Fencing for horses and other animals...

MikePA · Jul 22, 2004

I hope you don't mind me asking some questions on electrical fence (right term?).
No problem. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif They're usually referred to as electric fences, at least that's what I call them.

How bad is the shock?
Depends on how well grounded you are. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif From the same fence, the shock has ranged from being so mild, that I've wondered if it was on to the other extreme where the shock generated some involuntary exclamatory phrases.

If the shock is designed for large animals, what about people who weigh only a fraction of cow or horse?
The shock is designed to get their attention and create an association in the animals mind of 'If I touch that wire/tape, it hurts. So I stay away."

How do I keep my neighbors (or their children) from touching it?
You can't. I have warning signs attached to every other fence post where people might come in contact with it.

Is there a double fence system, one keeping animals in and the other keeping people out?
While a double fence is possible to do, I've never heard of anyone doing this. Remember, this isn't like the fence in Jurassic Park. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif You aren't running 50,000 volts through it.

Sorry for asking too many questions. Thank you for your help in advance.
No problem and you're welcome.

BTW, doc - I've had electric tape from horseguardfence installed for over 10 years. No deterioration. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

cowboydoc · Jul 22, 2004

Mike pretty much went through it all very well. I have a 6 and 8 year old and they regularly get shocked by the fence. It will sting them a second and that's it. It's not life threatening by any means.

Kudos to you on the fence tape Mike. I haven't seen anyone have fence tape up that long without it falling down, looking terrible, or getting shorts in it.

DAP · Jul 22, 2004

I would not use vinyl fencing of any sort for horses.

Mark


( Why not? I see it used for horse pastures quite often. I think the logic is that the vinyl rails are flexible and if a horse bolts through the fence they will just pop out of the posts rather than staying rigid and injuring the animal. )

Regarding Vinyl fencing, assuming you're willing to pony up (pun intended) the additional cost, you must take into consideration your climate.

If you've got 'Winter" where winter means Snow, Ice, Howling winds and prolonged freezes, I've seen the vinyl shatter in cold spells.

Also, and often overlooked, never make 45 degree corners in your paddocks, especially if they are smaller fields. I've never tried softening the corners with vinyl boards, but I bet it would difficult.

The alphas can trap other members in these corners and all hell can break loose, easily resulting in broken fences AND horses.

Here's a look at our 4 board/batten. Note the corners. The posts are PT pine at 8 ft. with 4 board Oak, untreated. This is a 20 year fence with low maintenance. There is also an inside batten on each post where boards butt up against each other.

This was approx. 8$ a foot 2 years ago. It's strong, durable and is equal to or superior to the eye.

In the background, is Penny, a Quarter/Percherone blend. Sweet, scared, and 1400 lbs of thundering love. Everyone up here who sees her wants to Team Pen her. I guess they figure she'll scare the daylights outta the bovines.

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Mogombus · Jul 22, 2004

( If the shock is designed for large animals, what about people who weigh only a fraction of cow or horse? How do I keep my neighbors (or their children) from touching it)

I always test an electric fence by touching it when installing a new controller, maybe I'm just twisted but I want to know what the animals are going to feel.

Regarding keeping folks from touching the hot wire: I use warning signs that you hang right on a strand of wire and also brightly colored plastic ribbons (that's mainly so the horse see the fence though). I still get overly curious neighbors (and their kids/grandkids) grabbing the fence once in a while... but they only do it once! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Mogombus · Jul 22, 2004

( Remember, this isn't like the fence in Jurassic Park. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif You aren't running 50,000 volts through it.)

My controller puts out ~9,000 volts! Thankfully it's low amperage though (as all are).

Mogombus · Jul 22, 2004

( I haven't seen anyone have fence tape up that long without it falling down, looking terrible, or getting shorts in it.)

Therein lies the beauty of tape... easy and cheap to runs new strands! I'd rather spend an afternoon running a few new tape strands than spend a couple weeks painting wood fencing!

cowboydoc · Jul 22, 2004

Put up high tensile or coated high tensile and you won't have to replace it for 50 - 100 years. It's easy to run, a couple cents a foot, and is virtually repair and maintenance free. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif I sure agree about a wooden fence!!

Mogombus · Jul 22, 2004

( Put up high tensile or coated high tensile)

All the equine people around this area aren't too fond of high tensile wire (we call it New Zealand fencing) as it will shred a horse that runs through it.

I'm still tempted to use it though when we re-fence our pastures soon. We've only got a few non-hyper Arabians to contend with (no studs).

cowboydoc · Jul 22, 2004

I hear this all the time but I have rarely seen a horse injured from it. Most of the injuries come from people who only put up one or two strands. Yes this will definitely cause some problems. We always put up 6 or more strands. I have literally had dozens of horses and cattle hit the high tensile at a full run and not gotten anything more than a scratch from it. They usually just bounce off it. Once in awhile a strand may break but not very often. I've had more horses get hurt from going through or over board fences than high tensile. I've also had quite a few horses get caught up in the mesh fencing. The high tensile works for us. There are certainly many ways to fence and many people have had good results with a number of ways. The only thing I would not have is barb wire.

kensfarm · Jul 22, 2004

Poor lady at work had a neighbor replace a wooden fence w/ high tensile that was on her property w/out her knowing it.. not sure how many strands.. but one of her horses got caught up in it.. cut the horses hoof almost off.. I believe she had to put it down.. it probably didn't have any streamers hanging off the wire either.