But fences do, of course, have other components. Fence posts are prominent enough in one fence style to warrant inclusion in the very name of the style: "post-and-rail" fences.
The post-and-rail fence style may be grouped under the more general heading of "ranch-style" or "horse" fences. Originally designed to contain livestock (especially horses), post-and-rail fences usually have 2-4 rails (i.e., the horizontal components). True to their practical origins, ranch-style fences are less work to construct than the more decorative fences: they are sparer, lacking vertical boards that have to be nailed up.
But despite their humble origins, post-and-rail fences are popular choices today in people's landscapes. They offer an airiness for homeowners who want a fence but don't want to be overwhelmed with the feeling of being "fenced in." Like picket-style fences and baluster-style fences, post-and-rail vinyl fences are supplanting their wooden counterparts in some neighborhoods.
In the next fence picture, you'll see a specific type of post-and-rail fence....