The Green Horse section provides practical information on managing environmentally sustainable horse properties, readers stories and tips, as well as advice and articles from equestrian experts in their fields.

In this issue of The Green Horse you will find the following articles

RAILS THAT LAST FOR YOUR HORSE PROPERTY
by Gary Simmons
Rails are what make your horse fences visible, safe and functional and they are the part of your fencing that you and your horse interact with each day.

TURNING WEEDS INTO LIQUID GOLD
Weeds are an inconvenient fact of life on any horse property. Whether they’re creeping along the fence line, sprouting in manure-rich soils, or taking advantage of bare patches in the paddock, they seem to appear faster than they can be pulled. But instead of carting them off to the green waste bin or burning them in frustration, there’s a simple way to turn them into something valuable:.

FLOOD MAPPING FOR THE FUTURE
A new generation of flood modelling could offer rural landholders, including horse property owners, clearer insight than ever into how floodwaters behave across an entire catchment — and what can realistically be done to protect lives, animals, and property.

COMBATTING HIGHT RISK WEEDS IN NSW
The New South Wales Government is allocating $10 million through the Good Neighbours Program to address the growing threat of high-risk weeds that impact agriculture, biodiversity, and rural infrastructure. This initiative is part of a broader $945 million commitment to enhance biosecurity measures across the state.

FARM SHARE AGISTMENT - AIR BNB FOR HORSES
A new Australian-made website is helping horse owners across the country find agistment more easily than ever before.

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PREVIOUS ARTICLES

AUG/SEPT 25
CHOOSING THE RIGHT FENCE POST FOR HORSE SAFETY AND PROPERTY LONGEVITY
Fencing is one of the most critical investments on a horse property, and while much attention is often given to rails, the posts themselves play an equallyvital role in both the strength and safety of the entire fence system.

June July 25
MOLASSES - A NATURAL BOOSTER FOR SOIL HEALTH
Soil inoculants are beneficial microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, and other microbes, that are introduced into the soil to improve its quality.

APRIL/MAY 25
NOT SO GOLDEN -
TOXIC TO HORSES
Golden Crownbeard

A herbaceous perennial, Golden Crownbeard thrives in disturbed areas, such as pastures, roadsides, and along fence lines. While it may appear harmless, the plant contains toxins that can cause severe health issues for livestock, particularly horses.

February March 25
ESTABLISHING AN EQUESTRIAN CENTRE

Star pickets are a staple of rural fencing in Australia. They provide a strong, versatile, and relatively easy-to-install option for securing horse paddocks, temporary fencing, or reinforcing existing fence lines. However it’s worth weighing the pros and cons of using star pickets and exploring the best ways to install, remove, or even recycle them

December/January 24/25
ESTABLISHING AN EQUESTRIAN CENTRE

Setting up a riding centre is a bit different to establishing a property for your own horses. So when Toni Gough from Victoria was relocating her business Shepparton Equestrian Centre careful consideration was given to the placement of new facilities to meet the needs of both horses and clients.

October/November 24
REPAIR THAT BROKEN FENCE
by Gary Simons
If you’re managing a horse property, one thing you’ll quickly come to terms with is that horses are hard on fences. Whether it’s a cheeky young gelding testing boundaries or a storm-felled tree, repairs are an inevitable part of owning equine property. Luckily, with a little knowledge and some essential tools, mending a broken fence can be a straightforward task.

August/September 24
SHORT VERSUS LONG GRASS
by Erika Gough
Understanding the effects of grazing on short grass versus longer grass is crucial for any
horse owner, but particularly for those who have horses with endocrine issues or a history of
laminitis (usually caused by endocrine issues).

June July 24
SMALL BLOCKS BIG DREAMS
by Karen O'Keefe
An example of how sme small landcaregroups also deliver Equine Landcare related activities.

April/May 24
STOP THE ROT IN YOUR FENCE POSTS
by BOUNCE BACK HORSE FENCE
Timber posts tend to rot at the base. It is a normal process in the breakdown of the wood, but it can be postponed, giving a longer life to the fence post.

February March 24
CAN A SOIL TEST TELL YOU WHAT IS IN YOUR PASTURE?
by Nerida Richards - Feed XL
A definite recommendation for horse owners is to have their pasture and hay tested so they get a much more accurate idea of what their horses are eating.

August September 23
CREATING AND USING THE SACRIFICE PADDOCK
Functional areas that are safe and useable are essential, with an area set aside as a ‘sacrificial’ area or paddock considered by many horse owners to be an invaluable component of their property’s set up and design.

June July 23
CREATING A WEED MANAGEMENT PLAN - your property your weeds.
by Rhiannon Brown, Envirapest
Keep it Simple as making a weed management plan doesn’t have to be like studying for that master’s degree or passing your driving test for the first time either.

Apriil/May 23
SIMPLE FEED BUDGET
by Belinda Taylor
Although most horse owners are nervous at the prospect of creating a budget, a few quick
calculations can give you the power to compare prices and alternatives that can reduce your horses’ feed
costs, without impacting on their health and wellbeing.

February/March 23
CROFTON WEED KILLS HORSES
by Angela Davison
If you have this weed on your property then it is best to not have any horses in the paddock until such time as you can eradicate it.

December/January 22 23 PROPERTY PLANNING
-Working with your property- not against it.
by Teele Worrell
Property planning is about
using your property effectively
and efficiently and sometimes
starting with a clean slate.

October/November 22
WHAT IS EQUESTRIAN LANDCARE
by Teele Worrell
Part 1 In a series in which Teele will explore what equine landcare is, and why it benefits equine landholders

August/September 22
THE IMPORTANCE OF GROUND COVER
by Belinda Taylor
Ground cover, whether it be dead grass, weeds, hay, or mulch is the insulating layer that protects your soil from the extremes of temperature and erosion.

June/July 22
SOLAR FOR YOUR ARENA
Environmentally-friendly solar lighting for your arena will allow you to use your arena for longer, and as energy from the sun is free it is therefore an ideal long-term solution for powering lights. Jeff Florence from Blackfrog Solar, Queensland suggsted some solar tips.

April/May 22
MAKING THE MOST OF MOSQUITO CONTROL
by Rhiannon Brown - Envirapest
Climate change that has brought high temperatures, more rain and increases in humidity will provide ideal breeding grounds for the many species of mosquitoes, including those that spread the Japanese Encephalitis virus (JEV).February/March 2022

February/March 22
SUSTAINABLE DEWORMING
by Sophie Fletcher
There has been a relatively big shift in deworming treatment strategies in recent years, due to increasing levels of worm resistance to the chemicals we have been using for decades to control them, resulting in a lot of confusion among horse owners.

December/January 21/22
ARE YOU PREPARED FOR THE FIRE SEASON
In the many areas where horse owners live this season's fire preparation should be well underway; if you’ve not already started preparing your property for summer then now is the time to do so.

October/November21
SNAKE UNIVERSAL ANTIVENOM
The good news is that there is no longer any need for a snake to be identified to administer antivenom. A universal antivenom is now used that covers the five genus of snake that will cause serious harm or death.

August/September 21
BEAT THE BINDI
by Rhiannon Brown - Envirapest
The prickly weeds that grow on our properties across Australia usually have long classical Latin names, are often known by a variety of common names in different localities but are regularly called very rude names when we happen to stand on one (or a dozen) or when they find our hands as we are dislodging tangles in the horse’s mane or tail.

June July 21
BARN OWLS by Wendy Elks
A silent partner in rodent control.
Non-toxic pest management is the most humane and ecologically sustainable way of bringing nature back into some kind of balance during non-plague times.

April/May 21
LOVELY LAWNS
by Rhiannon Brown - Envirapest
On a horse property there always seems to be hectares of grass, but we all have that little bit of lawn we want to look luscious all year round.
It could be the entrance to the stables, laneways bordering the driveway, that little ‘special’ snack paddock or you could even dream of a beautiful green arena. So, how do we achieve this?

Feb/March 21
STABLE DANGERS
by Elizabeth Tollarzo
They say that horses are accidents-waiting-to-happen as they are inclined to find every conceivable way to injur themselves, usually just before a competition. Being aware of potential dangers in the stable - and addressing these - may help aleiviate injury.

Dec/Jan 20/21
HORSES AND HONEY BEES-
Can they share space on the property?
by Wendy Elks

Oct/Nov 20
SOLAR-POWERED PRODUCTS
by Celine Bønnelykke
In previous issues we have discussed the economics of setting up a solar-driven property, but if finances don’t stretch to installation of the whole package, there are ways to ease into the solar-world.

Aug/Sept 20 THE HIDDEN DANGERS IN OUR PADDOCK.
by Elizabeth Tollarzo
Horses love to run, play, buck and then run again and we often, through lack of risk assessment or management practices, place them in areas that are fraught with dangers.

JUNE JULY 20 GOING SOLAR ON THE HORSE PROPERTY Where to put your panels Part 2
Once you have selected what solar system best suits your needs, then you need to look at how you can maximise the advantages.

APRIL MAY 20 GOING SOLAR ON THE HORSE PROPERTY Part 2
Once you have selected what solar system best suits your needs, then you need to look at how you can maximise the advantages.

FEB/MARCH 20 ANTS AWAY
by Mark Brown Envirapest
So, what can you do to deter ants from your house and your stables??

DJ19/20 KEEPING SNAKES OUT OF THE STABLE by Wendy Elks
Snakes may be protected under Wildlife regulations in Australia, and they may be great for keeping the mice and rats down, but do we want to find them in our stables near our horses and pets?

ON19 - TERMITES- common myths
by Rhiannon Brown, Envirapest
Your house and stables are looking wonderful this spring, but do you know what is happening inside the walls of your brick or timber building?

AS19 - OUCH THAT HURTS
by Catherine Bird for Country Park Saddlery
The extent of the swelling is usually an indication of the severity of the infection or injury and the cause needs to be established before giving herbs.

JJ19 - MANAGING PASTURE
by Rhiannon Brown, Envirapest Healthy pasture means healthy horses.

A/M19 - STOP THOSE WEEDS
Property biosecurity
by Rhiannon Brown, Envirapest
Putting simple precautionary steps into place can make it tough for weeds to get a hold on your equine paradise.

Whether you’re putting up a new boundary, building day yards, or replacing tired old rails, the choice of rail material has a big impact on safety, appearance, longevity, and cost. Rails also determine how much work you’ll need to put into the job, both at the time of construction and years down the track when maintenance comes into play.

When choosing rails, it’s worth remembering that no one system is perfect for every horse property. A rail that looks picture-perfect on a boutique equestrian block may not be practical on a large acreage with kilometres of fencing to maintain. Equally, what works best for an experienced fencer with all the right tools may not suit someone tackling their first DIY project.

Timber Rails: The Traditional Choice
Timber rails remain the classic choice on many horse properties, particularly in Australia where treated pine is readily available. Both round pine rails and sawn timber rails have an undeniable aesthetic appeal: a timber rail fence gives a property the kind of country character that plastic or steel can’t quite replicate. Painted white, they bring to mind the immaculate post-and-rail fences of Kentucky horse farms.

From a safety point of view, timber is generally good provided it is properly maintained. Horses can see it easily, and it has enough ‘give’ to deflect mild knocks. However, horses that chew or crib can quickly damage timber rails, and splintering is always a risk.

Treated pine rails are more affordable but softer and more prone to wear and chew marks. Hardwood rails are stronger and more resistant but come at a higher price and can still splinter when they age.

The method of attaching timber rails is straightforward but labour-intensive. Rails are typically morticed and wire twitched into place or bolted to posts. Some fencing systems use brackets that allow timber rails to slot into place, which speeds up installation and reduces the risk of loose bolts.

In terms of cost, timber rails usually range between $27 and $40 per rail, depending on whether you use treated pine or hardwood and where you’re buying from. Labour is a bigger factor — morticing or bolting each rail takes time, and replacing chewed or broken rails adds to long-term effort.

For someone new to fencing, timber is forgiving because you can cut and adjust rails with basic tools, but the sheer time needed can be daunting. For larger jobs, it is a system better suited to those with experience and a willingness to stay on top of maintenance.

Flexible Rail Systems: Safety with Stretch
One of the most innovative fencing options in recent years is the flexible rail, such as the systems produced by Duncan Equine. These rails are made from strong plastic with internal steel wires that give them strength but allow for stretch. When a horse collides with the fence, the rail flexes and then snaps back into place, significantly reducing the risk of injury.

From a safety perspective, flexible rail is one of the best choices available. Horses can see it clearly, it gives under pressure, and it eliminates the splintering hazard of timber or the unforgiving rigidity of steel. It also requires less maintenance — the rails don’t need painting, and because they’re tensioned, they don’t sag like timber over time.

Installation involves clipping the rails into the specific brackets attached to the posts and tensioning them with a strainer designed specifically for this rail. This does take some skill and the right equipment, but once you’ve set up the first run, the process is straightforward. For a beginner, it may take time to learn, but with patience it is achievable. An experienced fencer will find it efficient and satisfying to install.

Flexible rail is purchased by the roll usually 100 or 200 metres. Cost ranges from $950- $1300 per roll, depending on non electric, electric or double electric style. However, when you factor in its longevity and reduced maintenance, many property owners find it good value in the long run.

Steel Rails: Tough but Unforgiving
Steel rails, often in the form of round or oval tubing and occasionally square tube, are another option. Their biggest advantage is strength: they don’t splinter, they’re extremely durable, and once painted or powder-coated they can last for decades with minimal attention.

For high-impact areas such as laneways, stallion yards, or fencing around a busy area, steel provides a level of robustness timber can’t match. However, steel has its downsides when it comes to safety and your choice of rail can impact this. Round or oval tubing will give similar to wood but square tubing is less likely to give causing more serious injury risk.

Installing steel rails is not a beginner’s job. Welding skills or specialised fittings are usually required, making this system best suited to experienced fencers or those willing to hire professionals. Once in place, though, the system is virtually maintenance-free and fire resistant. Costs vary widely depending on whether you’re using plain galvanised steel or decorative powder-coated rails, but you can expect $20 to $40 per rail as a ballpark figure.

Plastic and Composite Rails:
The Modern Alternative
Plastic or composite rails, such as PVC or vinyl fencing, have become increasingly popular for horse properties. These systems are designed to mimic the look of timber post-and-rail but without the issues of chewing, splintering, or rot. They are UV-stabilised, resistant to weather, and, importantly, flexible enough to absorb some impact if a horse leans or bumps against them.

From a safety standpoint, PVC and composite rails perform well. They don’t splinter like timber, they’re smooth to the touch, and many are designed to pop out of brackets under heavy impact, reducing the risk of a horse being injured. However, lower-quality plastics can become brittle over time, particularly under the harsh Australian sun, so it’s worth investing in reputable brands.

Installation is relatively straightforward. This makes them ideal for those with limited fencing experience. The trade-off is cost: PVC rails are generally more expensive. Long-term, though, maintenance is minimal — an occasional wash is all that’s required — which can make them economical over time.

Choosing What’s Right for You
For many horse owners, the choice comes down to balancing three things: appearance, cost, and safety. Timber has the look but not always the lifespan. Steel has strength but can be risky in a collision. PVC and composites sit nicely between safety and ease of installation, though they cost more upfront. Flexible rail systems are purpose-designed for horses and offer excellent safety and durability, but the price per roll may put them out of budget for large properties.

If you are fencing a small boutique block and want the classic country look, timber or PVC may suit you best. For a professional yard housing stallions or high-value horses, flexible rail may justify the higher price. Large acreage owners who need to stretch the budget may still rely on timber, supplementing with electric wire or tape to protect the rails and reduce chewing.

Rails are not just a cosmetic choice — they are the visible barrier that keeps horses contained and safe, and they send a message about how you value your property. Whatever material you choose, remember that horses are powerful, curious, and sometimes unpredictable animals.

Good fencing isn’t about stopping a determined escape artist at all costs; it’s about providing a clear, safe, and reliable boundary that reduces risk for horse and owner alike.

Taking the time to select the right rails for your posts means fewer repairs, safer horses, and a property that looks and functions the way you need it to. Whether you’re a first-time DIYer or a seasoned fencer, there is a rail system to suit your skills, your budget, and, most importantly, your horses.