Livestock and acreage fencing
Fencing for the irrigated pastures, corrals and small farms that surround the towns of the Magic Valley.
Outside town limits the work changes. Around Hansen, Filer, Buhl, Kimberly and Jerome, fences hold horses, cattle, goats, sheep and 4-H projects, close off pastures and corrals, and follow canals and field edges for long stretches. The right fence depends on the animals, the length of the run and how often you're willing to walk it and make repairs.
Which rural fence types are common?
- Barbed wire. The usual cattle fence on bigger pastures. A poor choice for horses.
- Woven wire and no-climb. Tight mesh that keeps a hoof from going through and holds smaller stock.
- Pipe and steel rail. Strong and long-lived for corrals, arenas and entrances.
- Post-and-rail. Wood or vinyl rails for frontage and horse paddocks.
- Electric and high-tensile wire. Lower material use over long runs; needs a charger and regular checks.
What counts as a lawful fence in Idaho?
Idaho Code 35-101 defines a lawful fence as at least 4 1/2 feet high, with the lowest wire, rail or board no more than 20 inches above the ground and the space between sufficiently subdivided. That standard can matter if animals get out or a neighbor disputes a shared line, so ask how the proposed fence compares.
Braces, corners and wide gates
On a wire fence, corner and brace assemblies carry the tension. Long runs need solid H-braces at corners, gates and changes in direction, or the wire goes slack within a season. Wide gates for a swather or stock trailer need heavy hinge posts set deep enough to stay plumb through freeze and thaw. Where basalt is close to the surface, ask how the contractor will anchor those posts.
Fencing along a canal or lateral
Many rural lots border a canal, lateral or drain. Under Idaho Code 42-1209, fences and gates on an irrigation entity's easement need its written permission, and an unapproved fence that interferes with the ditch can be ordered removed at the owner's cost. Call the canal company or irrigation district before fencing along a ditch bank, and leave room for its maintenance equipment.
A fence is priced after the contractor walks the line, checks the digging, counts gates, corners and grade changes, and hears what the fence has to do. We don't quote prices, and any number given over the phone before someone has seen the property is only a rough starting point.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
What fence is safest for horses?
Fences horses can see and can't put a hoof through, such as no-climb wire, pipe or rail, are generally preferred over barbed wire. Describe your horses' habits to the contractor.
Can I fence right up to the ditch bank?
Not on the irrigation entity's easement without its written permission. Ask the canal company where its easement line is.
Related services
More background: Twin Falls fence guide.
Fence flattened by a west wind, or a new backyard with nothing around it?
Call the number above and a Magic Valley fence contractor will set a time to see the job and quote it directly.