Gates in a fence are essential for access to a pasture and for moving animals through it, yet they are almost always the weakest point of the whole fencing system. Where the fence is interrupted for a passage, voltage can drop, wear on materials increases, and the risk of an animal escaping right at that spot rises too. PATURA has therefore formulated five basic rules worth following whenever you install a gate.
The five basic rules
- As few gates as possible: keep the number of gates to a minimum, since they are always a weak point in the fence; every extra passage is another place where voltage can be lost and mechanical failure can occur.
- Flat ground: place a gate on flat ground whenever possible, since the gate area is always more exposed to erosion than the rest of the fence due to frequent passage of animals and machinery.
- Fence corners: if you have a choice, place the gate at a corner of the fence, since this simplifies the fence's construction and makes use of a spot where movement already converges.
- Power always under the gate, never through it: never route electrical current through the gate to the other side of the fence; instead, use a high-voltage cable that carries the connection underground.
- No tensioning springs for horses: for gates in horse fences, avoid tensioning springs, as they are not suitable for this animal species.
Why power must always run under the gate
The fourth rule is technically the most important, since it directly affects the safety and reliability of the whole fence. If the wire ran through an open gate, the connection would break every time it was opened, and voltage on the other side of the fence would fluctuate or disappear entirely. The solution is a double-insulated, high-voltage-rated cable that carries the connection between both sides of the gate safely underground, regardless of whether the gate is open or closed. Such a cable stays functional no matter how often the gate is used.
The first three rules are related to each other: fewer gates means fewer spots for potential erosion and damage, flat ground under a gate slows down how quickly the terrain around it changes, and a corner placement often combines both advantages, since a corner is naturally a more stable and simpler point to build on. When considering a new gate, it therefore makes sense to first check whether the existing fence line already offers a suitable corner or flat section before adding a completely new passage.
Horse gates need special attention
The fifth rule applies specifically to horse fences, where animal safety matters even more. Instead of tensioning springs, horse gates are better fitted with special tension-limited handles: the tensile force on the handle is converted into a compressive load on the spring, so the spring compresses instead of overstretching. This solution reduces the risk of a horse getting tangled in a loosely hanging cable or a conventional spring, which matters more for this animal than for cattle or small livestock. When choosing equipment for horse gates, it is therefore worth checking whether a particular handle or kit is explicitly marked as suitable for horses, since the difference between a standard and a horse-adapted solution is not always obvious at first glance.
Additional recommendations for the gate area
Beyond the five basic rules, keep the following in mind for the gate area:
- Make all contacts and metal parts around the gate from stainless steel or hot-dip galvanized materials, since rust quickly interrupts conductivity at this point.
- For better visibility, use a handle with a white flag or a bright marker on every gate, so people and animals notice it more easily.
- For frequently used gates that machinery also passes through often, consider electric drive-through gates that open in both directions and close automatically, allowing passage without getting off the vehicle.
- For high-traffic areas such as yards or driveways, gate rollers are a practical solution, automatically and cleanly reeling the tape back in after use so it does not remain an obstacle.
A gate is a small but often overlooked part of a fence, so it deserves the same attention as choosing an energizer or grounding. As PATURA's Slovenian partner, Kancler Sistem Pro helps you plan a gate installation that fits your animal type and how often it is used.
Need advice?
You will find high-voltage cable for crossings under the gate, gate handles and other gate hardware in our fencing equipment range.