Electric Horse Fence: Easy And Inexpensive

The shock that's delivered isn't enough to cause harm but it is enough to create a serious aversion. The wires themselves are not strong enough to contain your horse, but the fear of a shock will keep him from pushing or scratching against it. Electric wire fence is also used in conjunction with wood, vinyl or no-climb fence to reduce wear and tear.

There are other types of electric horse fence that utilize metal and plastic rope or tape instead of wire.

One of the primary benefits of electric wire fencing is cost. It is often 1/4 the cost per foot of other materials.

It is also easy to install on any kind of terrain. Metal line posts can often be set by hand. It makes a great temporary fencing solution, too.

Solar and battery fence chargers are available that make installation of temporary or remote electric wire horse fence easy.

Some tips to ensure that electric wire fence works for you and your horse:

Voltage checks: Regular power checks are a must. If the voltage gets low, the shock value may decrease. Your horse may begin to ignore the fence.

Reality checks: Electric wire horse fence is a psychological barrier, not a physical one. A spooked horse can run through it, especially if they are not familiar with it. Be vigilant during the first few days in an unfamiliar pasture or paddock.

Lead your horse around the perimeter of any new fence line. Don't let them touch the line because they could bolt. Once they're familiar with the boundary lines, allow them to explore the line on their own. It's best to do this while your horse is calm. Horses will usually respect the line after just one shock.

Visibility checks: Your horse needs to see the fence. Don't let weeds grow onto or over the wire. This can also drain the voltage.

When shopping for an electric wire horse fence, pay careful attention to the charger. It's the most important part of your system. But a larger charger than you need. This will prevent voltage drains and allow for expansion.

Wire can be aluminum or steel. Aluminum is more visible and easier to work with. Steel is stronger. Both are measured as the AWG (gauge) of the wire used. Lower numbers indicate thicker (and stronger) wire. Most are rated between 9 and 16.

Electric wire horse fence requires little maintenance: Check the voltage at several points every week and regularly trim back weeds.

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