Barb-wire fences

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Shirley on August 6, 2009 at 8:56am

I don't know any statistics on this BUT, Just think! I think it is more of a safety aspect then being cruel. What would happen to your horses legs if the fence wire were to break and your horse or someone elses horse got it wraped around their leg or legs?! I would guess that many a horse has been severely hurt or even bled to death by damage from barbed wire. I don't see it being put up new anywhere around me and it's even rare to see old barbed wire still being used on a pasture. Most people seem to have replaced it with safer options.
I would not want to have my horse in barbed wire fencing. If it was my only option, I'm really not sure what I'd do?! It would worry me to no end.

I will be interested in what others have to say on this.

Keep Horen Around!

Permalink Reply by Lexi on August 6, 2009 at 5:23pm

I keep my horses in a field with barbwire frence, and I think that they're fine. I think that barbwire is one of those things horses just learn to live with. I mean if they stick their head under the fence and they get a little scratch, next time thay wont stick there head under so far. If they run into it, the next day they wont. But it also can be dangerous. I would NEVER put a foal, weanling or yearling in a field with barbwire; I would also never put a wild mustang or burrow or any wild horse that is not used to being fenced in in a barbwire encloser. It can also be dangerous if the encloser is to small. But a big 1 acre, 2 acre, plus fields are just fine with barbwire, and costs way less too.

Permalink Reply by Lexi Smith on February 1, 2010 at 4:17pm

it doesn't matter if it's cheaper to keep a horse in a barbwire it is really dangerous! Lexi said that if they run into it they won't the next day but what if the first time they run into it they get tangled and bleed to death!!? barbwire is dangerous and there is no way it can be good for horses! it may be cheaper to buy but what if your horse is seriously injured!? you will have to pay vet bills and if your horse keeps getting injured then eventually it will be more expensive than normal wood fences!

Permalink Reply by Ann Hatfield on August 6, 2009 at 5:40pm

Wire fences are dangerous. But my vet says he has seen more injuries from smooth, high-tensile wire than barbed wire. Horses respect tight smooth wire to some extent but not like barbed wire. a horse running into a tight high-tensile fence will tned to bounce off it. Kept tight, horses respect barbed wire (won't lean on it like they do with smooth wire) When it is loose, when there isn't enough feed inside and desperate horses lean through it, then one gets horrible injuries. A 'hot' wire-smooth electric wire- high-tensile or berry-wire-weight- or electric rope or electric tape on insulators, inside a wire paddock makes it much safer. The electric tape or rope are obviously safer that an electric wire.

My coated wire (vinyl over high tensile) with hot rope in between is safer but needs more maintenance. The darn rope stretches a lot in winter, need wrapping around the tensioners almost weekly, and has to be dug out if the snow touches it as it shorts out and the horses learn it isn't hot and doesn't hurt to wiggle through. Then one has loose horses!! From experience of friends I would not use just a three-hot-rope fence, I would always have a really tight coated wire or plastic plank or wooden rail as a physical barrier in case the elecricity is off for more than a day or two.

Some horses test fences by sniffing very near them, sensing the electrical field, I guess, or even touching them, and if the power is off for long they will know it.

I have a mammoth donkey jack and I would always use a substantial fence, complete with a hot rope, to keep a jack or stallion in. They lose their furry little minds occasionally and bash against the fence. I believe some farm insurance policies for want one to fence in jacks and stallions like Auschwitz.

Permalink Reply by Cindy Jeffery on August 6, 2009 at 11:25pm

I agree with what others have said before me. I hate barbed wire when it is loose it makes me crazy when I see others keeping their horse in such enclosures. It's just a matter of time before even the most knowledgeable horse will get caught up in it. We all know horses are about flight to defend themselves and if they get spooked when they happen to be standing with one or two feet on either side of the loose barbed wire...guess what? We use boards and poles around our paddocks, they too can be unsafe if nails are sticking out or one breaks and leaves a jagged edge, so fence inspection is a regular daily event, especially in the places where the horses frequent the most. By the way I had a colt who ran through some barbed wire when we were just replacing with poles and boards, he was badly cut across his chest leaving a gaping piece of skin hanging. The vet had to come and stitch him up, he healed well but it was a hard lesson for the family, expensive too. So, of our 250 acres we have about 80% of the barbed wire gone.

Permalink Reply by Lexi on September 4, 2009 at 10:31pm

I agree. Barb wire and all other wire must be kept tight always to prevend your horses from danger.

Permalink Reply by Nyree on August 7, 2009 at 6:41am

wow, poor little colt, that would have been sad to see that happen. Thanks everyone. I would have to fix the wire up a bit if I ever did get a horse because some of it is loose and hanging on the ground. But I would defenitly pick that up and fix it before I got a horse. :)

Permalink Reply by Charlotte on January 30, 2010 at 11:10am

I wouldn't say cruel, irresponsible if the fence is not maintained and routinely checked. But then I think with any fence that is not maintained a horse can become seriously injured or injure itself.
But wire fences and barbwire fences are a lot more dangerous for our equine friends, and it would be nice if everyone could afford safer fencing.
And like Cindy I have a horse who as well was injured by barbwire, she started to abort late term and the fencing was loose where she dropped and rolled, her former owner thought for sure she was a goner. I do have barbwire, but we have it tight and well maintained (which does not relieve me of the worry or fear).
I would say if a horse owner can, replace whenever possible with something safer.

Permalink Reply by Tilka Marzolf on February 11, 2010 at 5:16am

Like the other answers, barb wire is not very good for horses. However if you only need to use it for a short time you can make it work. If the pasture is very large and has ample grazing then your horse is less likely to want to be "on the other side of the fence". If not you must give him lots of hay and toys to keep him busy. You also seem to mention only 1 horse. This as much as anything else will make your horse want to wander. Horses are herd animals and need company, a another horse is best but other animals, goat, donkey is usually good to. I have 3 &4 board oak fencing, generally considered the best fencing for horses, however my farm is very small in in the past my horses have broken down some fences, just because they can! I solved this problem by running an electrice wire along the top rail and never had a problem since (about 4 years now) Often the fence isn't even on but having touched it once they have respect for it and I have peace of mind that they will stay put and still have my nice fencing up? Good luck, Tilka

Permalink Reply by Cindy Jeffery on February 11, 2010 at 6:59pm

I agree Tilka with what you've said. Along with the wire along the top of the rail and leaving it turned off....I turn it on at random times just to be sure the horses know that this fence is not to be messed with. It seems to instill in them especially if they have been raised from babies with it, that fences are not to be challenged at all. I have a neighbour with one horse and 2 goats and they all live happily in their barbwire fence enclosure beside a very busy highway, the horse can also see her horse neighbours across the highway. She seems content though to stay with her goats and people.