Portable Fencing For Horses: Top Three Picks!

Last Updated on July 2, 2022 by Guillermina

Getting the best portable fencing for horses is necessary if you’re traveling a lot. It will help keep your horses safe!

In this article, I share the best type of portable fencing options and list the pros and cons of each. 

The Top Three Best Portable Fencing for Horses

There are many different forms of efficient horse fencing, but there is no such thing as the “best” fence. Each form of fencing has its own set of limitations. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most loved fences for horses!

Portable Corals

Portable corals are relatively solid and dependable. They’re usually made from lightweight metal or plastic pipes. They disassemble into parts you can easily store on or in your trailer or truck.

Portable corrals are the most expensive containment option available to trail riders.

Portable Corals Pros

Portable corals have high visibility, a relatively sturdy structural nature, and the option of adding enough panels to have a pen with ample space for mobility, casual grazing, and rest. 

You can easily relocate the panels to a new grazing field. Many corals use brackets to attach to trailers, extending their perimeter.

Portable Corals Cons

Portable corals are not entirely secure. Your horse may discover that they can move the entire pen by themself to get to a new grazing area. 

An overly excited or spooked horse can trap a leg in the tubing and pull the pen over. 

Because mobile fence panels are too large to pack, they can only be used in areas accessible by vehicle.

Portable Electric Fencing

Portable electric fencing is usually sold in complete kits, including a carrying bag. These fencing kits typically include temporary fence posts made of fiberglass rods. They’re light and practical but might not remain firmly in sandy or wet soil, so consider your camping ground before choosing this option.

Portable Electric Fencing Pros

Portable electric fencing is pretty affordable, can be transported by horseback, and can define a relatively large area with a minimal amount of material.

Portable Electric Fencing Cons

Deer and elk, for example, frequently run right through electric fencing. A frightened horse will also rush through it. Take the time to train your horse with electric fencing at home so that they learn to respect it even when frightened.

Also, note that the battery can be heavy, so keep this in mind when deciding which one to buy if you’re packing in.

Hobbles

Hobbling is a time-honored and low-cost method of containing a horse. Tying two or more of a horse’s legs together disrupts normal strides and may almost trip a horse that doesn’t stand still or takes really small steps.

Hobbling can be an excellent way to keep horses near camp during overnight trips.

Hobbles Pros

Packing hobbles is as simple as securing a belt to your rig, and the extra weight on the pack is negligible. 

Hobbles are especially useful in areas where there is nothing to bind a horse to, and they’re helpful for short periods of containment almost anywhere.

Your horse can roam and graze over a much larger area.

Hobbles Cons

If you want to hobble your horse, you should train them to accept the hobbles safely before hitting the trail.

Another disadvantage is that while tying the front feet together effectively interrupts regular travel at a walk and trot, it doesn’t interfere with a horse’s stride when both front feet travel together, so train your horse to also accept a hobbled hind foot. 

The Advantages Of Portable Fencing For Horses

• Portable fencing is less expensive to purchase and install than traditional fencing.
• These fences are simple to assemble and disassemble as needed – unlike traditional fencing, which is grounded and permanent.
• Horses are easily trained to an electric fence because they are domesticated animals and are content to live in the confines of their home pasture near food and water.
• Horse riders who travel with their horses to sporting events frequently employ portable fencing. While at a show, a portable fence will allow your horse to graze freely, which is especially handy for endurance riders who may camp with their horses overnight.
• Portable fencing is a great way to not only keep horses inside of a particular area but also keep horses out of a specific one.

Do Horses Like To Be Fenced In?

Domesticated horses have no problem being fenced in. In fact, they prefer the familiarity of their fields to the unfamiliarity beyond the pasture fences. In general, horses become very attached to their owners if treated well and properly cared for.  

If your domesticated horse tries to escape their enclosure, you will need to find the reason for this behavior. It could be any one of the following:

• Boredom
• Loneliness
• Anxiety
• Grazing problems
• Inadequate fencing 

If your horse is still wild, they won’t like being fenced in. 

In Conclusion

Always having a portable fencing system for your horses on hand is a good idea. You might need it to relocate your horses, rejuvenate your fields, or keep your horses near camp while traveling.

I hope you found the lists in this article helpful. You can ask any additional questions you have about portable horse fences in the comments. If you’re using a solution not listed here, you can also share it!

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