6 Best Fence Come Alongs for Horse Pastures
Explore the 6 best fence come alongs for horse pastures. We review the durable, reliable tools that seasoned ranchers trust for safe and secure wire tension.
There’s nothing that sinks your heart faster than seeing a top line of fencing sagging like a clothesline after a storm. For horse owners, a tight, secure fence isn’t just about looks; it’s the bedrock of safety and peace of mind. The right fence stretcher, or come along, is the difference between a weekend of frustration and a pasture that’s safe for your animals.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!
Why a Good Fence Stretcher is a Rancher’s Ally
A fence stretcher does one job, but it does it critically well: it applies consistent, powerful tension. A horse fence needs to be tight enough to discourage leaning and prevent a hoof or head from getting tangled. Trying to pull wire tight by hand or with a tractor is a recipe for uneven tension and a fence that will sag in a month.
This tool is a massive labor-saver. What would take two or three people grunting and struggling can be done by one person with mechanical advantage. It allows you to pull the wire, hold it in place, and have both hands free to properly attach it to the post. This means a better, longer-lasting fence built faster and with less sweat.
Ultimately, a good come along is an investment in your horses’ safety. A properly tensioned fence is a psychological barrier as much as a physical one. Horses respect a taut wire and are less likely to test it, reducing the risk of injury from entanglement or escape. It’s the tool that turns a simple line of posts and wire into a truly secure enclosure.
Maasdam Pow’R-Pull: The Heavy-Duty Standard
If you ask an old-timer what puller they have in their truck, chances are it’s a Maasdam. This tool has earned its reputation through decades of reliable service on farms and ranches across the country. It’s built from solid steel and designed to be used, abused, and passed down.
The key to the Maasdam’s success is its simple, rugged design. It typically features a single-piece, cast aluminum ratchet wheel and a galvanized, aircraft-quality cable. The real standout feature is the "notch-at-a-time" letdown, which gives you precise control when releasing tension. This is a critical safety feature that prevents the load from free-spooling.
Is it the cheapest option? No. But the Maasdam isn’t about being cheap; it’s about being dependable. When you’re a half-mile from the barn with a broken fence line and a storm rolling in, you want a tool that you know will work, every single time. For frequent fence work, the reliability is worth every penny.
TEKTON 5252 4-Ton: Power and Value Combined
Sometimes you just need raw pulling power without a premium price tag, and that’s where the TEKTON shines. With a 4-ton pulling capacity, this come along offers serious muscle for the money. It’s more than enough for any fencing job and can handle other farm tasks, like pulling stubborn posts or small stumps.
This power comes from a dual-gear ratchet system, which distributes the pulling force more evenly than single-gear designs. This makes for a smoother, more stable pull under heavy load. The TEKTON is a workhorse, designed for heavy lifting when you need it.
The trade-off for its power and value is often in the finer details. It might not feel as refined as a Maasdam, and the release mechanism can be less forgiving. However, for the hobby farmer who needs a versatile, powerful puller for occasional heavy-duty tasks, the TEKTON provides an incredible amount of capability for its price.
Goldenrod 400: The Classic Wire Fence Stretcher
Don’t confuse this tool with a general-purpose come along. The Goldenrod is a specialist, designed exclusively for stretching single strands of wire, and it does that job beautifully. If you’re running new lines of barbed wire or smooth wire, this is the most efficient tool you can own.
Secure your property with this durable, 50-foot barbed wire. Made from rust-resistant, galvanized steel with sharp, 4-point barbs for effective deterrence.
Its design is brilliantly simple. A swiveling head allows you to brace it against a post from almost any angle, while a wire clamp grabs the fence wire securely. You simply work the handle to pull the wire to the desired tension. It’s lightweight, easy to carry, and fast to set up.
The limitation is its specialty. You can’t pull a UTV out of the mud with it. But for its intended purpose—repairing a broken line or stringing a new one—it’s faster and easier to handle than a bulky come along. Many ranchers keep both: a Goldenrod for wire work and a heavy puller for everything else.
SpeeCo Chain Stretcher for High-Tensile Fencing
High-tensile fencing is a fantastic option for horse pastures, but it comes with a non-negotiable requirement: extreme tension. This type of fence only works when it’s stretched as tight as a guitar string, and a standard come along often isn’t the right tool for the job. The wire is slippery, and the required forces are immense.
The SpeeCo chain stretcher is purpose-built for this task. Instead of a cable, it uses a heavy-duty chain that won’t stretch under load. More importantly, it comes with a specialized clamp designed to grip high-tensile wire without slipping or kinking it, which would weaken the fence.
Using the wrong tool on high-tensile wire is not just ineffective; it’s dangerous. A slipping clamp can send a wire whipping back with incredible force. The SpeeCo ensures you can achieve the necessary tension safely and securely, making it an essential piece of equipment if you’re working with this modern fencing material.
Dutton-Lainson DL1500A: A Reliable Workhorse
Sitting in a similar class to the Maasdam, the Dutton-Lainson (DL) puller is another trusted name in the world of winches and material handling. This is a solid, no-nonsense tool built for farmers who value durability and smooth operation. It’s a workhorse that you can rely on for years of fencing projects.
The DL pullers often feature a laminated ratchet wheel, where multiple steel plates are layered together. This design is incredibly resistant to wear and damage, ensuring the core mechanism remains reliable. They also pay attention to user comfort, with features like longer handles for better leverage and ergonomic, non-slip grips that make a big difference on a long day.
While it may not boast the 4-ton capacity of more industrial models, its 1,500 lb. pulling force is more than sufficient for nearly all woven and stranded wire fencing. It’s a great choice for someone who wants professional-grade quality and a tool that feels balanced and precise in its operation.
The More Power Puller: Top-Tier Safety & Durability
If your budget allows and safety is your absolute top priority, The More Power Puller is in a class of its own. This is the top-tier option, engineered with an obsessive focus on durability and preventing catastrophic failure. It’s the kind of tool you buy once and your grandkids will fight over.
What sets it apart is the construction. It uses heavy cast and forged components instead of stamped steel, and the cable is anchored directly to the reel drum for maximum security. Its most famous feature is the handle, which is designed to bend if you drastically overload the puller, providing a clear warning sign long before any critical part could break. This is a safety feature you won’t find on cheaper models.
The price tag is significant, and for many hobby farmers, it’s overkill. But for those who use a puller regularly, work alone, or simply want the peace of mind that comes from using the safest tool on the market, the investment can be easily justified. It’s less of a tool and more of a piece of safety equipment.
Safety First: Using Your Come Along Correctly
A come along puts wire and cable under incredible tension. This stored energy, if released unexpectedly, can be incredibly dangerous. Never forget that a snapped cable or a failed anchor point can turn a piece of hardware into a lethal projectile.
Before every single use, take 30 seconds to inspect your equipment. Look for frayed cable, bent hooks, or cracks in the housing. Ensure your anchor point—be it a solid fence post, a tree, or your truck’s frame—is more than strong enough to handle the load. Never, ever pull towards a weak or rotten post.
Always remember these core rules of operation.
- Stand out of the line of pull. Position yourself to the side, never directly behind the handle or in line with the cable.
- Never exceed the rated capacity. A 1-ton puller is for a 1-ton job. Pushing it further is asking for failure.
- Wear protective gear. Gloves are a must to protect from frays, and safety glasses are non-negotiable.
- Release tension slowly. Use the notch-by-notch release. Never try to disengage the pawl under full load.
Treating this tool with respect is paramount. It multiplies your force, making difficult jobs possible. But that same force demands your full attention to ensure the job gets done safely.
Choosing the right fence stretcher comes down to the type of fence you’re building and how often you’ll be doing it. A secure fence is the foundation of responsible horse ownership, and the right tool not only makes the job easier but fundamentally safer for both you and your animals. Invest in a good one; your future self will thank you.
