Horses are still often contained inside traditional wooden post fences.
Although the poet Robert Frost wrote that good fences make good neighbors, he failed to mention that fences are also very useful when trying to keep animals contained to a specific area. The size and type of animal in question will determine the kind of fence that would be most useful and safe. Does this Spark an idea?
Electric
Invisible electric fences keep dogs contained to an area by transmitting an electrical shock through a special collar.
Electric fencing is used often to keep household dogs from straying into the neighborhood. It is installed underground, rendering it invisible. The dog's owner must place a special collar on the pet so that when it nears the edge of the property it receives a slight electrical shock that is not harmful. This type of fencing is generally the most expensive and comes with its share of controversy. For example, the Dog Owner's Guide website points out that, while it keeps the household dog inside the yard, it does not keep people and other dogs out of the yard, "leaving small dogs vulnerable to attacks by larger ones and exposing all dogs to potential teasing."
Wooden
Wooden fences keep horses safe on the farm and dogs safe in their backyard.
Traditional wooden fences are appropriate for containing horses to farms and pastures and are built of horizontal wood posts spaced about eight feet apart and connected by wooden planks. They can also be used to keep a domestic dog inside its property while simultaneously adding a bit of nostalgia to the home in terms of the white picket fence cliche. According to the AB Custom Fencing website, wooden fences are also a good choice for pens or corrals for other types of livestock, including pigs. Several different forms of wood can be used and a multitude of design patterns can be crafted based on aesthetic preference, budget and animal.
Wire
Barbed wire fences are often used to keep cattle safe on the farm.
Barbed, woven or smooth wire fencing is frequently used in pastures for containing cattle and horses. Although barbed wire can be dangerous because of the sharp barbs that surround the wires, the Curators of the University of Missouri website says it is often used to prevent large animals from leaning over and breaking down the fence and to prevent smaller animals from digging under the fence. Barbed wire is one of the least expensive fencing materials and is sold in rolls in various patterns and sizes. Woven wire fencing is also frequently used for containing cattle but, according to the Penrod Lumber & Fence Company website, it can also be used in conjunction with board fencing to create a barrier for large domestic pets. The woven wires can be customized to create openings of various shape and size to run across the entire fence. Smooth wire fences are designed to be very sturdy because the wire is pulled so taut that it can resist high amounts of tension. Although animals can still rub up against this type of fencing, the wire is usually too strong for them to break through.
Tags: also used, animals from, containing cattle, electrical shock, fences also, fences keep, frequently used
