Vinyl Horse Fence

Tips To Get The Best Vinyl Horse Fence

For centuries, split rail fences have been found all across America.  Split rail fence is also referred to as horse fence.  And while horse fence may sound like a fence that is used primarily for containing horses, it is most often used to mark boundary lines or add a decorative element to a yard.  Believe it or not, vinyl fence, at the onset of its use, was used primarily to keep horses from cribbing.  Vinyl, also known as PVC, can be very durable and and resistant to splitting and cracking, even in very cold weather.  The degree of durability depends on the composition of the vinyl.

Vinyl horse fence, if it is to be used to contain horses, is available in several heights and configurations.  The fence can have two, three, four or five rails and can be as tall as 54 inches.  All posts should be 5 x 5 square.  Avoid using 4 x 4 posts, which is a thinner material and will not provide maximum strength and durability.  All the rails should be routed into the post and secured using a fastener or notching system that prevents the rails from slipping out.  To ensure that the top rail will not slide out, a screw can be drilled into the rail inside the post.  A very unique and gorgeous vinyl horse fence style is called the crossbuck.  It has a criss-cross pattern that deviates from the traditional style.  It is incredibly beautiful and adds a touch of elegance to the property.

All posts for a vinyl horse fence should be set 36" below grade and cemented in 80 pounds of concrete.  The concrete should be poured around the outside of the base of the fence post.  To reduce the risk of heaving fence posts, cut a hole in two sides of the post 12 inches from the bottom.  Depending on the level of dryness of the ground, it may take up to four weeks for the concrete to completely harden.  This will be beneficial for the client, because they will be able to adjust the height of the fence until it is acceptable.  A vinyl horse fence does not need metal post stiffeners, except in the gate posts.  Without stiffeners in the gate posts, the fasteners that hold the hinges in place will pull out over time resulting in a sagging gate.  A sagging gate is a nuisance and will not latch properly.