This guide to horse fencing will assist you in comparing this fence type to those covered in our other guides such as shadowbox, chain link, aluminum, wrought iron or split rail fencing cost guide. We include cost of horse fencing, fence style and options, so you can research all the important information in one area. Want to know the cost of horse fencing? This guide has been written to help you understand the prices, details and styles available for all major types of horse fencing.
| Horse Fence Cost for a 164 Linear Foot Project | |
| Low Cost | $574 – $1312 |
| Medium Cost | $1476 – $2952 |
| High Cost | $3116 – $4920 |
| Average Cost | $1200 – $2500 |
Compare Horse Fencing Prices with Other Fence Types
Horse fencing turns open ground into a corral where horses can be safely pastured. Aesthetically, wood or brown vinyl/PVC horse fence 
creates the rustic feel of a ranch. White horse fencing gives the property the appearance of an estate where horses are part of a comfortable, leisurely lifestyle. If you’re primary concern is to have an affordable and practical barrier for your animals, then wire mesh horse fencing is a very good choice.
Also called ranch fencing, horse fencing is available in several heights and styles with a range of accessories, so you can customize the look you want for your property.
Jump: Cost of Horse Fence | Details & Style | Ideas
How Much is the Cost of Horse Fencing?
Horse and ranch fence covers the price range from affordable to fairly expensive depending on the material. The initial cost of horse fencing made form PVC/vinyl is quite a bit higher than the cost of wood. However, the ongoing maintenance costs of vinyl are minimal while wood requires moderate maintenance and costs for repair and painting or staining.
Here are the costs for the materials we’ve mentioned in terms of linear feet:
- Wire mesh and post horse/ranch fencing: $1.50-$4.00
- Wood horse/ranch fencing: $8.00-$12.00
- Vinyl horse/ranch fencing: $15.00-$22.00
Let’s take those material costs and turn them into the kinds of estimates you’ll see when you get bids from local fencing contractors. We base the estimates on 164 linear feet of fence for each fence type, and this makes comparing prices easier on our site.
Table 1: Comparison for Cost of Horse Fencing
| Fence Type | Cost Of Materials (including 1 gate) | Installation Cost | Total Project Cost | Cost Per Linear Foot |
| Wire Mesh Ranch & Horse Fence | $246-$656 | $328-$648 | $564-$1304 | $3.50-$8.00 |
| Wood Ranch & Horse Fence | $1312-$1968 | $615-$820 | $1917-$2798 | $11.70-$17.00 |
| PVC/Vinyl Ranch & Horse Fence | $2460-$3608 | $768-$984 | $2228-$4592 | $13.60-$28.00 |
Table 2: A Price Comparison of Horse Fencing Costs from Around the Web
| Company | Cost Per Linear Foot | Total Project Cost |
| Remodeling Expense | $17 – $24 | $2788 – $3936 |
| Fence Guides | $4 – $ 28 | $656 – $4592 |
| Home Advisor | $8 – $28 | $224 – $4592 |
| Home Guide | $15 – $30 | $2460 – $4920 |
| Note: Our pricing data are carefully calculated from industry averages as well as submissions from our own readers. This allows us to provide you with the best idea of the likely cost for your fence project. The above data is costed on an average of 164 linear foot. If you have a price we’re missing from our price comparison then please submit it on our price submission page for display above. | ||
Factors Which Affect the Cost of a Horse Fence
- Type of Fence – The type of fence you choose will affect the cost. Generally, horse fencing will either be a wire mesh fence or a split rail / post and rail fence. Out of these two wire mesh fences are the cheapest to supply, install and maintain, however they are also the weakest and the least aesthetically pleasing. Split rail and post & rail fencing are both good long term options for horse fence but they will both cost more, often costing around $20 per linear foot, compared with $5 per linear foot for wire fencing.
- Fence Material – It’s worth keeping in mind that even within post & rail / split rail fencing there will be big price variations, largely depending on the material it’s made from. In general your options will include cedar wood, pine wood and vinyl. Out of these, vinyl is one of the most expensive but it’s also one with the lowest maintenance requirements. With wood fencing cedar will always cost more than pine when you compare both types of wood, but usually gives much longer warranties of 20-25 years, in comparison to 10-15 years for pine.
- Length of Fence Required – An obvious factor but also an important one. As fencing and labor is priced up per linear foot, the more you need the more it will cost you.
- Height of the Fence – How high does your fence need to be? For horse fencing you will usually need a height of at least 5 f.t. to be effective, obviously buying a 3 or 4 f.t. fence will save you money but may not hold the horses in the paddock.
- The Lie of the Land – Horse paddocks and grazing land is not known for it’s quality, it’s often hard under foot and often undulating. It’s for both of these reasons that land preparation such as digging holes and flattening out areas suitable for fence installation, will cost more than usual. So, if the land is hard to work, expect to pay more in labor.
- DIY / Pro – By installing your own fence you will be able to save between $400 and $1000 for a 164 linear foot project, however it will most likely take you much longer unless you’re used to installing fencing.
Considerations for Installation
If you have experience with digging holes, setting posts straight and at a uniform height, you can probably install your own horse fence. You’ll save the typical $3-$6 per linear foot it costs to hire someone else for the installation.
A post hole digger will make the work go much more quickly. In warm weather, if the soil is clay, renting a powered post hole digger will greatly reduce time and effort while slightly increasing your cost. If you rent a machine, be efficient by only digging the holes before returning it. Set posts with concrete, and use a level to make sure that they are straight and of the same height.
Horse Fence Style, Details and Usage
Post and rail horse fence is available in unfinished and finished wood as well as other materials. Unfinished wood costs the least, but the labor cost to paint or stain it might make it more expensive than prefinished fence. PVC vinyl ranch fence is available in white and colors that mimic wood. Some premium fencing is embossed with wood grain to achieve the look of painted wood. Most wood and vinyl horse fence manufacturers make a variety of post caps to create the finished look you desire.
Wood and vinyl ranch fence comes in several heights usually called two-rail, three-rail and four-rail fence and ranging in height from about 3’ to 5’, depending on the height of the posts used and how far they’re sunk into the ground.
Wire horse fence is available in coated and non-coated galvanized material. For posts, you can use steel ranch fence posts, pressure-treated posts or cedar posts for the look and cost that fits your requirements.
Wood and PVC horse fence is suitable for horses and cattle, and it gives the property a domesticated ambience, whether rustic (stained wood and wood-like PVC) or upscale (white-painted wood or white PVC).
Wire mesh horse and ranch fence isn’t chosen for looks as much as for its practical benefits. It works for horses, cattle, alpacas, lamas, dogs, poultry and similar animals. It will keep children where you can keep an eye on them too.
Horse Fence Ideas on Our Pinterest Page
