When it comes to safely enclosing your horses in a paddock, choosing the right fence gate is important. You want the safest, the strongest, the best, the easiest to maintain and of course, it should be functional and good-looking as well. However, with so many fence gate options available it&#;s tough to know which gate would perfectly match your needs, your vision and your budget.
At Stock & Noble, we provide the finest fencing solutions to high-end property owners across Australia and New Zealand. The products we feature are carefully chosen based on their proven success in the equestrian world and high horse safety standards. Our fence gates are no exception.&#;&#;Marbo Equine Gates&#;and&#;Premium Steel Post and Rail gates&#;are an important part of our product portfolio. We stand by the superior quality of our fencing solutions; however, we understand that they might not be perfect for every property owner.
We have years of experience in helping our clients build safe and beautiful equine properties with premium fencing and gates.&#;In this blog, we will compare the top horse paddock gates based on critical factors that are integral to horse safety and property management. In the end, you will have all the information needed to evaluate the fence gate for your equine property and make the right decision.&#;
Before diving into the details, it&#;s essential to clarify that we&#;re exclusively discussing fence gates suitable for securing horses in paddocks. We won&#;t be addressing general farm gates designed for cattle or sheep. Additionally, timber gates, which are often chosen for aesthetic reasons, are not within the scope of this discussion.&#;
Types of Fence Gates for Horse Paddocks
In Australia, property owners have 4 key options when it comes to choosing fence gates for their horse paddocks:
1. General Horse Mesh Steel Gates
These gates are manufactured by various companies, offering a range of designs and specifications.
2. Equine Gates by Duncan Equine
Duncan Equine specialises in&#;equine-specific fence gates, tailored to the unique needs of horse paddocks.
3. Marbo Equine Gate by Stock & Noble
The&#;Marbo Equine Gate, offered by Stock and Noble, is another specific equine option known for its durability and functionality.
4. Premium Welded Hingeless Rail Gate by Stock & Noble
Stock & Noble also provides a&#;premium fence gate option, known for its innovative hingeless design.
If you want, you can learn all about the&#;features and design of Premium Steel post and Rail gates.
Critical Factors for Fence Gate Selection
When choosing a fence gate for your equine property, especially paddocks it&#;s crucial to evaluate several key factors. This is a checklist that will come in handy as you evaluate the features and design of different types of paddock gates.
Factor #1: The structure or frame of the horse paddock gate
&#;
Strong, but not too strong.
It&#;s nearly impossible to overemphasize the importance of gate strength. The gate must be robust enough to effectively contain the animals within the paddock. Interestingly, some prominent horse stud owners intentionally opt for gates with smaller, thinner frames as a safety precaution. The rationale behind this choice is quite intriguing: if a horse runs into the gate with full force, a gate designed to yield can be beneficial. It allows the gate to give way, reducing the risk of injury to the horse compared to an excessively rigid gate that doesn&#;t yield.
So, when discussing gate frames, it&#;s all about striking the right balance &#; strong enough to do the job effectively, but not so rigid that it poses a hazard.
Look for the raised edge.
Additionally, for safety reasons, it&#;s crucial to examine how the frame is designed around the hinge area. Does it curve down to work against a horse&#;s leg sliding along the top of the gate and down into the hinge trap?
The company is the world’s best custom hinge joint fence supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.
Explore more:Buyer's Guide to Choosing A Cantilever Sliding GateCheck Welded Gate Joints
Furthermore, attention should be given to the quality of the gate&#;s joints. A gate is subjected to considerable pressure, particularly in an equine environment. Regrettably, some gate manufacturers cut corners in this regard, failing to provide fully welded joints.
Over time, this deficiency can lead to the gate developing cracks and falling apart Therefore, ensuring that all joints are fully welded is a critical aspect of gate selection and maintenance.
Factor #2: Inner Fill Material and Aperture Size
Most fence gates incorporate a welded steel mesh inner fill. However, the size of the mesh can vary. Gates with larger gaps are often more affordable but may not be as safe for horses or suitable if you have smaller animals or need to prevent them from escaping.
Consider whether you can add mesh to existing fence gates if needed. For instance, Buckley Steel fence gates have the provision of adding mesh to keep the smaller animals enclosed. It&#;ll be worth digging deeper into&#;how to attach mesh to Premium Steel Post and Rail gates.
Factor #3: Fence Gate Sizes
Fence gate sizes can vary between manufacturers. Some offer up to eight different sizes, while others have a more limited range. So, the choice would depend on whether your required gate size is available or not.
Also, consider the gate&#;s height and its compatibility with your fencing system.
Factor #4: Hinges and Latches Compatibility
When considering a horse paddock gate for your equine property, it&#;s good to assess the type of hinges and latches included with the gate or those that can be used with it.
Post Attachment Compatibility
A key aspect to consider is how these hinges and latches will attach to the posts of your fence system. Ensuring they are compatible with your specific post material is essential for the gate&#;s functionality and longevity.
For instance, if your fence posts are constructed from treated pine, you&#;ll need hinges and latches that can be securely drilled into the pine post. This method ensures a stable and reliable connection.
Conversely, if your posts are made of steel, the hinges should be welded or bolted onto the post for maximum strength and durability.
Hinge Systems like the Buckley
It&#;s also worth noting that there are innovative systems, such as the Stock & Noble Premium Steel Post and Rail, which offers a hingeless design. In this configuration, gates are engineered to eliminate the common problem of sagging over time. The absence of traditional hinges ensures that the gate remains consistently level and operational, which can be particularly beneficial in equine environments.
Factor #5: Application
Consider the intended use of the fence gate&#;whether it&#;s for an arena, paddock, or day yard. Different situations may require different gate features.
Factor #6: Other considerations
Additional considerations include the weight of the fence gate and whether your strainer posts can support it. Heavy gates can pull your strainer posts over, leading to safety concerns.
Some fence gate packages, such as those offered by Buckley, include specialised mounting posts designed to handle the gate&#;s weight for decades.
Factor #7: Aesthetics and Longevity
Think about the gate&#;s aesthetics, colour, and longevity in the context of your entire fencing system. These factors contribute to the overall appearance and durability of your property.
Feature-based Comparison of different fence gates for Horse Paddocks
Based on the critical factors listed above, here&#;s a comparison chart to give you an overview of how each gate compares to each other.
You can tick your checklist with the features offered by these fence gates and choose the one that fits your requirements.
Ready to choose the perfect horse paddock gate for your equine property?
You wanted to know which fence gate would be ideal for your horse paddocks. Now you have all the information needed to compare the 4 fence gates specially designed for equine purposes.
You&#;ve also learnt that considering factors like frame strength, inner fill material, gate size, hinges, and application, is essential for the safety and security of your horses. So, take the time to evaluate your options carefully, keeping in mind that the right fence gate can make a world of difference in ensuring the safety of your animals and managing your equine property effectively.
In summary, when it comes to fence gates for horse properties, the cheapest option is not always the best. Gate selection should align with your specific needs, whether it&#;s a day yard or a larger paddock. Investing in a well-built, safe fence gate is crucial, as gates are the only moving part of your entire fencing system and can significantly impact maintenance and overall property experience.
Premium Steel Post and Rail gates are some of the most expensive fence gates, but are they worth the investment?&#;Find out the reasons why Stock and Noble charges a premium price for their fence gates.
If you have any more questions on the design, functionality, cost or installation of fence gates for your horse paddocks, connect with our fencing experts. They will guide you with fact-based answers and industry insights to help make the right decision to create a safe and beautiful property, just the way you imagined.
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