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The Solution Section (FAQ)
Who is Lucas Equine Equipment — and what's the history?
Per Lucas Equine Equipment: takes its name from Mr. Lucas who started a company in Cynthiana that built paddock gates for the local horse farms in nearby Lexington, Kentucky. Per the company: in 1981, Dana Looker purchased Mr. Lucas' business with a three-man welding shop and set a goal to provide quality custom-manufactured gates, doors, and grills.
Today: 31 full-time employees, 70,000 square-foot facility, and a reputation for excellence unparalleled in manufacturing.
Why choose Lucas for entry gates?
Per Lucas Equine Equipment: for over 44 years, designing and crafting custom entrance gates for homeowners, farms, and ranches nationwide. Team of experts collaborates closely to bring the client's vision to life.
Company motto: "If you can sketch it on a napkin, we can build it."
Are ALL entry gates custom?
Per Lucas Equine: YES — every gate is custom-designed to meet the unique needs and preferences of each client. Personalize:
- Size
- Color
- Material
- Logos or lettering
Per the company: ensures the gate perfectly matches your style and vision.
What if I have a unique design?
Per Lucas Equine Equipment: "We can make and design you dream up — remember, 'If you can sketch it on a napkin, we can build it.'" Per the company: nationally known for the ability to bring designs to reality, second to none.
How do I order?
Per Lucas Equine Equipment: Phone 888-577-6920, email [email protected], website https://www.lucasequine.com/. Pricing varies by gate complexity, size, and custom features; pricing as quoted is subject to change.
Who makes the Entry Gates sold under this listing?
They are made by Lucas Equine Equipment, a custom equine equipment manufacturer based in Cynthiana, Kentucky. The company is best known for its high-end horse stalls, stall doors and grills, and it builds entrance and paddock gates with the same craftsmanship. Lucas Equine has been in business since 1981 and serves customers in more than 40 countries.
Where is Lucas Equine Equipment located?
Lucas Equine Equipment is located at 4161 US Highway 27 South, Cynthiana, KY 41031, in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass horse country near Lexington, the Horse Capital of the World. All fabrication happens at its nearly 70,000-square-foot Cynthiana facility. You can reach the company by phone at +1 859-234-6920.
How did the company get its name and how old is it?
The company takes its name from Mr. Lucas, who originally built paddock gates for the horse farms around Lexington, Kentucky. In 1981, Dana E. Looker purchased that business and relaunched it with a three-person welding shop focused on quality custom gates, doors and grills. With more than 45 years of experience, Lucas Equine has grown from that small shop into a nearly 70,000-square-foot manufacturer.
What styles of entrance gates does Lucas Equine offer?
Lucas Equine builds both ornamental and farm-style entrance gates. Ornamental options feature decorative scrollwork, arched and curved tops, circular medallions, grid and X-pattern crossbars, and custom monograms. Farm-style gates use horizontal rails and vertical pickets, and configurations include single swing gates, double swing gates and gates mounted between stone, brick or wooden pillars.
What materials are the gates made from?
Entrance gates are fabricated primarily from heavy steel finished as black ornamental iron, the most common look, though brown, white and blue-gray painted finishes and dark-wood slat panels are also offered. Accent hardware can be specified in brass, stainless steel or oil-rubbed bronze. Paddock gates are built from 14-gauge steel, which is stronger and longer-lasting than the 19-gauge gates common in the market.
What finishes and colors are available?
Lucas Equine finishes its gates in an in-house coating shop staffed by coatings specialists, so the finish quality is controlled in the same building where the gate is built. The company offers a vast array of color choices plus custom color matching, meaning a gate can be matched to a farm's existing fencing, barn trim or branding. Galvanized options are also available for paddock applications where corrosion resistance matters most.
Can the gates be motorized or automated?
Yes. While Lucas Equine focuses on designing and fabricating the gate itself, the company can connect customers with excellent providers of electric gate operators for automated, motorized entries. This lets owners add keypad, remote or sensor-driven opening to a custom-built gate. It is a good idea to discuss automation early so the gate is engineered for the operator you plan to use.
What sizes do paddock gates come in?
Lucas Equine recommends sizing paddock gates by intended use. A 6' to 8' gate is usually sufficient for horse turnout areas and small farm equipment, an 8' gate suits small mowers, bush hogs and manure spreaders, a 10' gate handles half-ton trucks, a 12' gate accommodates feed trucks, and a 16' gate is recommended for farms running hay equipment. Their design experts help you select the right width for your operation.
Why does 14-gauge steel matter for a paddock gate?
Lucas Equine builds its paddock gates from 14-gauge steel, which is thicker and stronger than the 19-gauge steel used in many off-the-shelf farm gates. Heavier gauge resists bending, sagging and damage from horses leaning, pushing or being turned out repeatedly through the same opening. For a high-traffic spot where horses congregate, that extra strength translates directly into a longer service life and better safety.
Are these gates custom-designed?
Yes, custom design is central to Lucas Equine's approach. The company keeps an in-house architect and full CAD capabilities, designing in AutoCAD and Inventor so customers can review renderings before fabrication begins. Decorative elements such as name plaques, monogram medallions, arched tops and bespoke scrollwork can be incorporated into a one-of-a-kind gate. Design experts guide the process from concept to finished product.
Which farms use Lucas Equine entrance gates?
Some of the most prestigious Thoroughbred operations in the country trust Lucas Equine to design and build their entrances, including Spendthrift Farm, Ashford Stud, Lane's End Farm, Shadwell Farm, Spy Coast Farm and Darley USA Farms. These are world-class breeding and racing operations where presentation and security both matter. That client list reflects the level of finish the company brings to every gate.
Are Lucas Equine gates made in the USA?
Yes. Every gate is designed, fabricated, welded, machined and finished in-house at the company's manufacturing facility in Cynthiana, Kentucky. Keeping the entire process under one roof, from CAD design through powder coating, lets Lucas Equine control quality at every step. The company emphasizes exceptional design, expert craftsmanship and flawless finishes.
Do entrance gates add security as well as curb appeal?
Yes. Lucas Equine describes its custom-made entrance gates as designed to give your property a touch of elegance and help secure your property from unwanted visitors. A gate marks a clear, controlled entry point while serving as the first impression of the farm. When paired with electric operators, it can become a fully controlled access point at the property line.
How are the gates mounted?
Entrance gates are most commonly configured as double swing gates and are frequently mounted between stone or brick pillars, though single swing gates and gates hung on wooden posts are also offered. The mounting approach is part of the custom design, so the gate, hinges and pillar interface are engineered together. Optional on-site installation supervision is available to ensure proper hanging and operation.
How do I get a quote or start a custom gate project?
Contact Lucas Equine Equipment directly at +1 859-234-6920 or at 4161 US Highway 27 South, Cynthiana, KY 41031. The website, lucasequine.com, offers an Ask an Expert resource and the StallBuilder tool to begin a design conversation, and the in-house design team will help you choose style, size, finish and hardware. Because each gate is custom, pricing depends on the specific design, materials and size you select.
Does Lucas Equine ship gates outside Kentucky?
Yes. Lucas Equine maintains shipping and logistics experts on staff and has delivered its products to customers in more than 40 countries across multiple continents. Whether the project is a local Bluegrass farm or an international operation, the company coordinates delivery from its Cynthiana facility. Optional on-site installation supervision can also be arranged for larger projects.
What else does Lucas Equine make besides gates?
Beyond entrance and paddock gates, Lucas Equine Equipment manufactures a full range of equine barn components, including stall doors and grills, high and low stall fronts, stall partitions and screens, exterior and Dutch doors, aisle entry doors, crosshatch mesh, barn windows, railing, a mini stall system, Kraft horse walkers and a wide selection of hardware and accessories. Stalls and doors are the company's flagship products. The gates carry the same materials, finishes and craftsmanship found throughout the catalog.
