Stock & Noble
- BY Tripti Kakkar
Horserail® is one of the most popular fencing systems for horses in the world. It is likely you have encountered it in some way, searched for it, heard about it, purchased it, or thought of purchasing it for your horse property at least once or twice.
In recent years, Horserail has become a generic name that various brands use when referring to flexible plastic rails because of its outstanding performance.
The most popular result you’ll see when searching for Horserail in Australia and New Zealand is Stallion Rail, along with the original Horserail.
So what’s the difference between the two? Which flexible rail should you pick for your property?
At Stock & Noble, we offer the highest quality fencing solutions across Australia and New Zealand. The Horserail® and Legacy Rail are two globally acclaimed Flexible Plastic Horse Fences that we have carefully chosen for our portfolio. We may be biased and convinced that our products are the best, but we also realize that they come at a premium. Stallion Rail may be better suited for your property.
In this article, we will stick to the facts and highlight the key similarities and differences between Horserail and Stallion Rail. Our goal is to help clarify your decision-making process and point you towards the horse fencing ideal for your property.
The comparison will be based on their origin, manufacturing, material, strength, safety, looks, warranty, proof of success, maintenance and cost.
By the time you’ve finished reading this, you should be able to make a much-informed decision about whether the Horserail you’re considering is the right fencing solution for you.
The origin of Horserail vs Stallion Rail
Before we move forward and dive into the detailed comparison between Horserail and Stallion Rail, it’s important to dig into the past. To understand where these Flexible Plastic Rails came from and why they are so similar to each other.
The history of Horserail
Originally designed by John Wall in America more than 30 years ago, Horserail® became a global success. And eventually evolved into a genre of its own. As a result of Horserail’s popularity and trust, many brands call their Flexible Plastic Rail “Horserail”. Including Stallion Rail.
But there is only one authentic Horserail®. It’s imperative to know the difference between the original Horserail and other brands.
In Australia and New Zealand, Horserail® remains the highest-selling flexible plastic rail trusted by horse owners and fencing contractors.
Horserail® was born in America, and today it continues to be manufactured in the United States and sold by only a few suppliers to Australian and New Zealand horse properties.
If you are interested in Horserail, it’s always recommended to check the lead times and availability of stock beforehand.
The history of Stallion Rail
Ben Duncan deserves credit for introducing Horserail® to Australia. Since he introduced it to our country two decades ago, horse owners have been raving about its safety, looks, and ease of maintenance.
Despite being the distributor of Horserail® in Australia for decades, Duncan Equine Group no longer stocks the original.
In the recent past, they have launched a flexible plastic rail known as Stallion Rail. It’s probably the closest competitor to the original Horserail™. However, Stallion Rail is manufactured in China, as opposed to Horserail® which has US-based manufacturing.
What is the original Horserail®?
Horserail® is made of four-inch or 108-millimeter wide UV-stabilised medium-density polyethylene, which is molecularly bonded to three strands of high-tensile wire.
Simply put, Horserail fences are flexible plastic rails that resemble traditional Timber rails. This fence has strong, straight, evenly spaced lines and three high-tensile wires running through the middle. The product is highly visible and comes in black or white.
The strong, smooth surface of the Horserail easily bends and flexes. This means that if your horse runs into, hits, kicks or places a leg through the fence, the animal is less likely to be injured.
Besides the obvious advantage of preventing horses from getting injured, this product is also low maintenance. There are no broken boards and no splinters, and it does not require painting or mould treatment. As an added benefit, Horserail is easy to clean.
Horserail fences are available in three different types in Australia and New Zealand:
- Horserail® – Non-electric rail (Australia only)
- Horserail® Hottop – Rail with electric top (Australia only)
- Horserail® Hottop plus – Rail with electric top and bottom (Australia and New Zealand)
In part, Horserail®’s popularity is due to its electric rails. In addition to being safe for horses, they stop them from leaning on or over the fence as well as cribbing.
What is Stallion Rail?
This Flexible Plastic Horse Fencing is from Duncan Equine, an Australian fencing company.
Stallion Rail is a Flexible plastic rail that takes its design inspiration from Horserail, looking and functioning in very similar ways. Though the feel is not the same.
Similar to Horserail®, Stallion Rail is also 4-inch wide and is made of premium-grade UV stabilised Medium Density Polyethylene, bonded to the high tensile wire using the most current molecular bonding technology.
Stallion Rail is also a highly flexible rail and safe for horses.
Like Horserail, it’s also a low maintenance system reducing the need for traditional upkeep of painting and ongoing replacement of damaged rails.
There are three different types of Stallion Rail available in Australia and New Zealand:
- Stallion Rail Non-Electric
- Stallion Rail Ultra: Rail with electric top
- Stallion Rail Extreme: Rail with electric top and bottom
Comparison Chart – Horeserail vs Stallion Rail
This comparison chart clearly explains the feature-based differences between Horserail and Stallion Rail.
The key similarities between Horserail® and Stallion Rail
Material
Both are made with MDPE or Medium-Density Polyethylene, which is molecularly bonded to three strands of 2.5mm diameter high-tensile wire.
Looks
Both carry the look of traditional Timber rails with a width of approximately 110 mm.
Electric Rail
Both Stallion Rail and the original Horserail offer superior-quality electric fencing options with high conductivity.
Safety
Both are safe for horses with high visibility and flexibility.
UV Stability
Both are UV stabilised and well suited for the climatic conditions of Australia and New Zealand.
Availability
Both stallion Rail and Horserail are imported products and face the same constraints of shipping and deliveries.
However, for smaller orders of 2 and 3 rolls, the stock is typically available, if you are doing a large project we recommend being in touch with your supplier and getting an understanding of availability and lead times.
The key differences between Stallion Rail and Horserail®
Years of operation
Horserail® is a well-known product and has proven its success for over 25 years across Australia and New Zealand.
While Stallion Rail was launched in 2018.
Manufacturing
Horserail was created in the US and is still 100% manufactured there. Stallion Rail was designed and developed in Australia and is manufactured in China.
Warranty
Stallion Rail and Horserail offer the same warranty of 30 years on the non-electric version. However, the warranty on electric variants of Stallion Rail is 5 years more than on Horserail. Warranty is a critical factor and it’s important to understand what exactly the manufacturer or supplier is offering beyond the years.
Cost
Horserail is more expensive than Stallion Rail. Since it’s a leading product with years of reliability and trust, we don’t hesitate to acknowledge this.
Do you know which Horserail® to choose for your property?
You wanted safe and stunning fencing for your horse property and were looking to choose the best option between the original Horserail® and Stallion Rail.
Now you know the key similarities and differences between these two Horserail.
Although both products are good, Horserail, having been in the country for over 25 years, has proven its durability over time. We know it looks premium, performs well under the tough sun of New Zealand, and hardly needs tensioning once installed by a Fencing Contractor. It continues to elevate the aesthetics of your property, helps ensure the safety of your horses and has established its worth.
Stallion rail, however, is only five years old, so we can’t say the same, though there is every indication of success.
In the end, it depends on your choice and budget. If it’s a large fencing project, it’s advisable to go with a proven product. If it’s a smaller property you are looking to fence, you can always experiment. So, the next step is to know how much it costs to buy and install Horserail on your property. This knowledge will guide you further in choosing the right fencing solution.
It’s our goal to help you create a beautiful and safe equine property that you are proud of for generations. No matter which Horserail you choose, we hope it matches your vision. If you have any questions about the availability, cost, installation or performance of the original Horserail then let us know. Our fencing experts are there to guide you with a zilch obligation to purchase.
