While spring is a time for cleaning, fall is a time for fixing! Anyone with a farm or ranch understands the pressures that come with prepping for winter, so take advantage of the remaining months and fix up your fence now.
Here are three things to look for when doing your fall fence fix up...
Spark.
Electric fencing adds a psychological deterrent beyond just a physical barrier and can easily be added to any existing fence. Electrifying your fence means less direct physical contact from animals, and therefore, less fixing.
Checking the voltage frequently ensures your fence is operating properly. The most common electric fence issues are missing or damaged insulators, unintended contact causing grounding, and natural occurrences like fallen trees and branches. Make a habit of carrying a fence tester or fault finder with you to make tracking down issues quick and easy.
Safety.
Safety is one aspect that should always be considered, especially with horses. Taking a lap around your fence can help you find hazards, like holes in woven wire, sharp edges on hardware, loose screws, or brace wires that could become hoof traps.
No one enjoys seeing a horse injured or caught in a fence. Those mishaps are easily avoidable with maintenance. Minimize potential hazards with proper fence upkeep, it may take time, but it’s less expensive than a vet bill!
Slack.
One of the most important characteristics of a safe fence is tension. A properly tensioned fence is a safe fence. A tight fence will eliminate half of the unfortunate outcomes. Whether you use electric tape, rope, coated wire, or woven wire, every material has an ideal tension it is designed for. Proper tension allows the material to perform as intended. Just as with fence testers, carry a tensioning tool with you so you can add tension on the spot.
Learn more at kencove.com.