Cattle Guards for Livestock Control – A Complete Guide

Cattle guards are an essential tool for effective livestock management, offering a permanent solution for keeping cattle contained while allowing vehicles to cross unrestricted. Available in multiple materials, designs, and configurations, each type serves specific traffic patterns, foundation needs, and environmental requirements. At Barn World, we carry a wide range of cattle guards suited for agricultural, commercial, and private-use applications.


cattle guard on foundations removable cattle guard


Why Choose a Cattle Guard Instead of a Gate?

A cattle guard—also called a cattle grid or cattle gap—offers a continuous physical barrier to livestock without interrupting vehicle flow. Unlike gates, there’s no need to stop, open, close, or worry about a latch being left unsecured. Cattle guards improve convenience, security, and long-term cost-efficiency.

  • Continuous protection—24/7 livestock deterrence without manual effort
  • Less maintenance—no moving parts, latches, or hinges to maintain
  • Time-saving—eliminates the need to open and close gates multiple times daily
  • Vehicle-friendly—supports smooth access for trucks, trailers, and tractors
  • Peace of mind—livestock containment without human error or animal escapes!

Cattle Guard Options and Considerations

Before selecting a cattle guard, consider:

  • The type of traffic (vehicle size, frequency, and speed)
  • The species of livestock—cattle are deterred; goats and horses are not recommended
  • The load rating required for your application
  • Foundation needs—temporary vs permanent installation

These livestock barriers are primarily designed for cattle. While they may deter deer if spacing is adequate, smaller hoofed animals like goats can sometimes cross them. Cattle guards should not be used with horses due to safety concerns.

Types of Cattle Guards

Top Rail Design Options

Steel cattle guards offer the option of a round top rail or flat rail design and are useful for different types of traffic. The round pipe design is a bit more aggressive as a livestock deterrent; however, it is a rougher ride for crossing vehicles, especially at higher speeds.

For high-speed traffic, a flat top rail cattle guard offers a smoother ride while still providing a barrier for large hoofed animals. These guards are also available with a pre-cast concrete foundation for easy installation.

Round Rail Cattle Guards

Our traditional steel cattle guards are built with heavy-duty steel pipe welded to structural support beams. They are available in round or flat top rail configurations and are commonly used for ranch entrances, pasture gates, and low- to medium-traffic access roads.

The round top rail offers a very effective physical deterrent. Hooves cannot balance on the rounded surface, making cattle unlikely to attempt a crossing.

cattle guard with round top rails

Flat rail Cattle Guards

The flat-top rail design features a hexagonal top surface, which offers a smoother ride for higher-speed vehicle crossings. Though more comfortable for vehicles, it still maintains enough spacing between rails to prevent hoofed animals from walking across safely. These are frequently used on public roads and areas with higher-speed traffic.

flat rail cattle guard with concrete foundations

Concrete Cattle Guard Forms

Concrete cattle guard forms are a more recent innovation, providing a cost-effective and permanent alternative to steel. Made from lightweight poly material, these forms are shipped affordably and filled with concrete onsite. The form is left in place, creating a long-lasting livestock barrier with its built-in foundation.

One unique benefit of concrete designs is their tapered inner walls. This taper prevents a hoof from slipping deep into the structure, reducing the risk of injury compared to steel bars.

concrete cattle guard formconcrete cattle guard form

Boxed Cattle Guards

Boxed designs are designed to lay directly on the ground.  The box, or skirt, is welded to the perimeter to keep dirt from creeping into the vaulted area below the top rails. It’s an extremely useful and popular design for sites that have low traffic counts like private driveways or remote access areas that don’t require a foundation.

The guard can be set directly on the ground or on crushed gravel to provide drainage. Some will even use railroad ties to help distribute weight from crossing vehicles. Dirt can be pushed up on either side to create vehicle ramps for a quick and easy installation.

Boxed Cattle Guard

ATV Cattle Guards

Designed specifically for small equipment and utility vehicles, our ATV cattle guards offer quick installation and allow all-terrain vehicles to access pastures without opening gates. They’re ideal for checking fencing or moving between large grazing areas and are simple to install by cutting the fence and securing it to the upright brackets.

Please note that with this design, it’s helpful to keep weeds or grasses from growing up through the top rails.  It can mask the visual deterrent that can help keep cattle from stumbling upon.

atv on a cattle guard

Cattle Guard Wings

Cattle guard wings are an essential accessory for any livestock containment system, providing a secure and seamless connection between a cattle guard and the surrounding fence line. Without wings, livestock may attempt to walk around the ends of the guard, potentially escaping through open gaps between the fencing and the roadway crossing.

These specially designed extensions—also known as cattle grid wings—consist of bolt-on triangular metal panels that attach directly to the ends of the cattle guard. Each wing rises diagonally on a support post, allowing your fence to connect without interruption. This angled design forms a continuous barrier that prevents animals from skirting around the cattle guard, maintaining the integrity of the entire fencing system.

Wings are simple to install and extremely effective. Once bolted to the cattle guard and connected to your fence, they eliminate one of the most common escape points for livestock. Whether you’re working with cattle pastures, driveways, or remote grazing areas, cattle guard wings ensure a reliable and complete containment solution.

  • Prevents walk-arounds: Stops livestock from bypassing the cattle guard at the fence connection
  • Easy bolt-on installation: No special tools or fabrication required
  • Rugged construction: Built from durable steel to withstand weather and livestock pressure
  • Secure fencing interface: Enables seamless connection of fencing directly to the guard structure

picture of cattle guard wing
When used alongside a properly installed cattle guard, wings complete the barrier and ensure your livestock stays safely contained. They’re a smart, affordable investment for enhancing farm security, simplifying fence layout, and reducing the need for constant supervision of fence lines near roadway crossings.

Pre-Cast Concrete Cattle Guard Foundations

Ensure a secure and long-lasting installation with pre-cast concrete foundations for flat top rail cattle guards. These heavy-duty footings are engineered to provide a solid base where poured concrete may not be practical. They offer a drop-in-place solution that saves both time and labor while providing excellent structural support.

Benefits of Pre-Cast Concrete Foundations

  • Time-Saving: Eliminates the need for on-site mixing, forming, and curing
  • Durable Construction: Built to withstand heavy loads and daily wear
  • Easy Installation: Ready-to-use—just position in a prepared trench and place your guard
  • Consistent Quality: Manufactured in controlled environments for maximum strength and reliability

Cattle Guards

Installation Made Easy

To install, place the pre-cast footing in a leveled trench or graded base, then position your cattle guard directly on top. Backfill the surrounding area, and your installation is complete—no drying time or concrete formwork needed. Their robust structure ensures long-term performance, even in rugged or uneven terrain.

Why Choose Pre-Cast Foundations?

When reliability and installation speed matter, pre-cast concrete foundations provide a dependable base that’s built to last. Ideal for remote installations, areas with restricted access to concrete mixing, or any project where convenience and strength are a priority.

Whether you’re installing a new cattle guard or upgrading an existing system, pre-cast foundations and cattle guard wings help ensure a secure, complete, and professional livestock barrier solution.

For help with selecting the right accessories or to get a quote, call, email, or chat with Barn World today!

Barn World (720) 238-2190 | Sales@BarnWorld.com | BarnWorld.com

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