Umair Gaines
Planning an electric fence layout for horses requires careful consideration of various factors to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the fence. The layout design process involves determining the size and type of horses that will be grazing, selecting suitable materials such as fence posts, conductors, and insulators, and deciding on the appropriate height and number of wires for the fence. It is crucial to introduce horses gradually to the electric fence, starting with the power off to prevent accidental shocks and allowing them to explore the boundaries. The choice between temporary or permanent fencing systems, as well as the number of brace corners and the spacing of fence posts, are also important aspects of planning an electric fence layout for horses.
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right fence posts
The type of horse you have will also impact the equipment you need. If you plan on grazing stallions, you may want to use more strands of wire and higher fences than you would for Shetlands or foals.
When installing your fence posts, make sure they are not too close together but not more than 40 feet apart. You can use a line of heavy string as a guide to set your posts, ensuring it is no more than 2 feet off the ground.
After installing the fence posts, brace the corners and gates to reinforce them. Then, mount the insulators on the posts and run the wire between them.
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Selecting a fencing conductor
Type of Conductor
The type of fencing conductor you choose depends on the behaviour of your horses. If your horses are more prone to escaping, a thicker conductor such as electric tape is preferable as it can help deter them. Electric tape is also recommended for its visibility and lower risk of injury compared to wire conductors. Wire conductors, commonly used for other animals like livestock, can be unsafe for horses. Lightweight rope conductors are a suitable option for well-behaved horses as they are easier to assemble and more convenient if you plan to move your fencing around.
Height and Spacing
The height of the fence is an important consideration as horses are naturally good jumpers. For full-grown horses, the electric fence should be at a height of 135 cm, with secondary wires at 100 cm and 65 cm. For ponies and younger horses, the recommended height is 115 cm with additional strands at 3-4 m. The distance between conductors is crucial to preventing horses from jumping through the fence. Additionally, ensure that the spacing between posts is not too large, as it can cause the conductor to sag and reduce its effectiveness. For permanent fencing, posts should be 7-9 m apart, while for temporary fencing, 3-4 m spacing is recommended.
Material
The material of the conductor wire is an important consideration for the longevity of your electric fence. Copper wires, for example, are susceptible to corrosion and oxidation, which reduces voltage over time and diminishes the fence's effectiveness. Stainless steel wires, on the other hand, do not corrode and can provide a longer lifespan for your fence system.
Safety
When selecting a fencing conductor, consider safety features to protect your horses. For instance, Gallagher has developed a cord conductor with a soft-touch coating that breaks if a horse runs into the fence. This woven product is designed to be quick and simple to install, reducing the risk of injury to your horses.
Maintenance
To maintain the effectiveness of your electric fence, ensure that your conductor is properly tensioned. Pull the conductor through the end tensioner to remove any slack, but avoid over-tightening as this can cause the conductor to snap. For fences longer than 1000 feet, use end tensioners at both ends.
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Installing insulators
Insulators are important to install as they keep the electricity in the wires and away from the posts. The type of fence wire you purchase will determine the type of insulator you need, as manufacturers will usually include and design insulators tailored to their products. The most common are insulators that allow braided or rope-style fencing enough space to slide through, helping to avoid rubbing.
Before installing insulators, you should first set up your electric charger near an AC outlet or a solar charger in a sunny spot. Then, install at least one grounding post that's 6 feet or longer near the charger using a post-hole digger. Next, run a grounding wire from the charger to all of the grounding posts. After installing the fence posts, brace the corners and gates to reinforce them.
Now you can mount the insulators on the posts. You should have one insulator per line per gate/end post. Wrap the Maxi-Grunt around the insulator wheel and bring it back to itself. Connect the two lines using two electric line connectors. Repeat this for each end/gate insulator and line of Maxi-Grunt.
Finally, cut off any excess line. Use electrical tape to wrap the loose end of the Maxi-Grunt to itself. Connect the lines with underground wire, cutting a strip just slightly longer than the space between each Maxi-Grunt line. Strip back the coating on the underground wire (about 4-5 inches) and wrap it around the Maxi-Grunt line three to four times. Around this connection, secure with two U-clamps.
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Using an energiser
There are a few different types of energisers available, including mains-powered, 12V and 9V battery-powered, and solar-powered energisers. You can also purchase dual power options that combine solar power with battery or mains power. It is important to select an energiser that is suitable for the size of the area you want to cover. Different chargers are optimised for different lengths of wire, so check with your supplier to make sure the charger will work with the planned length of wire for your enclosure.
To install your energiser, start by connecting the underground wire to the electric current. Use the End/Gate post closest to your energiser and allow enough length to bury the wire underground. Strip back 4-5 inches of the coated covering and wrap it around the fence terminal on your unit. Bury your ground rods to a depth of 6 feet, spacing them 10 feet apart. Connect the energiser to the ground rods by cutting a piece of underground wire long enough to reach the first rod, stripping back 4-5 inches of coating, and wrapping it around the rod. Secure it with a ground rod clamp and continue this process through to the last rod. Ensure all connections are tight and secure.
To avoid electric shocks, do not turn on the power or connect to the power source until the fence is complete. It is also important to work with your horse to learn the boundaries that the electric fencing has created. Lead your horse around the perimeter of the paddock with the power off, then switch on the fence and allow your horse to explore.
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Introducing your horse to the fence
Once you've installed an electric fence, it's crucial to properly introduce each horse to the fenced area. The key priority is visibility—horses must be able to see the fence from a distance, even at a gallop, so they can slow down and avoid it. Place flags or white tape at regular intervals along the fence line to improve visibility. Always introduce horses to the fence in daylight, avoiding low-light conditions.
When introducing your horse to the fence, start by leading them slowly and deliberately around the perimeter with the power turned off for safety. This acquaints the horse with its new boundary. Then, turn the power on and allow the horse to explore the area and fence on its own. It's best to do this with one horse at a time, without other horses present. Stand outside the fenced area to ensure safety. Avoid holding the horse as it explores the fence—it's natural for horses to test boundaries, and you want to observe their behaviour when they receive a shock. The desired reaction is for the horse to recoil from the fence, which usually happens after only a shock or two.
After training, always keep the power on for consistent training and safety. Horses are intelligent and quickly learn to respect electric fences. They have thin hides, and when well-groomed and shod, they will feel a safe, more intense shock. With careful training, your horses will respect the electric fence and remain safely contained inside the enclosure.
To prevent nuisance shocks, avoid placing water troughs, hay, or grain pails close to the fence. Additionally, ensure your fence is appropriately grounded. A well-grounded fence delivers a safe shock, and a horse's metal shoes can help with grounding.
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Frequently asked questions
First, decide on the size of your paddock and the height of your fence. The type of horse you have will impact the equipment you need, for example, you may need more strands of wire for stallions than for Shetlands or foals. Next, choose your fencing system, whether that be permanent or temporary, and gather your equipment. Finally, install your fence posts, attach insulators, and connect the fencing conductor (tape, rope, or wire).
Electric fencing is a quick, affordable, and easy way to set up a turnout area for your horse. It can also protect existing fencing from damage as it deters horses from rubbing against it and helps to stop habits such as cribbing. However, it is important to ensure that your fencing is safe and does not cause accidental shocks to your horse, which could adversely affect their well-being.
It is important to introduce your horse to a newly installed electric fence. First, place flags or tapes along the fence to make it more visible. Then, lead your horse around the perimeter of the paddock with the power off, before switching on the fence and allowing your horse to explore independently.
