Farm Life Lesson #3: Fences Are Only as Strong as Your Last Fix

Intro: The Patch Job Paradox

There’s an old saying out here: “A fence is like trust—easy to break, hard to repair.” And let me tell you, there’s no lesson quite like watching an entire herd of goats sprint through a weak spot you swore would hold.

Fencing might not be glamorous, but it’s the silent guardian of every farm. It protects your livestock, your crops, and occasionally, your sanity. Until it doesn’t.

A Story From the Dirt

A windstorm had rolled through the night before, shaking things up across the pasture. I did a quick walk along the main fence line, spotted a saggy spot, and thought, “Eh, I’ll patch it later.”

Well, “later” turned out to be about four hours too late.

By noon, the goats had found the weak spot like it was a VIP exit. Salt made the first move—wiggling under the loose wire like a prison break pro. Pepper followed. Then came the chickens. Somehow.

What followed was a 45-minute sprint around the property involving two feed buckets, three kids, and one very confused delivery driver who pulled up just in time to see me yelling, “GRAB THE ZIP TIES!”

The Takeaway: Do It Right the First Time

Fences, like problems, don’t fix themselves. That temporary patch? It might buy you a day, but it won’t stop the goats from sensing freedom. Same goes for life—cutting corners, avoiding tough conversations, or slapping bandaids on big issues doesn’t hold forever.

Put in the work, do it right, and save yourself the scramble.

Or hire our Partner Company Western Sky Ranch. They will Transform your Farm Land.

Lesson learned? If it looks weak, it probably is. Whether it’s barbed wire or boundaries, reinforce it before something breaks through.

Stay tuned for Lesson #4: “Animals Will Humble You (Fast).”