Fences are built for a variety of reasons, ranging from strictly ornamental to strictly for control of livestock. This article will address initial considerations when designing fences to control livestock.
Fences are barriers to restrict movement of livestock.
Barriers may be physical, psychological, or a combination of the two. Physical barriers contain enough materials of sufficient strength to prevent or discourage animals from going over, under, or through the barrier. Wooden, woven wire and cable fences, and welded panels are examples of physical barriers. Psychological barriers depend on inflicting pain to discourage animals from challenging an inferior physical barrier which, by itself, could not be counted on to contain them. Electrified and barbed wires are examples of psychological barriers.