Thursday, February 28, 2008

Sagging woven wire with uncapped T-posts.



This may be one instance where the barbed wire is actually HELPING this fence to be 1% safer, but this is still an accident waiting to happen.

If the openings in a fence are large enough to allow a hoof to pass through, even the laziest horse can become stuck by a stray kick at a bothersome fly.

Fence that is not tight, sags and has broken in places adds immeasurably to the risk. If the fence were tighter and a hoof went through, the horse might be able to pull it back out, BUT if the fence "gives" because it is not tight, it is more likely to become entangled.

T-posts without protective caps can impale a frightened, fleeing horse.

Monday, February 18, 2008

PVC rail fence.



One of the safest types of horse fence, poly/vinyl rails are sturdy when erected properly and provide a great visual deterrent.

Be sure the fence is high enough to keep horses from thinking they might jump over.

One pitfall of this type of fence is if a tree falls on it or something else happens to shatter it, the splinters can be extremely sharp and jagged.

Saturday, February 9, 2008

Barbed wire and foals.



Hard to see in this photo, but there are at least four strands of loosely hung barbed wire keeping this very pregnant mare contained.

I hope she was moved before she gave birth. Foals cannot be expected to be born respecting fence.

Friday, February 8, 2008

Loose barbed wire over low woven wire.



Triple whammy here.

Stock fence = no-no.

Barbed wire = BIG no-no.

Loose fence, too low = DANGEROUS for any type of fence!