The entrance to your horse property acts as security for animals and people, and it gives people an idea of what your facility does. For tips on horse property entrance gates we turned to Heather Lewis, AIS, NCARB, AAA.

Gates and Your Property Entrance

We often get questions from our clients about what to consider when purchasing an entry gate for their horse farm or equine facility. Entry gates can be a great way to secure the perimeter of your property, keep your animals in, or just provide aesthetic appeal. But, what should you buy? And how should it function?

Your options are endless. 

Gates can be made in a variety of materials, shapes, and sizes. They can swing open, slide, or lift. They can be manual or automatic, can operate with clicker, keypad, weight sensing, etc.

Before you make your decision, there are a few important factors to consider.

First is location. You’ll want to make sure your gate is located far enough along your driveway that your truck and trailer can pull safely off the main road.

Another consideration will be the material of your gate. Be sure the material and construction are safe for your animals. Property entrance gates must be safe. Prevent horse injury with gates designed for horses. Be careful of materials that allow horse feet or heads to be trapped.

Function

A final major consideration is how the gate will function. Manual and automatic gates each have their pros and cons.

Manual gates can be a hassle to open and close, especially in inclement weather. Those manual gates can accidentally be left open.

Automatic gates are more expensive and require more maintenance. However, they are significantly more convenient. 

How often will you use the gate? If you have people coming and going 50 times a day, you’ll want to make sure you have a heavy-duty gate and opener. If the gate is only used from time to time, a cheaper option might work just fine. 

If you have a cattle guard at your entrance, make sure to have an optional gate for human and animal foot traffic.

horse property entrances cattle guard and foot traffic gate

For more information from Animal Arts please visit their website.

  • Heather Lewis, AIA, NCARB, AAA 
    Heather Lewis, AIA, NCARB, AAA, joined Animal Arts architectural firm more than 20 years ago and is now a principal in the company. She has designed numerous award-winning veterinary hospitals, animal shelters, and assistant dog facility projects. She is a member of the Fear Free advisory board.
    View all posts