Farm and pasture fencing
Fencing for the rolling farmland around Clarksville: horses, cattle, goats, gardens and long property lines.
Leave the subdivisions behind and Montgomery County turns into hilly farmland, woods and creek bottoms. Out there, a fence might need to hold horses, cattle or goats, keep deer out of a garden, or simply mark a long boundary across uneven ground. Rural fences are a different trade from backyard fences, so it pays to talk to a contractor who builds them.
Common rural fence types
| Fence | Typical use | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Four-board (wood) | Horse pastures, road frontage | Classic Middle Tennessee look; often painted black |
| Woven wire | Goats, sheep, dogs, mixed livestock | Small openings at the bottom keep small animals in |
| Barbed wire | Cattle on larger tracts | Not suited to horses |
| High-tensile / electric | Long runs, rotational grazing | Needs a charger, grounding and upkeep |
| Deer and garden fence | Gardens, orchards, young trees | Needs extra height to stop jumping |
What makes a pasture fence strong?
- Braced corners and ends. Wire fences are only as tight as their corner and gate assemblies. H-braces carry the tension.
- Post spacing that fits the fence. Wire fences can stretch farther between posts than board fences.
- Creek and ditch crossings. Water gaps need a design that survives high water without tearing out the whole line.
- Gates where you need them. Wide enough for a tractor, trailer or hay delivery.
Sinkholes on the property
Sinkholes are common across Montgomery County because the ground is underlain by limestone. The county's stormwater guidance recommends fencing livestock away from sinkholes to keep animal waste out of them, and asks owners to talk to a civil engineer or geotechnical professional before trying to fill or alter one. County stormwater rules also call for a 60-foot undisturbed buffer around sinkhole throats and cave entrances. Walk the line with your contractor and flag any depressions before the route is final.
Rock and digging
Limestone near the surface can stop an auger. Contractors handle this with rock bits, driven steel posts, or shifting the line a few feet. Ask how they'll handle rock so it isn't a surprise on the bill.
Boundary fences
Before fencing a property line, find the pins or get a survey, and talk to the neighbor. A fence built a few feet off the true line can cause problems for years.
Every fence is priced after a contractor walks the property, marks the line, checks the slope, the soil and the gate spots, and hears what you want the fence to do. We don't quote prices, and any figure you hear before someone has seen the yard is a guess.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
Is barbed wire okay for horses?
It's generally not recommended for horses because of the injury risk. Board, woven wire or high-tensile designs made for horses are safer choices.
Can a fence go around a sinkhole?
Yes, and Montgomery County recommends fencing livestock away from sinkholes. Talk to a professional before filling or changing one.
Related services
More background: Clarksville fence guide.
Storm knock a section flat, or ready to fence in the backyard?
Call the number above and a local fence contractor will come look at the job and quote it directly.