8 Pieces of Gear for Riding Fences and Checking Land

A downed limb or a rusted staple is all it takes for livestock to wander onto a busy road or into a neighbor’s pristine garden. Riding your fence lines regularly is the only way to catch these vulnerabilities before they turn into costly, stressful emergencies. Equipping yourself with the right tools ensures that a discovered break can be fixed on the spot rather than requiring a second trip back to the barn.

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Why Regular Fence Inspections Keep Your Farm Safe

Fences are the silent guardians of a hobby farm, keeping livestock contained and predators at bay. However, wind, falling branches, and shifting soil constantly work to compromise these physical boundaries. Regular inspections turn potential disasters—like escaped goats or damaged crops—into simple, routine maintenance tasks.

Neglecting the perimeter leads to progressive damage that is far more expensive to repair than a simple spot-fix. A loose wire today becomes a sagging, ruined fence line tomorrow under the weight of curious livestock. Setting a consistent schedule to ride or walk the boundaries ensures the integrity of the entire containment system.

How to Plan Your Route Before Riding the Lines

Blindly heading out to check miles of fencing often results in wasted time and missed problem areas. Successful inspections begin with dividing the property into manageable zones based on terrain and fence age. Focus first on high-risk zones, such as heavily wooded boundaries or areas where livestock tend to congregate.

Take note of seasonal challenges like spring washouts along creek beds or heavy snow loads that sag wire. Always carry a physical map or use a reliable offline GPS app to mark specific spots needing future heavy-duty repair. This systematic approach ensures no post is overlooked and saves wear and tear on your horse or utility vehicle.

Work Gloves – Wells Lamont HydraHyde Leather

Handling barbed wire, splintered wooden posts, and rusty staples without hand protection is a recipe for painful cuts and infections. A reliable pair of work gloves must act as a second skin, offering heavy-duty defense while retaining enough dexterity to tie wire knots. Without them, fence maintenance quickly grinds to a painful halt.

Wells Lamont HydraHyde Leather Gloves excel here because the leather undergoes a special tanning process that makes it water-resistant and highly breathable. Unlike standard cowhide that dries stiff and brittle after getting wet, these gloves remain soft and pliable day after day. The reinforced patch on the palm provides extra protection against abrasive wire friction.

When buying, pay close attention to sizing; a snug fit is crucial to prevent the leather from bunching up when handling small staples. These gloves require occasional cleaning with a damp cloth to remove grit. Avoid harsh detergents that strip the natural oils.

• Best for: Hobby farmers working in damp morning dew or handling rough wooden T-posts.
• Not for: Those needing extreme heat resistance for welding or heavy brush clearing.

Fencing Tool – Channellock 85 Fence Tool Pliers

A dedicated fencing tool is the Swiss Army knife of boundary maintenance, combining several crucial functions into one heavy hand tool. Trying to pull staples or splice wire with standard household pliers is frustrating and dangerous. This tool must be robust enough to hammer, cut, strain, and crimp wire out in the field.

The Channellock 85 Fence Tool Pliers stand out due to their high-carbon C1080 steel construction and the classic blue comfort grips. The head features a heavy-duty hammer face on one side and a hook-shaped staple starter on the other, allowing for rapid staple extraction. Dual wire cutters handle both heavy-gauge smooth wire and stubborn barbed wire without dulling.

Users should practice the specific technique for crimping and splicing wire loops, as the jaw configuration can feel awkward at first. Keep the joint lightly oiled to prevent rust from outdoor exposure. This is especially important if the tool is carried in an open saddlebag.

• Best for: Quickly repairing standard barbed wire and woven wire fences on the go.
• Not for: High-tensile wire systems that require specialized, heavy-duty crimping sleeves.

Wire Stretcher – Maasdam Pow’R Pull 8050 Grip

Sagging wire is useless for containing livestock, but pulling it tight by hand is nearly impossible and highly hazardous. A portable wire stretcher provides the mechanical advantage needed to pull slack out of a line so it can be securely stapled. It acts as an extra set of incredibly strong hands when you are working alone far from the barn.

The Maasdam Pow’R Pull 8050 Grip uses a simple, highly effective cam-action locking mechanism that grips smooth or barbed wire without causing damage or nicks. Its lightweight, compact frame makes it easy to pack into a saddlebag, unlike bulky come-alongs. The cast-iron construction ensures it won’t bend or warp under the tension of a stubborn line.

Using this tool safely requires a solid anchor point, such as a sturdy T-post or a healthy tree trunk. Always stand to the side of the wire under tension to avoid injury in case of a sudden line break. Wear safety glasses during this process to protect your eyes from flying debris.

• Best for: Solo farmers needing to tension single strands of barbed or smooth wire during spot repairs.
• Not for: Tensioning entire multi-acre runs of heavy woven-wire field fencing at once.

Multi-Tool – Leatherman Super Tool 300

You cannot carry a full toolbox on horseback or an ATV, making a heavy-duty multi-tool an indispensable backup. When a minor issue arises—like a loose screw on a gate latch or a tangled piece of twine—having a tool on your hip saves a long trip back. It fills the gaps when specialized fencing tools are too bulky for the immediate task.

The Leatherman Super Tool 300 is built specifically for working hands, featuring the strongest pliers Leatherman makes. It includes replaceable wire cutters, which are invaluable when dealing with tough utility wire that ruins softer steel blades. The large side cutouts make it easy to open the blades even while wearing thick work gloves.

Because it contains multiple folding blades and screwdrivers, it requires regular cleaning to keep grit out of the pivots. A light coating of mineral oil protects the stainless steel from rust after rainy days on the trail. Wipe down the tool after every wet ride to maintain smooth operation.

• Best for: Quick, unexpected adjustments to gates, feeders, and small hardware along the trail.
• Not for: Heavy-duty wire splicing or hammering tasks that require dedicated, high-leverage tools.

Fault Finder – Gallagher G50900 Smart Finder

Electric fences are incredibly effective until a fallen branch or tall weeds short out the current. Finding the exact location of a fault along miles of wire can take hours of frustrating guesswork without the right diagnostic tool. A fault finder measures both voltage and current flow to point you directly toward the problem.

The Gallagher G50900 Smart Finder is the gold standard because it displays the direction of the fault with a clear arrow on its LCD screen. It measures current in amps, allowing you to trace the leak even through heavy undergrowth. The cordless design means you simply touch the pocket-sized device to the wire to get an instant, accurate reading.

This device is designed strictly for electric fence systems and will not work on non-energized wire. Ensure the battery compartment remains sealed, as moisture can damage the sensitive internal electronics. Store it in a padded pouch when not in use to protect the screen.

• Best for: Anyone managing multi-strand electric fencing who wants to locate shorts in minutes rather than hours.
• Not for: Traditional barbed wire or non-electric woven wire fencing systems.

Saddle Bag – Weaver Leather Pommel Saddle Bag

Carrying heavy, sharp tools on your body while riding is uncomfortable and dangerous in the event of a fall. A dedicated saddle bag shifts the weight to your mount or vehicle, keeping your hands free and your tools organized. It must be durable enough to withstand brush scrapes and secure enough to prevent tools from bouncing out.

The Weaver Leather Pommel Saddle Bag is constructed from heavy-duty ballistic nylon that resists tears from thorns and branches. It sits snugly over the pommel of a western saddle, keeping your tools easily accessible without interfering with your horse’s movement. The insulated pockets are perfect for keeping water cool or protecting sensitive electronic fault finders from extreme heat.

Ensure the bag is balanced evenly on both sides to prevent saddle sores on your horse during long rides. Clean the zippers regularly with a dry brush to prevent dirt buildup from jamming the closures. Apply a zipper lubricant occasionally to keep them gliding smoothly.

• Best for: Trail riders and horse-riding hobby farmers who need quick access to tools from the saddle.
• Not for: Farmers using ATVs or UTVs who have built-in cargo beds for larger toolboxes.

Fencing Hammer – Estwing 15 oz Ultra Hammer

Driving staples into seasoned black locust or pressure-treated pine posts requires a hammer with serious driving power. Standard claw hammers are poorly balanced for the awkward angles encountered when working on fence lines. A dedicated, lightweight hammer reduces arm fatigue during long days of securing loose wire.

The Estwing 15 oz Ultra Hammer features a solid one-piece forged steel construction that eliminates the risk of the head flying off. Its sleek, aerodynamic design delivers the punch of a much heavier hammer without the bulk. The patented Shock Reduction Grip minimizes the jarring vibration transferred to your wrist with every strike.

The straight claw is excellent for prying up old staples, but it lacks the specialized pulling hook found on dedicated fencing pliers. Keep the steel head clean and dry to prevent surface rust from forming after exposure to wet weather. A light wipe with an oily rag keeps the steel pristine.

• Best for: Driving large fencing staples into tough, weathered wooden fence posts.
• Not for: Pulling deeply embedded staples, which is better handled by specialized fencing pliers.

Wire Cutter – Felco C7 High-Strength Cutter

Standard pliers often pinch wire rather than shearing it, leaving frayed, dangerous ends and straining your hands. Clean cuts are essential for making secure splices and preventing injury to livestock from sharp, jagged wire tips. A high-leverage cutter makes quick work of tough, springy wire with minimal physical effort.

The Felco C7 High-Strength Cutter utilizes a unique triangular cutting action that progressively compresses and shears the wire rather than crushing it. The forged aluminum handles are incredibly lightweight yet virtually indestructible under normal farming conditions. It slices through high-tensile wire up to 7mm thick with a clean, professional finish.

This tool is designed strictly for cutting and does not have a hammer face or staple-pulling features. The blades must be sharpened occasionally with a fine-grit stone to maintain their effortless cutting performance. Store them in a dry pocket to protect the cutting edge from corrosion.

• Best for: Farmers working with high-tensile wire or thick steel cable who need clean, effortless cuts.
• Not for: Those looking for an all-in-one tool that can also hammer staples and tension wire.

Essential Safety Tips for Riding Remote Boundaries

Riding remote boundaries often takes you far out of earshot of the main homestead, making safety planning paramount. Always inform someone of your specific route and estimated return time before heading out. Carry a fully charged cell phone or a satellite communicator in a pocket on your person, not attached to your horse or vehicle, in case you are separated from your mount.

Watch for natural hazards like hidden gopher holes, ground wasp nests, and low-hanging branches that can spook a horse or damage an ATV. Approach tense wire with caution; high-tension lines can snap back with enough force to cause severe lacerations. Wearing safety glasses when cutting or tensioning wire is a simple habit that prevents catastrophic eye injuries.

Organizing Your Gear Bag for Quick Trail Repairs

A chaotic gear bag leads to frustration and lost tools when you are trying to work in the middle of a pasture. Group your equipment by function, keeping frequently used items like fencing pliers and work gloves in the most accessible pockets. Store small, loose items like staples, crimps, and wire splices in durable, labeled plastic containers to prevent them from scattering.

Keep a coil of spare smooth wire secured to the outside of your bag for quick patching jobs. Dedicate a specific, padded pocket to sensitive electronics like your fault finder to protect them from heavy metal tools. Taking five minutes to repack your bag at the end of each ride ensures you are always ready for the next inspection.

Maintaining secure boundaries is a continuous cycle of observation and quick action on any hobby farm. By equipping yourself with these durable, task-specific tools, you turn a potentially grueling chore into an efficient, satisfying routine. Keep your gear organized, stay safe on the trail, and protect your hard-earned peace of mind.