How to assess the risk of escape or injury on your farm

Running a professional horse farm is an epic mission: between unloading hay, vet visits, and energetic foals, fence safety can take a back seat. But trust me, the fence isn’t just a boundary line: it’s the barrier between normalcy and a night spent searching for horses in the middle of the countryside. And yes, it happens more often than you might think.

Start with a simple observation: what could go wrong?

The first thing to do is not to open your wallet, but to open your eyes. Walk around your farm as if you were one of your horses: look at where the gaps are, the blind spots, the tight corners and the turns too close to the fences. Horses, as you know, are curious, strong and sometimes incredibly stubborn creatures. Ask yourself: if a frightened horse started to run wildly, where would it hit first? This mental exercise may seem exaggerated to you, but it is most useful for identifying critical points that you would otherwise ignore. Also, assess the natural wear and tear on the fence: posts moving, netting bending, screws sticking out–these are all small signs not to be underestimated. A sturdy fence today may not necessarily hold up six months from now, especially with growing horses or horses in full sport training.

Recognize “soft” signals before they become emergencies

The horse rarely emails you to say, “Hey, I’m about to smash everything and run,” but his body communicates this. If you notice nervous behavior near a particular stretch of fence, there may be something wrong: a noise you don’t realize you hear, an area that is too closed off, or an object out of place. Horses are intelligent animals and tend to remember weak spots, especially if they once managed to pass through or got spooked nearby. If you see that a horse always approaches the same spot with a “suspicious” attitude, take it as a warning. Also, if one of your horses shows recurring superficial wounds on its legs or head, it may be interacting too much with the fence, perhaps scratching or trying to lean out. These micro-signals need to be interpreted and turned into concrete actions-don’t wait until there is a serious injury to intervene.

Materials and modularity: assess risk even at the design stage

The risk of escape or injury does not just arise from poor maintenance-it can be the child of poor initial choice. If you are designing a new area or expanding your herd, choose materials that match the personality of your horses and the type of management you use. Do you have particularly lively stallions or foals? Perhaps you should avoid fences that are too low or light. Do you have horses that are used to being together? Then be careful about creating dead corners where they can fight or get stuck. Every design decision has practical consequences. In addition, the modularity of fencing allows you to adapt the space over time. This is critical if you have varying numbers of horses or participate in breeding programs. A well-made modular fence can be disassembled and relocated without damaging the structure or compromising safety.

Do maintenance in the same spirit with which you care for a horse

Everyone loves to clean a nice shiny coat or fix a crooked iron, but then they forget about the bolts that hold the paddock up. A good rule of thumb is to treat the fence as a living part of the farm, on a par with the animals and machinery. Create a monthly checklist: check the integrity of the poles, welds (if any), any rusting or failure of joint parts. Take photos before and after interventions: they will help you keep track of progress and understand where you are most at risk over time. Don’t wait to hear the “clack” of cracking wood or the sound of escaping hooves in the middle of the night. Prevention costs less, makes you sleep better and keeps your facility’s level of professionalism high.  

Modularity and maintenance: what to know in advance

If you are designing a new horse corral or thinking of renovating your old one, there is one magic word you need to learn right away: modularity. It saves your life, your wallet and even your back. But beware: modularity and maintenance go hand in hand. If a fence is modular but impossible to fix, you just have a giant puzzle that will waste your time. In this article I explain everything you should know before buying or installing a fence system, so you don’t find yourself cursing at a broken post in the middle of nowhere.

Modularity: more freedom today, fewer problems tomorrow

Imagine a paddock that you can dismantle, move, lengthen or shorten as you like, depending on how the herd changes. Maybe today you have ten horses, but tomorrow it could become fifteen or maybe seven, and you no longer need the paddock there but two hundred meters away. If you have chosen a modular system, all this is possible without bringing in half a team of workers or spending capital. The beauty of modularity is that it allows you to adapt to change. Whether it’s a new batch of horses, a logistical need or a sporting event, a modular corral follows you. It doesn’t hold you back. Most importantly, it doesn’t force you to pick up the pickaxe every time you want to make a change. When choosing the type of module, always consider how easy it is to handle, disassemble and reassemble. Some look modular on paper but then require F1 mechanic’s tools. Look for structures that connect easily, with joints that are secure but accessible even to nonprofessional hands.

Easy maintenance = zero headaches

A fence may be the most beautiful fence in the world, but if you need a locksmith every time something breaks, you are not working sustainably. Maintenance should be simple, quick, and possibly manageable on your own. This means: replaceable components, durable but not esoteric materials, and instructions that can be understood even without an engineering degree. Think about the posts: they are the backbone of your fence. If they break easily or are difficult to replace, they will become a thorn for you as well. Same with joints or modular panels: if a piece gets damaged, you need to be able to remove it without dismantling half your fence. A good practice is to create a small first aid kit for your fence: gloves, pliers, a few spare parts, straps, screws, hammer, and a little goodwill. This allows you to act on small repairs right away, without having to call for help for every minimal problem. In addition, regular maintenance extends the useful life of the structure by years. Schedule a quarterly checkup-a walk with a watchful eye and a screwdriver in your pocket is enough to find (and avoid) bigger trouble.

Not all modular fences are the same

Here’s a common mistake: thinking that “modular” is synonymous with “easy and convenient.” Spoiler: it isn’t always. Some modular systems are designed more to sell than to last. Poor materials, weak joints, wobbly structures-all result in more maintenance than expected and less satisfaction. What you really want is a modular system with a solid structure, designed for professional farms, not home gardens. Always check the quality of the material (galvanized steel, treated wood, high-strength PVC), but most importantly, get references from people who already use them in settings similar to yours. And then there is another important thing: compatibility over time. A good supplier guarantees that if you buy twenty modules today, in two years you can order ten more and they will still be perfectly compatible. This is crucial for long-term thinkers like you.

Bonus tip: also think about the maintenance … of the land

Surprise. It’s not just the fence that needs to be maintained: the soil around it also plays an important role. If the area at the base of the fence erodes easily, mud forms, or weeds grow that weaken the posts, you will soon have problems. So yes, a good modular fence is important, but also consider preparing the soil well, draining properly and controlling the vegetation around it. Is it extra work? Maybe. But it’s an investment that prevents a thousand breakages later.  

Bureaucratic aspects and regulations for livestock farms

I know what you’re thinking: just reading the word “bureaucracy” makes you want to turn everything off and go clean out the pits. But wait a minute! If you have a horse farm or are thinking of opening one, knowing what regulations you need to follow can save you from hefty fines, work stoppages, or – worse – having to dismantle everything after you’ve just finished it. The good news is that you don’t have to be a lawyer to figure it out: all you need is a little organization, practical wit, and patience. Below I explain everything clearly and in the tone of someone who has been there before (maybe cursing, but then made it through).

First thing: the fence is not just a barrier, it is a construction work

When you install a fixed fence on your farm, be aware that you are not just planting posts, you are building a real building structure. And yes, that means you may need permits, notices to the municipality or even a plan signed by a licensed engineer. The basic rule? If the fence is fixed and not easily removable, you need a permit. If, on the other hand, it is modular and temporary, in many cases a Notice to Proceed (CIL) or SCIA (Segnalazione Certificata di Inizio Attività) is enough. But the best thing to do is to go directly to the municipal technical office and ask: each municipality has its own level of rigidity and different rules. And watch out for landscape or environmental restrictions: if you are in a protected area, you may have special restrictions on materials, heights, and even colors. So before you buy 300 meters of fire-red colored fence, drop by City Hall. Trust me, it saves you a lot of trouble.

Barn code, ASL and safety: things you can’t ignore

In addition to fencing, a farm needs an “official” identity: this is represented by the Stable Code, which is like your facility’s identity card. You request it from your local veterinary ASL, and it is used to register horses, move animals, and also to access regional funds or notices. Once you get the code, you will enter the National Livestock Information System (BDN) and have to keep the data up to date. Don’t worry, you don’t need to write everything down on parchment: it’s all done online, even if it’s not the most user-friendly site in the world. Another key aspect is compliance with safety regulations: fences must ensure the safety of the animal and those who work with them. This means avoiding dangerous overhangs, posts that are too low, and netting that can easily snag or break. And yes, there are surprise inspections, so it’s best to be in place at all times. If you also have employees or volunteers, you will need to comply with agricultural labor regulations and pay attention to accident prevention regulations, including the use of electric fences or mechanical means near paddocks.

Regulations, but also opportunities: calls and concessions you can take advantage of

Okay, bureaucracy can be a big mess–but it can also become your ally if you know it well. Many farmers are unaware that there are public tenders and European funds that cover up to 50-70% of expenses for facilities such as fencing. They are called RDPs (Rural Development Plans) and are active in all regions of Italy. To participate, however, you need your facility to be in compliance with documentation, permits, farm code and plan of action. And here bureaucracy returns, but this time with a smile. If you want to participate, I recommend talking to an agricultural consultant or a LAG (Local Action Group) desk in your area-they are often free and will guide you step by step through the application. Be prepared to submit quotes, technical reports, and product sheets (this is why it’s important to have professional and transparent suppliers!).  

Advice from the most experienced breeders

When you’ve just started a farm or are expanding your facility, everything feels like a huge battlefield. Fences, permits, horses to set up, hay to move, and a thousand details that eat up your day. But then you stop for a moment, breathe and think, “If only someone had told me this before…” Here, this article is just that “some.” We’ve collected the wisest-and sometimes most ironic-advice from breeders with 15, 20 or 30 years of experience behind them (and maybe a few nails hammered in the wrong place). These are tips you won’t find in technical manuals, but they’re worth their weight in gold when you’re standing there with your hands in the dirt and the horses looking at you like they know everything.

“Buy good once, or bad a thousand times.”

One of the most repeated pieces of advice from those who have been there before is this: don’t skimp on the quality of fencing. It doesn’t mean you have to buy the most expensive one outright, but you have to think in terms of durability and maintenance. A farmer from Parma told us, “At first, I chose the cheapest fence. After two years, I replaced all of it.” He added, “Now I only use hot-dip galvanized modules, you pay more for them but they last 20 years and it takes you a moment to replace them.” If you think about it, it makes sense: better to spend a little more today than to redo everything in three winters, perhaps in the rain. Evaluate durable materials with solid construction and easy-to-replace components. And always ask the supplier, “If I need a part in two years, do you still have it?”

“Horses always find the weak point: listen to them.”

Other top tip? Watch how your horses behave with the fence. More than once, experienced breeders have told us, “Horses show you where you will go wrong, just watch them carefully.” If there is a spot where they scratch often, where they push with their chest or where they pee all at once, probably there the fence will suffer more than the rest. Reinforce it, anticipate it. Don’t wait until it all breaks down. A breeder from Piedmont told us, “There was a pole that the horses loved to scratch against. Every three months I would replace it. Then I put an old olive tree trunk there. Since then, the pole has been safe.” These small adjustments make a huge difference over time, especially on farms where you have a lot of horses or rotation of young animals.

“Leave nothing to chance: every detail counts (even the bolts)”

The beauty of the experience is all in those little tips that seem trivial–until they save your fence. For example: use only galvanized screws and bolts, because rust is unforgiving, especially in wet or muddy areas. Another farmer told us, “Check the screw heads every six months. If they start turning slack, change the part right away.” A slack vine today is a pole on the ground tomorrow. And a pole on the ground is a runaway horse, often with a crooked hoof and tail between its legs. Grass has its role, too! “Cut the grass under fences at least twice a year-it’s not just aesthetics, it’s also safety,” says a center manager in Veneto. Tall grass hides holes, burrows, buried electrical wires, or simply areas where the fence weakens without you noticing.

“If you can modulate it, you can also save it.”

The advice everyone gives, sooner or later, is this: always choose modular fencing, even if your farm looks final. The reality is that nothing is permanent. Horses change, clients change, logistics change. A fixed fence is a wall, a modular fence is a door. “I thought I wouldn’t have to touch anything anymore, then a new group of foals arrived and I had to rearrange everything.” A breeder with 22 horses in Tuscany says this. “With the forms, I moved the panels in half a day and without calling anyone.” A well-made form is an investment in your freedom to adapt and work better, day after day. It is a practical and smart choice that any experienced breeder would subscribe to with a smile.

In conclusion: listen to those who have been there before … but then follow your own style

The advice of the most experienced breeders is like a map full of signs: they help you not to end up in ditches, but you are always in the driver’s seat. Each breeding farm is a world apart, each horse is different, each corral has its own story. The important thing is not to improvise, but also not to paralyze yourself with the fear of making mistakes. Ask for advice, listen to stories, observe animals and follow common sense. It works more often than you imagine.