Kiley, Lisa: Farm Gates

By Lisa Kiley | https://www.cashmans.com/

A fence is only as good as its weakest point, but unfortunately many people will invest in great fence and then skimp on the quality of the gates they are using. Gates are often a gathering point for horses and can be one of the most stressed areas of the fence. This means that it is important that gates are strong, durable and properly hung in order to make them safe for you and your horse. Material – while you can construct a fence from wood or make an extension of the wire fence adding gate handles, by far, the most common gates are tubular gates made of metal. When looking for a tube gate, there are a few things you should pay attention to. First, the weight of the gate – the heavier the gate, the stronger it will be. A very light gate can be dangerous for your horse because they are strong enough to push right through it. Secondly, the diameter of the tubing should be 1-3/4”; this will also add to the strength of the gate. Over time, all metal gates will have some rust, but a heavier gate will stand the test of time and opting for a hot dipped galvanized version will last even longer.

Sizing – If you have the advantage of setting your gate while building your fencing, you have a choice in what size the gate will be. A gate that is 10'-12' is usually the best option, because it is big enough to fit most tractors/trucks through, but it is not so big that it is hard to manage on a daily basis. If access is needed for larger equipment, you may want to consider adding a smaller gate for dayto-day use. If you will be leading horses through a 'man' gate, 4' is as small as you will want to go, but 5' or 6' is better. Typically, gates come in even increments starting at 4' going up to 20', but if you have an odd space to fill, you can order custom gates to fit the space, you just want to allow extra time for these gates to be made. Shape – There are a couple things to consider when it comes to the shape of a gate and they both make a difference in safety for your horse. First, while there are many gates out there with rounded corners, it is important to know that rounded corners do pose a risk that the horse could get a hoof caught in the gapping between the rounded corner and the post, so when choosing a gate, it is best to look for square corner gates that will fit snuggly against the post, posing less of a risk that a hoof could get caught. Similarly, look for gates that have vertical braces rather than diagonal braces, which can have areas where a hoof could get caught. This also goes for wire filled gates, make sure that the wire filling is not a size that could find horse hooves caught in between, 2”x4” openings are considered to be horse safe.

Installation – For long term durability, gates need to be attached to strong posts. This means treating the post you use for gates as anchors. Typically, a 6” round post is sufficient and as far as length goes, it should be 2.6', but you can opt for 3' depending on frost line or if the gate is 16' or longer. Keep the gates snug to the post to prevent gaps. A common mistake is placing the hinges with both facing up, if you do this, the horse will usually figure out how to lift the gate off the hinges. Hinges should face each other to ensure the gate will stay attached to the post. Gates should be hung up off the ground and need to be as tall as the horse fence to ensure safety.

Placement & Functionality – Placing a gate in a corner can save on materials if you are using the corner post to anchor the gate, however making sure that this is safe for your horses is important to consider. Gates placed in corners can have the unintended consequence of trapping horses and can become dangerous for both the horses and the person trying to move them. For this reason, you may want to place gates at the mid-point of the fence line. Additionally, the way the gate swings can also come down to safety and preference. Gates should swing inward without obstruction into the herd, rather than outward, which could allow the horses to learn to push against the gate and be a hazard for trampling the handler. However, if the gates are interior and are used for moving equipment through or opening different sections of pasture, having the gate swing both ways can be advantageous. Accessories – Proper latches for a gate are very important. Ideally, you should be able to unlock, swing the gate open and latch the gate closed with only one hand. This allows you to be able to open and close the gate safely with your horse in tow. When it comes to larger gates, sagging can be an issue. Gate wheels can help prevent sagging and make larger gates easier to swing open and shut. Similarly, if you have gates that are meeting in the middle, adding a gate anchor can help keep the gate in place and prevent sagging overtime. Since gates areas tend to be the busiest spot in the pasture, adding footing that drains well and implementing mud solutions can make a big difference in issues with mud through the season. It is also recommended that water troughs and feeding stations be kept away from gate areas. The Final Word – Moving horses in and out through gates is much easier when horses are well behaved and respectful of their handlers. Take the time to work with your horses regularly to make sure that they are easy to handle when it comes to gate manners. They should be able to remain calm on the lead rope, stop, back and turn away from light pressure. If your horse is difficult to manage on the ground and you are having trouble, it may be time to consult a trusted trainer before it becomes a dangerous situation. Lisa Kiley is a horse enthusiast who has worked in the equine industry and shown horses for many years. She is also a proud member of the Cashman’s Horse Equipment Team in Delaware, Ohio. Cashman’s Horse Equipment proudly provides top quality products to the equine and agricultural community, with a commitment to sourcing environmentally conscious merchandise and items made in the U.S.A. For more info please visit them online at: https://www.cashmans.com/

Lisa Kiley, and her horse Cotton