Elevated Equine Environments: Modern Gates and Fencing For Horses

From companions and pleasure to showjumping and racing, horses are special to all of us for a variety of reasons. And for anybody who raises or trains horses, you’ll know that investing in their quality of life begins with providing them with the best environment and ensuring they’re kept safe and secure throughout the seasons. Secure fencing plays a major role in both these key elements of responsible horse care.

Horse fencing and gates need to be both highly practical to not restrict accessibility, and durable in design to withstand the conditions to sufficiently secure horses in pens, paddocks, and stabling facilities. To achieve this environment, informing yourself on what to look for and modern advancements in your horse fencing can help you get the best the market has to offer. Below, we’ll provide you with the top gates and fencing for keeping your horses safe and secure on your farm.

PVC Post & Rail Fencing

When you think of horse fencing, you likely picture post and rail fencing. It’s been used to secure livestock and animals for generations, due to the robust boundary it creates in its firm railing. It’s a fantastic option for horse fencing that provides a secure, strong and aesthetically pleasing protection and boundary. As it’s traditionally made from whitewashed timber, its weight and durability have let it down in the past. However, modern versions are made with heavy-duty PVC, which makes it more lightweight and durable than wood.

Post and Rail PVC Fencing is very well-suited for tournaments and Show Horse fencing. One reason for this is that it offers great visibility through the railing, but it’s also because it is a very visually appealing type of fencing. Its confident rail panelling reflects the elegance and class of horsemanship. For those who see visitors and customers come to their farm, post and rail fencing is a very presentable option that boosts the aesthetic appeal of your horse and stables.

Horse-Rated Gates

Gates are just as important as fences when it comes to horse security. While fences cover much more ground, gates are the key to accessibility and ease of movement throughout your horse farm. Horse gates must be fit for horse facilities, and that means you need to seek out gates rated for equine environments. Equine-rated gates are built specifically for the care and safety of horses. They usually swing both ways for easy opening and closing and have rounded edges that avoid injuring the horse if they scrape the fence. Here are important elements to consider when searching for the perfect horse gate:

Lightweight, durable and easy to open

Chauffeuring your houses around the farm is a delicate task at times. You need your horse gate to be as user-friendly as possible. Lightweight gates make it easier to open and close with one hand while also reducing the chances of the gate's weight damaging the latch. Again, PVC gate material offers a more innovative and lightweight solution to traditional wooden fences. The quality of the gate and its materials will affect its durability and hinge movement, so investing in top-quality gates from a reputable Australian fencing supplier will elevate your horse enclosure.

Horse proof latches

One of the biggest fears of horse owners is checking on them to see that they’ve escaped. Top-quality horse gates have human-only latches that require a special hand movement with multiple motions to open. Their design means they cannot be opened by horses, even with their high intelligence.

Match the fencing style

Go for a gate that matches the style and height of the fencing. If you opt for post and rail fencing, you should purchase a post and rail gate that is equine-rated. This will provide visual consistency throughout your horse farm, which boosts its visual appeal and also reduces the risk of weak points throughout the fencing structure that could present vulnerabilities.

If you have star picket fencing, the same wiring is not typically made in gates. Instead, choose an appendure mesh-style gate. Horses have a tendency to play with fencing and gates, so gates with crossed and diagonal bracing should be avoided, as they can get their feet caught in the braces. You should also avoid any large gaps and jagged protrusions in the gate, along with rough and sharp edges that can cause wounds to horses.

Safe, Sound & Secure Equine Environments

Caring for horses involves dramatically different things from one horse discipline to another. Whether you’re training for showhorse tournaments, raising race winners or having a couple of companions in your backyard, keeping them safe and protected in a secure environment is important for their well-being as well as your peace of mind. The spatial and land needs also vary depending on what type of horses you keep, and part of keeping them secure ensures that their farm land is equipped for horses and kept in good and safe conditions.

When it comes to horse fencing and gates, visibility, durability, weight and appearance are key. Wooden post and rail fences have traditionally been an industry favourite for their aesthetic appeal and strength. Recently, material innovations have meant that you can achieve the same visual appeal with a lighter, more durable and easier-to-maintain fence with PVC materials.

When choosing a horse gate, make sure you select equine-rated gates, which should include a horse-proof latch. Again, opting for a lightweight and durable material will make accessibility and horse safety an easier conquest.