or would you do better to fence off the perimeter of your property? What style of fencing will enhance your property?
The number one restriction for most people is cost. My advice is to buy the best you can afford.
BOARD FENCING
Absolutely, you should buy the best posts you can afford. Buying the best quality posts available will save you a lot of time and maintenance and will ensure the fence's integrity. It is a big headache to have to replace a rotten post. Posts are usually 6" half-rounds set 8' on center. Most people put up three board fence. This fence is usually XX' tall. The bottom board is usually put at XX", the second board at XX" and the top board at XX".
Four board fence is even better...especially if you are planning to keep sheep or goats along with your horses. Four board fence also keeps most large dogs out of your pasture.
WOVEN WIRE
Many people use woven wire (or stock wire) fence because it is cheap and can be hung on T-posts or 3" wood posts. This kind of fence needs a top board or an electric top wire if you are planning to keep horses or cattle because they will lean on it and "walk it down" over time. Posts are set 8' on center. Corner posts need to be braced and you need to have a wench to stretch the fence as it is being installed.
ELECTRIC
Electric fencing depends on livestock that respect it. Most do, but I have a donkey who has learned that he can go through it and one shock is worth the getting at the grass on the other side. Electric wire is hard for livestock to see, but if you walk the perimeter with your animals, they can learn the boundaries. Electric tape is more visible and comes in several colors. The key to putting up a trustworthy electric fence is to make sure you have a good ground for your charger so any animals testing the fence get a good (but harmless) shock. Electric fence can easily be installed using "step in" posts or by using T-posts with insulted wire/tape holders.
"Electric Fencing: Do it Right" is an excellent book for the homesteader. It explains in great detail how to properly install and maintain electric fencing.
STOCK PANELS
Cattle panels, or combination panels, also make a handy fence. They come in different heights, but most are 16' long. They can be hung on wooden posts and T-posts. Posts are set 8' or 16' on center. They are much sturdier than woven wire. It is best to hang them so that the bottom wire is two inches off the ground. That way, you can weedwack along your fencelines without tearing up your string. They keep most dogs out. Combination panels have smaller squares on the bottom that keeps even my small dogs and poultry in.
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