The height of rails on a ranch rail fence depends on the particular style of fence. Most commonly, the bottom rails are set 13.5” above ground. Then every rail is set 11” on top of the next. The top rail finishes off about 2” from the top of the fence post. While a three-rail ranch fence is the most popular style used around properties, two-rail fences are common in front of homes and four-rail ranch fences are used in areas where taller fences are needed to keep horses in.