How to Mark and Drill End Posts for Your Horse Fence
Once your posts are set — corners, ends, and line posts — the next critical step in your Cameo™ Horse Fence installation is properly marking and drilling your end posts.
In Episode 4 of the Cameo™ Installation Skill Builder series, Clayton walks through exactly how to drill an end post correctly so your fence lines are straight, clean, and built for long-term performance.
If this step is done right, everything that follows becomes easier.
Why End Post Drilling Matters
Your end posts carry tension. They anchor your fence lines and hold everything tight.
Improper drilling can cause:
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Misaligned wire runs
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Weak hardware seating
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Excessive strain on components
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Uneven fence appearance
When drilled correctly, your Cameo™ strands and Cameo Pulse™ lines will:
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Sit perfectly level
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Maintain clean spacing
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Install faster
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Perform longer
Tools You’ll Need
Clayton keeps it simple. You don’t need specialty tools or expensive bits.
Here’s what’s required:
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3/8" drill bit (approx. 12")
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3/4" drill bit
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Standard electric drill
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Story pole (recommended)
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Tape (wrapped 2" up on the 3/4" bit as a depth marker)
Pro Tip from Clayton:
Skip the expensive auger bits.
Standard, inexpensive drill bits work just fine. Auger bits:
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Draw more power
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Heat up quickly
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Add unnecessary wear on your drill
Simple tools get the job done.
Step 1: Use a Story Pole for Perfect Layout
Cameo strongly recommends using a story pole.
The story pole:
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Matches the 52" post height standard
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Has pre-measured marks for:
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End posts
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Corner posts
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Line posts
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Eliminates measuring mistakes
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Speeds up layout dramatically
Because your posts are set at exactly 52 inches, the story pole fits perfectly without adjustment.
No guesswork.
No recalculating.
No tape measure needed (except to confirm post height).
Step 2: Find and Mark the Center of the Post
Before marking wire locations:
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Stand directly in line with your fence run.
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Mark the center of the post at the top.
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Mark the center at the bottom.
This ensures:
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Your story pole is perfectly centered
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Your holes drill straight
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Your fence line stays aligned
This is a small step that prevents big problems later.
Step 3: Mark All Six Wire Locations
For a standard six-line Cameo fence:
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4 lines of Cameo™
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2 lines of Cameo Pulse™
Using the end post markings on the story pole:
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Mark all six line locations.
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Identify which lines are Pulse lines.
Clayton recommends marking the Pulse lines with a “P” so you don’t mix them up.
In a six-line setup:
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Top line = Pulse
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Second from bottom = Pulse
The remaining four lines are standard Cameo strands.
Step 4: Drill the Four Through-Holes (Cameo Lines)
Using your 3/8" bit, drill the four Cameo strand holes completely through the post.
Important tips:
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Drill straight in line with your fence direction.
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Keep the drill level — not too high or low.
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Stay centered.
These four holes must go all the way through the post.
Step 5: Hollow Out the Back Side for One-Way Vices
Switch to your 3/4" drill bit.
These holes need to be hollowed out approximately 2 inches deep on the back side only.
That’s why Clayton wraps tape 2 inches up the bit and it acts as a depth stop.
This creates space for:
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One-way vice hardware
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Proper seating of tension components
Only the back side needs hollowing, not the entire post.
Step 6: Drill Starter Holes for Cameo Pulse™
Switch back to your 3/8" bit.
Now drill the two Pulse holes from the back side only.
Important:
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These holes DO NOT go all the way through.
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You’re only drilling 3–4 inches deep.
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This creates a pilot hole for the insulator screw.
The insulator will seat directly into the wood.
You’re not drilling pass-through holes for Pulse.
Why This System Works
This drilling method ensures:
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Clean alignment of all six lines
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Proper hardware seating
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Reduced post splitting
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Strong tension support
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Professional-level installation results
When every end post is drilled consistently, your entire fence run looks clean and uniform.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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❌ Drilling off-center
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❌ Not marking Pulse lines clearly
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❌ Drilling Pulse holes all the way through
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❌ Over-drilling beyond 2" on the 3/4" bit
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❌ Using oversized or unnecessary auger bits
Precision beats force every time.
Ready for the Next Step?
Once your end posts are drilled, you're ready to move on to:
Marking and drilling line posts and corner posts — which Clayton covers in the next episode of the Cameo™ Installation Skill Builder series.
Each step builds on the last, making installation straightforward and repeatable.
Final Thoughts
Marking and drilling end posts may seem like a small part of the installation process — but it sets the foundation for proper wire tension, alignment, and long-term fence performance.
With:
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Proper center marking
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A story pole
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Standard drill bits
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Clean drilling technique
You can prep an end post in just minutes.
Done right, your Cameo™ Horse Fence installs faster, looks better, and performs exactly as designed.