Field boundaries come in different forms.

HLM can provide recommendations and repairs to most boundary infrastructure.

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Stock fencing:

​Traditionally wooden posts at fixed intervals and wire mesh of various sizes, with either plain or barbed wire as a top and/or bottom wire. There is increasingly the use of metal post such as Clipex Fencing TM.

There are regional variations and styles depending on the livestock intended to encounter the fencing and methods used to install/build the fence. High tensile (HT) wire is generally used where there has been a machine used to tension the wire netting, as it is stiffer and does not stretch as much when tensioned, providing a tighter fence. Whereas mild steel (MS) is generally used for its ease of installation and familiarity among contractors.

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Post and Rail:

Upright square or rectangular sawn posts at a fixed interval with rails at a fixed distance apart.  Often used in areas of higher public visibility, as it is aesthetically pleasing and provides an obvious barrier/boundary. 

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Electric Fencing:

Temporary Electric Fencing consists of a ring of wire supported on removable plastic stakes, a pulse of electric energy, usually 12v, through the wire.  There can be more permanent Electric Fencing used on paddocks near mains electricity, usually for horses and pigs.

Animals receive a small shock if they touch the wire deterring them to approach it.

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Hedges:

Hedges are a row of closely planted shrubs or trees that create a green barrier that form a boundary. Often linear and associated with a stock fence nowadays, due to not being stock proof themselves.

The tradition of Hedge laying involves partially cutting through the stems of shrubs or small trees near ground level and bending them over at an angle without breaking them, so they remain alive and can regrow from the base. The bent stems, called pleachers, are woven around support stakes and sometimes bound with horizontal binders to form a dense, living barrier. This technique creates a thick, bushy hedge that is impenetrable to livestock like sheep and cattle while providing shelter and habitat for wildlife.

There are over 30 styles of hedge laying in the UK.

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Dry Stone Walls:

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Dry stone walling is a traditional craft in the UK, characterised by walls built without mortar, using the natural properties of stone to create durable structures that have historical and cultural significance.

Dry stone walls have been a part of the British landscape for thousands of years, with origins tracing back to the Bronze Age. They are not only functional, serving as field boundaries and livestock enclosures, but also represent a significant aspect of rural heritage. Many of these walls were constructed during the agricultural enclosure movement between the 1650s and 1850s, marking a transition in land use and ownership in Britain.

The construction varies regionally, influenced by the local geology, which determines the type of stone available and the style of walling.

It is estimated that there are approximately 200,000 km of dry stone walls in the UK but only a small percentage of these are in good condition, with many in an advanced stage of decay and/or derelict.

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Virtual Fence Collars:

Virtual fencing relies on collars equipped with GPS or radio technology that communicate with a base station or app to define virtual boundaries on a digital map. As an animal approaches a boundary, the collar emits an auditory cue to guide it back into the designated area. If the animal ignores the cue, a low-level electrical pulse is delivered, which is safe, predictable, and significantly weaker than traditional electric fences

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