Last Updated on January 18, 2023
Keeping our horses safe and secure is a top priority for all horse owners! But what is a no-climb fence and will it help keep your horse safe? Let’s find out!
We all love to ride and spend time with our horses, but do you ever worry about the quality of care and protection they receive when we are not with them? We want our horses to have the freedom and liberty they deserve, but to do this we need to feel sure that they are safe and secure.
Traditionally, many types of effective fencing have been used to fence horse paddocks made of wood, vinyl, and wire. However, there is now a relatively new fencing concept called “no-climb fencing” which might be just what you have been looking for! But what exactly is a no-climb fence for horses, and are they as good as they sound? We’ve got everything you need to know right here, so keep reading to find out more!
What Is A No-Climb Fence For Horses?
The amount of time a horse spends turned out in a paddock will depend on your horse and where it lives. Sometimes horses only go outside for an hour or two a day to stretch their legs, while other horses live outside all the time. Regardless of how much time your horse spends outside, the key to keeping your horse safe and secure is to provide the right kind of fencing. It is vital that the fencing you choose is safe and suitable for your horse and strong enough to withstand any physical pressures that horses put on it.
So, what is a no-climb fence, and is it a good choice for fencing a horse paddock?
The no-climb horse fence is a relatively new design concept with some interesting advantages over other fencing methods. A no-climb fence is a wire fence with small ovular or rectangular gaps between links. It gets its name from the fact that horses cannot step through it or push against it, unlike traditional fencing methods such as wooden railings.
Some people choose to reinforce their no-climb woven wire fence with wooden or metal horizontal beams, while others opt to just use vertical posts. Overall, a no-climb horse fence has become very popular due to its ability to be customized and the safety it provides to those inside of it.
Pros of A No-Climb Horse Fence
If you need to erect a new fence around a paddock or replace an old or broken fence, it pays to weigh up the pros and cons of different types of fencing. You will need to consider factors such as the horse fence cost, ease of installation, the safety of your horse, and how long the fence will last.
Let’s take a look at the advantages of a no-climb horse fence:
Longevity
One characteristic that farm owners love about no-climb fencing is its longevity. The wire used to make no-climb fencing does not rot and therefore does not need to be replaced frequently. It also doesn’t break or snap as easily as wood or PVC fencing, and horses are less likely to break through it.
The durability and longevity of no-climb fencing are also an advantage in that it decreases maintenance time and cost. Once the fence is installed all you need to do is check for any damage and make minor repairs as needed.
Reduced Risk Of Injuries
Unfortunately, horses are very accident-prone, and turnout injuries are very common! Most horse owners will be able to tell you about a time when their horse injured themselves on a fence rail or became tangled in fencing wire. Paddock-related injuries can have devastating long-term consequences and may often result in large veterinary bills.
When it comes to no-climb mesh fencing, the gaps in the links are significantly smaller than the gaps between wooden or PVC rails. This means that horses cannot get their legs or hooves stuck in the fencing, reducing the risk of injury. The increased height of the fence also means that your horse is less likely to lean over or attempt to jump the fence.
Increased Security
One of the biggest advantages to no-climb fencing is that not only does it keep your horse safely in the pasture, but it also keeps everything else out! Children and pets can squeeze through railings, but with no climb fencing, they have no way in. This helps to keep everyone safe and prevent accidents from occurring.
Cons Of A No-Climb Horse Fence
So, no climb fencing sounds pretty good so far, right? But as with most things, there are some downsides to no climb fencing for horses. Let’s take a look at the pitfalls and disadvantages to be aware of:
Difficult To Install
One of the most common complaints you will find about no-climb fencing for horses is that it is difficult to install. If you’ve never installed a fence like this before, it is a good idea to either hire a contractor to install the fencing or call for the help of friends or neighbors that have installed it in the past. The wire links can easily break if they are bent too many times, so this is a task where accuracy and attention to detail are vital.
Cost
The initial cost of no-climb fencing can be expensive, especially if you need to hire contractors to install it for you. However, all types of fencing will incur some cost, especially if you are starting from scratch.
Singleton Fencing offers free estimates on the cost of the no-climb fencing, in conjunction with estimates of their other kinds of fencing – these can be found here.
You can reduce the costs of installing no-climb fencing by doing the labor yourself, but this requires a reasonable level of expertise.
Visibility
The final disadvantage of no-climb fencing for horses is its visibility. As with all types of wire fencing, it can be difficult to see the wire without reinforcing it with wooden or PVC horizontal beams. For this reason, some have complained that this defeats the purpose of using no-climb fencing, as it serves to replace the use of these materials.
However, just one or two horizontal beams should be enough to make no-climb fencing visible, in comparison to the normal three to five horizontal beams that traditional wood or PVC fencing uses. Some horse owners run a strand of white tape along the top of the fence to make it easily visible to their horses.
How To Install A No-Climb Horse Fence
To install a no-climb fence for horses, you will first need to erect suitable fence posts. Some no-climb fencing systems come with metal fence posts, while others require you to install your own wooden or metal fence posts. Whichever type of posts you use, they must be securely concreted into the ground at intervals of 8 to 10 feet.
Take the role of no climb fence wire and carefully unroll it alongside the inside of the fence, with the smooth side against the fence posts. Secure the no-climb fence wire to the posts with fencing nails or clips, keeping the tension even and tight along the run of the fence. It can help to use a fence stretching tool to help maintain an even tension along the fence.
When you get to a corner, it can be easier to cut the roll and start again on the next side. Many people struggle to bend the wire around corners, and this can become a weak area prone to breakage.
Variations of No Climb Horse Fence
As we mentioned earlier, no-climb fencing for horses is very customizable. You can choose what type of wire you want to use, how high you want the wire to go, the shapes of the links in the wire, whether to make the fence electric or not, and whether to use bracing or not.
The wire can either be the standard mesh or the more durable woven type. Woven wire, which resembles a braid, can make the wire last longer and be more resistant to pressure.
With no climb fencing, you can also select whether to make the top wire electric or not, depending on what is best for your horses. Electric wire is useful to prevent horses from leaning over the fence, which can cause it to bend and break.
And, as discussed earlier, horizontal beams can be used to reinforce the no-climb fencing – this is called “bracing” and is quite popular among no-climb users.
You can check affordable no-climb fence options here.
Conclusion – What Is A No Climb Fence For Horses?
It is the responsibility of all horse owners to ensure that the time their horses spend within the confines of fencing is safe and secure. No-climb fencing is a great way to achieve this because it reduces the risk of common turnout injuries, keeps the horse securely in the paddock, and prevents unwanted visitors from accessing it. Whilst a no-climb fence may be expensive to install and require the assistance of a contractor, it should last for many years with very little maintenance.
We hope you found this article helpful in understanding why to choose a no-climb fence, and what the advantages and disadvantages are. If you have any comments or questions, please leave them below and we will get back to you!
FAQs
Is a no-climb fence safe for horses?
No-climb fences or horse escape-proof fencing are generally safe for horses. However, horses are curious animals and will sometimes test boundaries, so it's important to make sure your no-climb fence is sturdy and safe.
Injuries sustained from no-climb fences are generally minor, for example, horses can get their legs caught in the fence, or they may fall and injure themselves if they try to jump over it.
If you decide to go with no-climb fencing, make sure you install it properly and check it regularly for damage. It is also a good idea to fit a rail along the top of the fence to make it more visible to your horse.
How are no-climb fences made?
The most common type of no-climb fence is a wire fence with metal posts. The wire is can sometimes be electrified to prevent animals from climbing over it.
Other types of no-climb fences include plastic mesh fencing, which is strong and difficult to climb, and wooden fences with wire mesh reinforcement.
No-climb fences are used for a variety of purposes, such as keeping animals in or out of an area, preventing them from crossing a road, or keeping them from damaging a building or crops.
No-climb fences can be very effective when used properly, but it's important to remember that no fence is 100% foolproof. Make sure you take all necessary safety precautions and keep an eye on your horses to ensure they don't get into trouble.
Are no-climb fences expensive?
No-climb fences can be expensive to install, however, the price will vary depending on the type of fence you choose and the materials used.
Metal or plastic fences are generally more expensive than wooden fences. Electrified wire fencing is also more expensive than non-electrified fencing.
On average, no-climb fences cost between $10 and $15 per foot to install. This may sound like a lot, but in the long term, they are worth the price. It's important to remember that no-climb fences are a long-term investment. They can be more expensive to install, but they will last for many years with proper maintenance. And the peace of mind of knowing your horse is safe is priceless.
What needs to be considered when no-climb fencing is being built?
When a no-climb fence is being installed, it needs to be able to withstand a force equivalent to a horse leaning on the fence without it collapsing. The no-climb fence should also have no sharp edges, particularly around gates and corners as these can cause injuries. It is also important to make sure there is no way for a horse to get tangled in the fence as this could lead to injury or strangulation.
If the fence is electrified, it must be installed in a safe and proper manner to prevent fire hazards and electrical shocks.
It is also vital to ensure that the fence posts are buried deep enough when installing no-climb fencing. If they are buried less than 18 inches deep they can be pushed over when animals lean on the fence. Make sure the fence posts are deep enough to prevent this from happening and concrete them into place if necessary.
It's also important to make sure no-climb fencing is properly maintained. Fences should be checked for damage regularly and repaired as necessary. Horses are curious animals and they may try to test the sturdiness of the fencing repeatedly, which can cause damage over time.
Overall, no-climb fencing is a safe and effective way to keep horses contained, but it's important to consider all the factors involved when installing one. With proper installation and maintenance, no-climb fencing can provide years of safe and secure containment for your horses.
Michael Dehaan is a passionate horse owner, horse rider, and lover of all things equine. He has been around horses since he was a child, and has grown to become an expert in the field. He has owned and ridden a variety of horses of different breeds, and has trained many to compete in shows and competitions. He is an experienced horseman, having worked with and competed many horses, including his own. He is an active member of the equestrian community, participating in events and teaching riding lessons.
