The saying that good fencing makes good neighbors holds particularly true when horses are involved. Loose horses bring with them trouble for everyone involved, but did you know that there’s more than your horse’s safety at stake when it comes to the integrity of your pasture fences?

Liability is a major concern when you own horses. In owning a horse, you are assuming responsibility for that horse’s actions. If your horse escapes his pasture, gets out and damages property, you are responsible for replacing that property. When this is just torn-up lawn, the damages may be fairly small.

But more frightening is a situation where your escaped horse causes more substantial property damage or – even worse – injures a person or someone’s pet. You can be held responsible for this damage and injury, and you can be sued for damages. These damages can be substantial, too – what if your loose horse caused a car accident that injured multiple people?

Having personal liability insurance can help protect you from having to pay out of your own pocket if you are sued. Remember that if a horse escapes as the result of poor fencing quality or poor maintenance, you can be found negligent in your efforts to keep your horse safely contained.

Lastly, escaped horses can quickly accumulate vet bills. Even if a horse doesn’t escape off the property, if he’s out on lush pasture or gains access to the feed room, an emergency call from the vet will almost certainly be necessary. Horses that escape off of the property are exposed to a host of dangerous situations.

So how can you keep your horse safe and your neighbors happy? Invest in a quality fencing that will keep your horse in his pasture, like Buckley’s Steel Board Fence. While Buckley’s Steel Board Fence is almost maintenance-free, you should always regularly maintain whatever type of fencing you use. You will also want to install pasture gates with latches, like Buckley’s EZ Latch, that are horse-proof and will keep even the most determined horses contained.

Consider installing a perimeter fence and gates around your property to keep your horses on the property even if they escape their individual pastures. And definitely make it a point to walk the pastures and the perimeter fencing regularly, and especially after harsh weather, to inspect them for weakened or broken areas.

The money that you might pay for vet bills or damages caused by an escaped horse is money that can be better spent by investing in strong, quality fencing. This investment will help to keep your horses safe and your neighbors happy, while also increasing the value of your property.

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/jrubinic/2258105197

Original Source: http://www.buckleyfence.com/horse-fencing-information/good-fencing-means-good-neighbors/