3-board & ranch rail
The classic look of Louisiana horse country. Three horizontal boards on wood posts give a highly visible fence for horses and a clean edge along a road frontage or driveway.
Board & rail · Pasture · Horse · Barb-wire · Deer
Farm & Ranch Fencing in Covington, LA
Northbound Fences builds 3-board and ranch rail, wire-backed board, pasture, horse, barb-wire and deer fencing for farms and acreage across the Northshore, from Folsom and Bush to Franklinton and Amite City. Farm gates are sized for trucks, trailers and tractors.
Last updated: September 2026
Northbound Fences is a licensed and insured Louisiana fence contractor based in Covington. Eric Bankston founded it in 2005, and the crew builds across St. Tammany, Tangipahoa and Washington Parishes.
What farm and ranch fencing does Northbound Fences build?
Short answer
Northbound Fences builds 3-board and ranch rail fences, board fences backed with wire mesh for small stock, pasture and horse fencing, barb-wire fence, deer fencing, farm and livestock gates, and custom fence construction. Every project starts with a free walk of the fence line and a written price.
Farm fencing is where Northbound Fences does some of its most visible work. The photos on this page are the crew’s own: board fence around a sand riding arena, a wire-backed rail fence along a green pasture, a board line curving across open ground, and a goat pasture with the Northbound sign on the fence.
North of I-12 the Northshore turns rural quickly. Horse properties and hobby farms spread out around Folsom and Bush, the pine hills of Washington Parish around Franklinton, Bogalusa and Angie hold cattle pastures and timber land, and much of Tangipahoa Parish is still farm country. A fence out there has to hold animals, survive wet ground and storms, and leave room for equipment to get in and out.
Northbound Fences uses its own trained crew on every farm job, never a subcontractor, and Eric Bankston is still involved in every project. For the house and yard on the same property, see residential fence installation, and for pipe, wire and wood pasture gates, see gate installation.
From the field
What do Northbound farm fences look like on the ground?
Northbound Fences builds board, rail and wire-backed fence for horses, goats and other livestock. These are recent projects by the crew.
Fence types
Which farm fence is right for your animals and land?
Northbound Fences matches the fence to what it has to hold in or keep out. Here is what each option does best.
Wire-backed board fence
Wire mesh fastened to the inside of a board fence closes the gaps between rails, so goats, sheep, calves and farm dogs stay in while you keep the rail-fence look.
Pasture & horse fencing
Pasture fence in board, rail and wire, laid out around paddocks, arenas and turnout. Horse fencing favors visible rails and no barbs.
Barb-wire fence
An economical way to fence long cattle pastures and property perimeters. Corner and end posts are braced so the wire stays tight across the run.
Deer fencing
Taller fencing that keeps deer out of vegetable gardens, orchards, nurseries and food plots, a real concern on wooded lots in rural St. Tammany and Washington Parishes.
Farm gates & custom builds
Pipe, wire and wood livestock gates wide enough for trucks and tractors, plus custom fence construction for arenas, pens and anything that does not fit a standard design.
Rural Louisiana
What makes fencing farmland north of Lake Pontchartrain different?
Northbound Fences plans every farm fence around four conditions that rural St. Tammany, Tangipahoa and Washington Parish land throws at a fence line.
- Wet bottoms and sandy ridges
A single pasture can run from sandy high ground to wet clay near a creek. Posts have to be set for the soil at each spot, not one setting for the whole line.
- Pines, oaks and fallen limbs
Fence lines often run along timber. Storms drop limbs across rails and wire, so layout keeps clear of the worst trees where it can, and repairs are straightforward when it cannot. See fence repair.
- Termites and decay at the ground
Farm posts sit in wet ground year-round. Pressure-treated lumber, made to resist moisture and insects, is the baseline for wood posts and boards. Our humidity and termite guide explains why.
- Hurricane wind across open ground
Open pasture gives wind a long run at the fence. Braced corners and gate posts keep wire tight and rails straight after a tropical storm passes through.
How it’s built
How does Northbound Fences build a pasture fence?
Northbound Fences builds a farm fence in four stages, from walking the line with you to hanging the last gate.
Walk the fence line
The crew walks the property with you to mark the line, gate locations, low spots, creeks, trees and anything that has to be cleared.
Match fence to livestock
Horses, cattle, goats and deer each need something different, so the fence type, height and wire backing are chosen for the animals and the use.
Auger holes and set posts
Post holes are augered along the line and posts are set, with corners and gate posts braced to carry wire tension and gate weight.
Rails, wire and gates
Boards, rails, wire mesh or barb wire go on, farm gates are hung for trucks and tractors, and the line is walked again before the crew leaves.
What should you sort out before fencing acreage?
Northbound Fences recommends knowing exactly where your property lines are before a long fence goes in. On rural tracts, old fence lines do not always follow the deed, and a survey settles questions with neighbors before posts are set.
Rules for fences and permits vary between parishes and towns, so check with your parish or city. Northbound Fences pulls permits when required. Think about where trucks, hay deliveries and tractors will enter, too, since gate locations are easier to plan than to add later. The St. Tammany fence permit guide is a good starting point for St. Tammany properties.
FAQ
What do farm and horse owners ask about fencing?
Call (985) 630-4452 to talk through your acreage with the crew.
What is the best fence for horses?
Horse owners generally prefer highly visible fences without barbs, such as 3-board wood rail or board fence backed with wire mesh, because horses can run into or reach through a fence. Northbound Fences builds board and ranch rail pasture fencing for horse properties and sizes gates for trailers and equipment.
Will a 3-board fence hold goats or small livestock?
Board rails alone leave gaps that goats, sheep, calves and dogs can slip through. Adding wire mesh to the inside of a 3-board fence closes those gaps while keeping the look of a rail fence. The photo at the top of this page shows that combination.
Do you build barb-wire fence for cattle?
Yes. Northbound Fences builds barb-wire fencing for cattle pastures and perimeter lines, along with pasture fences in board, rail and wire. The crew will talk through which option suits the animals you keep.
What is deer fencing used for?
Deer fencing is a taller fence that keeps deer out of gardens, orchards, nurseries and food plots. Northbound Fences builds deer fencing and ranch rail for rural properties in St. Tammany, Washington and Tangipahoa Parishes.
How far will Northbound Fences travel for a farm fence?
Northbound Fences serves roughly a 50-mile radius from Covington, including Folsom, Bush, Franklinton, Bogalusa, Angie, Amite City, Kentwood and Independence, plus Carriere and Poplarville in Mississippi. Call to confirm your location.
How much does farm fencing cost?
Farm fence pricing depends on the length of the run, the fence type, the terrain and tree cover along the line, clearing, and the number of gates. Northbound Fences walks the property and gives a free written estimate, and the price quoted is the price you pay. The fence cost guide covers the main factors.
More from Northbound
Other Services You May Need
Gate Installation
Driveway, walk-through, pool and farm gates hung to swing true.
- Swing, sliding and cantilever
- Matched to your fence material
- Heavy-duty hinges and latches
Fence Repair
Storm, fallen-tree, rot, leaning-post and animal damage fixed.
- Insurance claims accepted
- Rotted posts replaced
- Sections matched to existing
Fence Installation
New wood, vinyl, chain link, aluminum and picket fences built to your lot.
- Privacy, picket and shadow box
- Most homes finished in 1–3 days
- Permits pulled when required
Free estimates
Ready to fence your pasture?
Tell Northbound Fences where the fence or gate goes and what it needs to hold in. The crew measures on site and gives you a written quote with no pressure and no obligation.
or call (985) 630-4452