Fencing

It's not true, what the manufacturer's of welded-wire fencing companies say about their product. Its supposed to be "ideal" for small livestock, re: goats, sheep, calves, etc. They're wrong.  The people who make and sell the product, can't possibly have ever had small livestock of their own, or tried to contain small livestock with their product in some sort of a "sample" study. They especially never tried it out on goat bucks. Yuri, the now bane of our farm, could be their test subject. First of all he realized that heavy metal gates can be lifted off their hinges if he put his head between the bars and gives a big shove, and, once knocked off, he merely steps over.  In response, all of the gates were wired at the hinges.  Then he figured out that if he merely pushed his head hard enough, against the fencing itself, his head would push right through and out the other side - and if he keeps pushing hard enough, his entire body, eventually, will make all of the weld-joints snap apart ... like dry spaghetti noodles... Yuri is now tied within the paddock fence, a sure distance from all of the paddock fencing.

Another thing the manufacturer doesn't tell you, is that their product only works if the "small livestock" don't ever put their feet on the fence, stand up or lean against the fence, or, so it seems ... look at the fence with hatred - all of these seem to make the "welded" wire instantly snap apart. My advice to small farmers?  Just say "no" to welded wire fencing  - go with brick - about 10-feet tall, to be safe.

Then there are the horses.  The horses look at a fence and accept the fact that the fence will keep them in.  However, on occasion, there's a gap in the fence. This week it was the area where the fence attaches to their shed. For some reason it was entirely detached on Tuesday morning, and the horses grazing contentedly in the way backyard. (My theory is that an itchy horse's butt was involved). Which, in and of itself, really isn't a big deal.  What becomes the big deal is the little game we have to play, "catch me if you can", before they ultimately go back in on their own. That's the big pain-in-the-butt for their human care taker. Luckily it didn't take long this time. If I don't chase, they get bored and walk right in.

What's crazy about fencing, is that no matter how much you spend to put it up, how high you make it, or how many gates you install, someone, somehow, always finds a way out.