Equine Fencing in Reigate and the Surrey Area
Covering all Locations Including Dorking and Redhill
When building equine fencing, choosing the correct installation is important to the safety and wellbeing of horses and should lend plenty of visual appeal. R.A.W. Groundworks, Fencing & Forestry supplies and erects fencing for equestrian builds including paddocks, sand schools, liveries, menages and racing yards. Our services fulfil the needs of veteran equestrians and those who have recently started to keep horses. We understand your priority is to build fencing designed around keeping your equine friends safe and secure.
Based in Reigate, we are a fencing, groundworks and landscaping company with experience in tree care, forestry and equestrian services. Choose us for services in Dorking, Redhill and all locations in the surrounding Surrey area.
Our team also specialises in equine groundworks.
Here, we look at different types of equine fencing so that you can make the best decision for you, for your horses, and for the land that you use.
Metal Chain Mesh Fences
This style of equine fencing is one typically used in enclosures which consist of posts and top rails made from timber with chain mesh to leave installations free from large gaps. Metal chain mesh fencing lacks some of the visual appeal of other choices but the mesh has a galvanised finish, so it requires little in terms of maintenance. This also makes it a safe long-term choice.
It is important to choose a mesh in a smaller size than your horse’s hooves to stop them from getting trapped and potentially causing an injury.
Post-and-Rail Fences
Supplied and installed as one of the most popular styles of equine fencing, a post-and-rail design combines aesthetics with functionality to deliver a safe form of containment. This fence has strong timber posts which we space out evenly before adding square, round or half-round horizontal rails. Post-and-rail fencing offers excellent visibility, so it minimises any feelings of restriction.
While strong enough to withstand the weight of leaning horses, the effects of chewing and scratching can cause damage, so we recommend lengths of electric fencing on the uppermost rail to resolve this common problem.
This fence requires maintenance to keep the timber in good condition.
Post-and-Wire Fences
Often used as an alternative to the timber post-and-rail style, this is another of our more attractive equine fencing installations. We use timber posts in much the same way but, instead of horizontal rails, our company uses high-tension wire so that horses can enjoy the feeling of freedom, but the fence still offers the vital containment you need. Ease of installation is a value-added benefit.
Because the wire can weaken from horses leaning on it, it must be fitted taut. Timber top rails with electric tape can help with visibility and containment.
Electric Fences
We would recommend this style of equine fencing as a low-cost choice for a paddock or for areas put aside for strip grazing. The fence uses thin electrical wires, insulated at ground level and powered by an energiser, to give horses a completely harmless (but difficult to forget) shock at a controlled voltage. This fence pulses once a second so horses soon learn to respect and avoid it.
While customisable, electric fences can’t be used as roadside boundaries. It is also a good idea to properly introduce your horses to this fencing.
The Height of Equine Fencing
R.A.W. Groundworks, Fencing & Forestry suggests that equestrian landowners in Surrey areas around Dorking, Redhill and Reigate have equine fencing built to heights of between 1.4m to 1.5m to deter horses from jumping over. It is always a great idea to consider the tendencies and behavioural patterns of your horses, and their disciplines, before reaching your final decision.
Breeds known for their jumping skills are better contained and safer when a fence has an increased height of between 1.5m and 1.85m.
Extra precautions would be needed for the safe containment of foals.
Maintaining Equine Fencing
Not all equine fencing will need maintenance but, if you have chosen to buy and erect in timber, remember that horses are curious and will often chew painted surfaces. To keep horses and livestock safe, always use a paint or a stain marked as non-toxic and safe for use around animals. Relocate horses to another paddock before painting to prevent respiratory irritations.
If you would rather use our company to maintain equine fencing, or to come out and repair it in the event of damage, we would be happy to oblige you.