Frequently Asked Questions

Drill a hole through the top of the cover.
On the two long sides, drill a hole, 10mm at least, directly through the star picket sleeve, 25mm from the top edge, and approximately 18-20mm in from the point of the picket sleeve.
This should match the diameter of the hole in most star pickets). But first, please check your star pickets, as the position of the top hole can vary between brands.

Step 3

Place a cap over the top
Our picket sleeve cap can then be slipped over the end of the cover.
It will be a snug fit, but not tight.
It will be secured to the cover in the following steps.

Step 4

Secure the cover to the post with a cable tie.
Thread a cable tie through the holes in the cap, and the holes you have drilled into the star picket sleeve.
Tighten the cable tie as per normal.
We recommend a 7.6mm black cable tie to fit neatly into the hole. The length can be as short as is available, which is likely 200mm.
Tighten the cable tie and remove the excess plastic, ensuring not to leave any sharp edges.

Step 5

Attach the desired wire clips or brackets as required.
Various wire fencing and mesh clips can be attached to the covers using the correct screws. Do not use screws with timber or steel cutters. A tight thread would be most beneficial.

What sort of posts do I need?

This is the question we get asked the most!

This is entirely your choice. We do sell a range of posts to be used with our rail and some post sleeves that you can fit over existing posts, see here but you can also use your treated pine posts.

As treated pine is the most common fence post, we will base our answers on that. If you are working with an alternative, please check with your supplier to ensure that your choice has equivalent properties and strength.

Let’s start with your straining posts.

These are the posts you install at the end of a run, at corners and where the fence run terminates at a gate. Your straining posts are critical. They bear the pressure and the weight of the railing. You need to get these right. If you do not install the right posts, they will not support your fence correctly.

For straining posts, we specify 120mm -200mm, dependant on the length of run. They must be properly braced and correctly installed. If you are using steel posts (also some laminated posts) they will flex less under the strain and may be a little smaller.

We also specify a hole depth equal (at least) to the height of the fence. Most of our customers use a 2400mm / 8ft post for this purpose. Posts must be concreted in, unless they are rammed in. The industry standard here is 50% above ground / 50% below and we agree!

We are not experts in the soil conditions for every part of our beautiful country, so talk to your local timber merchant or your fencing contractor to ensure that you are purchasing the best solution for your property.

Now to your interim posts ..

The most commonly used post for interim posts are 75mm – 100mm diameter round treated pine. (Did you know that round posts are actually stronger than square or rectangular posts of a similar size?)

The length of your post should match your needs. Most fences are between 1250mm and 1500mm high, but this should be determined by the type of horses you are keeping. Height isn’t critical if you are keeping miniatures, but if your horses are Thoroughbreds, Clydesdales or Draft horses it really is!

Now let’s talk about how deep to dig your interim posts into the ground.

A general rule of thumb for fence posts is 1/3 below to 2/3 above ground and this is definitely a great starting point. In reasonable soil conditions, without problems with water and/or sandy composition, a depth of 450-500mm can be appropriate.

For most properties, 1800mm / 6ft interim posts are adequate, but your soil conditions may have additional requirements. We are aware of some of our customers needing to use a 2400mm post, dug 50 above/ 50 below.

How wide is a Bounce Back rail?

Genuine Bounce Back rail is always 120mm wide. If you see a narrow version, it’s not the same! Bounce Back is wider than the imported imitation for greater strength and visibility. (It also looks a lot more like traditional post and rail fencing at 120mm).

For more information of the products dimensions see Horse Fence Rail Specifications.

How do I install the Wire End Vise Cover?

This step by step guide will show you how to easily install the wire end vise cover.

Measure the amount of wire required to allow for restraining, using your straining tool as a guide.
Trim the wire to desired length – usually between 10 and 15cm. As a guide, the wire when bent should nearly reach the nearest other wire end vise, immediately above or below.
Now, carefully fold each wire back up against the post as gently and neatly as possible.
Tidy the wire further by stapling the wire to the post.
To attach the wire end vise cover to the post, drill four stainless steel screws for each pair of vises. Screws should be between 10mm and 20mm long, 316 stainless

For gate posts, it is often necessary to install the cover over each pair of vises separately. This allows for gate hardware to be attached to the post. In these instances, cut the covers into 150mm lengths with a knife, pair of snips or hacksaw. Generally, the cover will be used in one piece on the straining post to cover all of the vises on that post.

If you have any more questions on how to cover wire end vise please contact us.

Do you really mean “no painting – ever”?

Yes! We really do. Your Bounce Back rail will never, ever need to be painted.

Better still, if you cover your timber posts with our post sleeves and caps, they will never need to be painted either.

Can I request a sample pack?

How do I install a Bounce Back star picket cover?

Step 1

Step 2