How to build a good paddock fencing

What makes a good fencing? First things first: A good paddock fence is perfectly secure and in accordance with the animal protection laws.

Professional assembly ensures long-lasting fences

Running freely and grazing on the meadow are essential for a horse's health. A professionally mounted paddock fence protects man and beast likewise. Injured or escaped horses, as well as traffic accidents due to ill-conceived and unprofessionally assembled paddocks fencings are very common. The livestock owner is always responsible when his beasts break off and is liable for the damage caused.

What makes a good fencing? First things first: A good paddock fence is perfectly secure and in accordance with the animal protection laws.

Secure & solid paddock fencing

Horses are flight animals. If they are given an opportunity, they will try to escape. An almost invisible current conduction within a very thin rope increases the risk of an outbreak extensively. Moreover, the height and the stability of the fencing play an important role in terms of security: if the fencing is too low or the poles inclined and groggy, the risk of an outbreak attempt raises.

Accordance with the animal protection laws

A badly built paddock fence can seriously harm and injure the animals. If you corral your paddock with cords, there will be a risk that (especially younger) horses get entangled. In the worst case, they may hurt themselves so badly, that they have to be put down. Same thing for barbed wire, of course.

So, wooden fence or electric conduction?

Obviously, animals can't be caught in a wooden fence. The escape risk is very low: The rails - of which 2, 3, or more will be mounted - represent an impressive visual barrage, unlike a thin electric fence, especially when the ropes sag after a while. Moreover: As soon as the electrical current drops - e.g. caused by bushes, grasses or fallen branches - the horses will sense the opportunity to escape.

Why choose a wooden paddock fence?

With the right pre-treatment, especially the DeepProtect impregnation, wooden fences can present a lifespan of up to 10 years. Animal owners will not have to fear expensive maintenance. Modern wooden paddock fences withstand harsh weather conditions and their natural look fits very nicely in the rural landscape.

What to consider when constructing a wooden paddock?

The height of a paddock can be an easy rule of thumb:

Height = 4/5 of the wither's height of the tallest horse on the pasture

At least 1/3 of the post's total length should be under ground to ensure the fence's stability With mixed grazing animals, the lower part of the paddock should possibly be wired.

Special attention should be given to the field gates: It is crucial to correctly mortise and screw together the wooden frame. An additional transverse is necessary for further stabilisation. Sharp edges, splintered material, protruding spikes or wire mesh need to be avoided everywhere.

Who builds paddock fencings?

A long-lasting, perfectly secure and aesthetically appealing paddock fencing should be committed to professionals. That’s why at Peter Müller, we designed the modular fencing system DURAfence. You individually configure your own fencing to your needs and quality requirements in 4 easy steps.

Thanks to state of the art equipment and qualified staff we ensure:

• On-site professional consultancy
• Standardized pressure impregnation
• Perfectly shaped mounting in no time

A DURAfence paddock fencing is always a unique copy: configured individually depending on terrain conditions.

Discover our DURAfence fencing system