Can I install a horse fence myself?

Buying a new horse fence for your property is an exciting project. The next step that follows is extremely important. Installation of your new fence. This impacts the overall cost, looks and timing of your fencing project.   

Experienced fencing contractors are a boon to any horse property. They will get your fencing up and running smoothly and successfully. However, there is a cost attached to their time, expertise and labour. If you are on a fixed fencing budget and most of your dollars are spent on choosing your favourite fence, you might not have enough room to hire the services of a good fencing contractor. Also, often the fencing contractors are in high demand and your project might get delayed due to that.    

So, to save the cost and finish your project within your timelines DIY or installing the fence yourself could be a great option. The problem is do you know enough about which horse fences are good to take up as a DIY project?   

We know this isn’t the perfect solution for everyone. But if you are an enthusiastic DIYer and have some experience in installing fences, want to reduce the cost of the project and avoid the mistakes of DIY horse fencing then this article is for you.   

 At Stock & Noble, we provide our customers with a wide range of fencing solutions across Australia and New Zealand. All our products are accompanied by detailed installation documents. Based on our knowledge and the experience of our clients who have installed the horse fences themselves, we would share some insights which will help you if you are considering the option of installing the fences yourself.   

After reading this article, you will be in a much better position to determine which horse fence is a good DIY project to undertake. Additionally, you will learn the dos and don’ts of installing a fence yourself.  

 Is my horse fence suitable for a DIY project?   

 Before you begin a project it’s important to accept the fact that DIY is a constant learning experience, and it might take you longer to finish your fencing than you expect.   

Some fences are easier to install while others demand a lot of effort, time and money. The horse fences mentioned below are listed based on the level of difficulty during installation. Starting from easy to difficult.   

Electric Braided Fence   

In our experience, any electric braided fence like Equirope is the easiest to install. If you are a new DIYer, you can easily install this fence as compared to the other options.  

It’s a rope that comes rolled up and can be installed in 3 steps. 

1. Unroll the rope. 
2. Stretch it to the recommended tension  
3. Attach it to the posts  

Your fencing is done. What also makes it an easier and faster DIY option is the installation of posts. You can use Plastic, Timber or Steel posts and simply ram them into the ground. There is no need to dig the holes and concrete the posts in. It’s a high-demand product and we recommend it’s best to check the availability of Equirope before you plan your fencing.   

Plastic Horse Fences

 The second easiest to install fencing would be Flexible Plastic Rails. There are many different options available in Australia and New Zealand like Horserail, Stallion Railand Legacy Rail. These rails are lightweight and are therefore easier to work with. Your start and finish assemblies need to be strong enough to take the tension of the rail. Once the rails are well tensioned, you’re good to go. Installation of Horserail is fast, easy and worth attempting yourself.    

Buckley Steel Fencing System   

Buckley is an engineered fencing system, so, there’s a pre-assigned place for every part. The posts are pre-cut and come with pre-drilled holes. The part that requires the most effort is digging holes for the posts and concreting them into the ground. 

Once you get the spacing right, the rails simply slide into the holes. There is no need for fixing, cutting, welding or painting. If you follow the documents and instructions to install Buckley, it will be a great feeling to build your dream fence yourself. However, you can also consider the option of splitting up the work with a fencing contractor where they can install the posts and the rest you can do yourself.   

PVC Post and Rail fencing   

Similar to Buckley, PVC is also a light material to work with and is comparatively easier to install than Timber fencing. You’ll have to dig holes for the posts, concrete them in and once again the most challenging part is to get the exact spacing right for the rails to fit in. Once that’s done, your fencing is ready.   

Cattle Rail   

Steel Pipe fencing can be sourced from your local steel supplier and it’s suitable as a DIY project only if you are comfortable with welding. The rails have to be cut to the required length and attached to the post through welding. It’s more time-consuming and difficult compared to the other Post and Rail fencing solutions. But if you’re great at welding you can consider it to install yourself.   

Timber Post and Rail   

Timber is a heavier material to work with and is more labour-intensive than any of the other horse fencing options. It has to be cut, concreted and installed on site. 

Along with being a heavier product, Timber also comes in an irregular shape that must be worked with which requires more time, energy and effort to get it looking right. It’s best suited for experienced fencing contractors who have all the required tools, machinery and expertise to install Timber Post and Rail successfully. However, if you have prior experience with Timber fencing then you can give it a go.   

Equine Mesh   

This might come as a surprise to you. While mesh looks easier to install, it’s one of the more difficult/challenging horse fencing options to take up as a DIYer. No matter what kind of Equine mesh it is – No Climb Mesh, Diamond V mesh or any other, the problem with their installation is the time and labour needed for installation.  

Each length or run of the paddock has to be tensioned and tied off and that takes the most time and effort than any other fencing option. If labour-intensive work isn’t your strength, it’s best to stay away from the mesh.   

Factors to consider while installing a fence yourself.   

Previous Experience    

If you have some experience in installing a fence then it’s awesome, however, if it’s new territory for you consider picking an easier fence to work with like Equirope. We highly recommend getting a friend along who is preferably a great DIYer to share the challenge and labour of one or the other types of fencing. It will also help you finish the project faster and of course, have a good time together.   

Materials for installation   

Before you begin the fencing project, take note of the basic tools and machinery needed to install a particular fence. Typically, the installation documents come with all the necessary information on the equipment needed. Here are the most common things needed: a tractor for ramming posts and hole drilling, spirit level, tape measure, marking paint long handled shovel and a string line.   

Installation documents   

When you buy any horse fencing, please check and confirm with your supplier for detailed installation documents. For example, in the case of Buckley, you must follow the instructions provided in the documents else your warranty can be void. So, to get the results you desire, it’s best to follow the recommended guidelines laid by specific fencing manufacturers.    

Installation videos   

A great advantage for any DIYer these days is the wide availability of demo videos. There are enough videos available for branded horse fences that explain the process in detail, for example – how to install Equirope, how to install Buckley and more. For non-branded or wire fences, it’s ideal to check with your fencing supplier and they can provide you with a credible source to follow and lead you in the right direction. Seeing these installs via video will help you judge whether or not you can realistically take up this project on your own. 

Inspect your posts and rails   

If you’re installing the Post and Rail fencing check if the fence is in a straight line, make sure the heights of the posts are the same, drill your hole deep enough the first time around and get the spacing between the posts right. These four things will ensure your fencing looks exactly the way you’ve imagined.   

Weather for installation   

If the ground is wet, access can become a challenge and while ramming posts, getting the right height is always difficult. On the other hand, if the ground is too dry it can be a struggle to get posts into the ground. The best time to install your fencing is late spring and early summer when the ground is good to dig or ram the posts in without extra challenges.   

 You are armed with the information needed to make fence installation easier, faster, and cost-effective. However, once you’ve budgeted for your fence, visualised how your dream property should look, and assessed the difficulty level of installation, step back and judge everything objectively.  

Are you ready to take on a DIY horse fencing project? 

 Now that you know how to evaluate different horse fencing from the filter of DIY, you’ve got a decision to make. Will you invest your time and effort to install the fence yourself or spend the money to hire a fencing contractor for the job?    

If you keep all this information in mind, installing a fence will be much easier, faster and a better experience for you overall and will help bring down the cost of your fencing project. However, if you don’t want to compromise on your dream fence and want to get it perfectly installed by a fencing contractor, then explore 5 things to do if your fencing quote exceeds your budget. It will guide you in reducing the cost of your fencing material, while still owning the fence that matches your vision.   

 If you have more questions on how to install a particular kind of horse fence yourself or want to enquire about a fencing contractor who is experienced and available to install the fence in your area, speak to one of our fencing advisors. We will lead you in the right direction with the right information to build the most beautiful equine property.