Sturdy, secure fencing is a vital addition to any horse paddock, pasture, or enclosure, and for many years timber fencing was the go-to solution. However, after years of use and exposure, even the most well-maintained wooden horse fencing will eventually succumb to rot and decay.
If you are looking to replace rotten wooden horse fencing on your land, there is a modern alternative — vinyl. Horse fencing made from vinyl has a number of key advantages over traditional timber and may be the perfect addition to your equestrian environment.
Why Choose Vinyl When Replacing Rotten Wooden Horse Fencing?
Immune To Rot
Wooden horse fencing becomes rotten chiefly because of exposure to moisture. Rain and snow can provoke rot, but moisture drawn up from the earth is also a big factor if any part of the fence comes into contact with bare earth. Horse urine and manure can also cause rot on posts and lower crossbeams. Stains and surface treatments can prolong the lifespan of your fence for years, but not indefinitely.
Vinyl fencing is completely immune to rot. Superficial surface mold may grow on its surface during wet conditions, but this can be removed easily using a hosepipe or pressure washer. With no rot to worry about, a vinyl horse fence can last for years longer than the best wooden fences, saving you a considerable amount of money long-term.
Low Maintenance Requirements
Vinyl horse fencing isn't just immune to rot. It also shrugs off termites and other wood-boring insects and is less likely to fade and crack because of exposure to UV sunlight. Many vinyl fencing products also have all-vinyl construction, with no metal nails, screws, or fasteners. These fences are immune to the fastener corrosion that causes many wooden fences to fall apart.
This all-round durability means that vinyl horse fences require very little maintenance over their long lives, saving you time and money.
Discourages Chewing And Cribbing
Some horses have a tendency to chew on wooden fencing, especially when they are confined to paddocks for long periods. They can also exhibit cribbing (also known as wind-sucking), where the horse bites down hard on a section of fencing and inhales sharply. The strong, powerful jaws and teeth of an average horse can do severe damage to any wooden fence subjected to chewing and cribbing.
If any of your horses chew or crib fences, you should look into changing your nutrition and stable management practices, but installing a bite-resistant fence can also be a big help. Horses find vinyl fencing distinctly unpalatable and are much less likely to chew or bite it than vinyl fencing.
Even if your horses do continue to chew and/or crib, vinyl fencing is a safer option. Horses can ingest wood splinters while chewing and cribbing, which can cause colic and other serious gastrointestinal problems. Vinyl horse fencing does not splinter when damaged.
For more information on a vinyl fence installation, contact a professional near you.
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