Equestrian Fencing Regulations and Standards

The rural code (Article R215-4) requires outdoor equids to be enclosed by safe, accident-risk-reducing fences. Fencing must comply with urban planning rules on height, transparency, and materials. Property owners may install fences, but keepers are liable for secure, well-maintained enclosures. Standards vary by equid type: adult horses need 2 wires at 80–140 cm; foals, 3 wires at 50–90–130 cm; stallions, 4 wires at 50–90–130–170 cm; miniature ponies, 3 wires at 20–50–80 cm; donkeys, 2 wires at 75–120 cm. Electric fences must have the top wire at chest height (except for stallions) and the bottom at knee height; foals need fixed, non-electrified low fences. Sheep wire is discouraged. Posts should be spaced 2.5–5 m apart. Electric fences require signage every 50 m near roads. Use untreated wood (pine, fir, larch, chestnut, oak, black locust); creosote-treated wood is banned. Virtual fencing lacks widespread adoption due to ethical and safety concerns. 'Prairie spider' fencing is used for rotational grazing.