Ask anyone in Ocala what fence they picture and many will describe the board fences around the horse farms. Wikipedia counts over 400 thoroughbred farms and training centers here, and Florida's first thoroughbred farm was started in Marion County in 1943. Fencing for horses follows different rules from a backyard fence, because a horse will lean on it, chew it, run into it and test every gap.
How tall a horse fence should be
The University of Georgia's extension bulletin Fences for Horses is a standard reference for farm fences in the Southeast. Its height guidance:
| Fence | Recommended height |
|---|---|
| Perimeter pasture fence | At least 5 feet (60 inches) |
| Fence dividing pastures | 4½ feet (54 inches), bottom 6 to 8 inches off the ground |
| Paddocks, corrals, stallion pens | Top at about eye level, usually 4 to 6 inches above the withers |
Boards, wire or both
The bulletin lists rail or plank, PVC, high-tensile polymer, mesh wire and electric fence as options for horses, and says a good horse fence should be easy to see, durable and safe. Board rails are usually 1x6 or 2x6, with 2x6 the stronger. For woven wire, it recommends small openings, such as diamond mesh with 2-by-4-inch openings, so a hoof can't go through, and it advises against welded 2x4 fabric.
Posts and spacing
- Rail fences: line posts 8 to 10 feet apart.
- Wooden line posts at least 2 feet in the ground; corner and brace posts deeper, especially in sand or wet soil.
- Corner and gate posts at least 8 inches across the top; brace posts 5 inches or more.
- Post length works out to fence height plus setting depth plus about 6 inches.
Much of Marion County's horse land is sandy, which is exactly the case the bulletin flags for deeper corners. Preservative matters too: it calls for 0.4 pounds per cubic foot for fence posts, and warns that landscape timbers aren't treated for ground contact.
Small farms inside Ocala
Most backyard lots inside city limits aren't zoned for horses, so check the zoning on the parcel before planning a paddock. For larger parcels outside the city, Marion County's rules apply.
Getting a horse fence quoted
When you ask for a price, mention how many horses, the total length, the number of gates and whether you want boards, mesh, electric or a mix. Long runs are quoted per foot, so an accurate length makes the first number much closer to the final one.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Ocala, Florida
- University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Bulletin 1192: Fences for Horses (J. W. Worley, revised June 2024)
Checked November 10, 2026. City rules, statutes and price surveys change, so the linked original is the final word.