Gates and Latches

Keep your horses where they should be.

Recommended gate widths:
1/2 Ton Truck.................10'      Feed Truck......................12'
Hay Equipment.............14'      Combine Equipment.....16'
Garden Tractor...............6'      Bush Hog........................8'
Horse Turnout Gate......6'      Human Gate...................4'
Tip: Smaller gates will stay straighter longer. For larger areas, consider a double gate.

Be sure to consider the following when installing gates in a fence line. Gates can be a weak spot in a fence line; keep gates to a minimum as well as plan for future traffic flow. If possible, ensure that the gate is on level ground. If using electricity on a fence line, terminate the line at the gate and run undergate cable to electrify the other side of the fence line. If the gate has a shock to it you may need to ground the gate using a ground rod and wire to the hinge bolt. Lastly, do not use spring gates with horses, as the horse may get tangled in the spring.

First aid for gates

Fix a sagging gate. Once a gate begins to sag it becomes difficult to open and close and doesn't look very good. Dragging the gate on the ground or in the mud starts to bend the gate and eventually it won't work at all. Use a gate wheel to keep the gate up off the ground (ground must be level). Use a one-way or two-way latch to support the weight of the gate. Adjust the hinge bolts so that the gate is not touching the ground. Electrify the inside of the opening with a line of rope or tape to keep the horses off the gate.