Your horse’s safety depends on him being contained, whether it’s in a pasture or his stall. As a horse owner or barn manager, it is your responsibility to make sure that your horses are safely contained, and that they cannot easily escape. As spring cleaning arrives, make it a point to evaluate your property and consider the following tips for preventing your horses from escaping.

Consider Fence Height, Strength and Visibility

No fence will contain horses safely unless it is the appropriate height for your horse. Consider the types of horses that your fencing needs to hold – the fencing you need for Miniature Horses will be very different from the fence that will be needed to safely hold sport horse stallions. The fence’s height must be appropriate to discourage the horses from trying to jump out.

The visibility and strength of a fence are also important in preventing escapes. A highly visible fence will appear to be stronger and more solid to a horse, whereas he might more easily tangle with an electric wire fence which has little visibility. Whatever type of fence you use, check it regularly for breaks and damage.

Design Pasture Gates and Latches Carefully

The pasture gate and its latch also require attention. Use a strong pasture gate that closes securely. Make sure that any latches on the gates are positioned so that horses cannot access them. The latches themselves should also be horse-proof, preventing muzzles from being able to work them open.

Use a Quality Stall Door Latch

Your horse’s stall door latch should, like the pasture gate latches, be horse-proof. Since some determined horses seemingly magically outsmart horse-proof latches, you may want to install a second stall door latch further down the door and out of your horse’s reach. Always invest in a quality latch that is strong and durable.

Consider a Perimeter Fence

While you can make every effort to keep your horses safely contained, accidents do happen and horses do get loose. Installing a perimeter fence around your property can serve as a last chance to keep your horses on the property if they do escape their stalls or pastures. Entrance gates are available in a wide variety of styles, and can actually serve as a conversation point for your facility.

When it comes to keeping your horses safely contained, vigilance and regular maintenance are key. Knowing that your facilities are in good shape will give you peace of mind that you have done everything possible to keep your horses safe.

Photo Source: http://www.classic-equine.com/posts/entrance-gates/

Original Source: How to Keep Your Horse From Escaping

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