Electric fencing advice

[WelshRareBit]

Am thinking of putting electric fencing up this winter as the two biggies in my field (both 17hh+) stretch over the barbed wire (grr) and eat the neighbouring fields grass! The smaller ones have also started doing this but with a little less damage to their rugs!

This results in massive damage to our rugs, and obviously end up in us buying more rugs than we'd like to!

So have been thinking of putting up some electric where needed - would it be advisable to turn them out without rugs for a day to learn their lessons or do you think its just worth popping it up and letting them get on with it? Not sure if Id have to run one low to get the zap on their legs??

 

[william99]

i would leave there rugs off for a day so they get a good shock then they will be fine

 

[kerilli]

umm... it needs to go up before they're out with big nz rugs and hoods, obv. one day out naked and a good zap each will teach them.
i would just put a strand of tape at about 3' + ish, not lower, tbh.

 

[rema]

Hello.I have a 17hh also and he would either just walk through electric fencing or lean over it.So i got 4ft fence posts and touch wood he hasent gone through it or leant over it!.

 

[happihorse]

Ditto the comment about not putting the wire too low - they are likely to get their legs in it and cause a disaster!

 

[Selkie]

We have a 16.2hh and have put wire inside the top of the fence and run it off the mains electric fencer. Turned out with their rugs on and no damaged rugs

 

[catembi]

Electric fence worked really well with my last horse, who used to graze over the barbed wire & shred his rugs (and then shredded himself one day which is why we bought our own place).

But my new horse doesn't give a c**p about it, even naked, & walks thru it like it's not there. We tried to fence off some dodgy post & rail to keep him away from it, but even with 2 strands he didn't care, so we've had to fork out for a load of new post & rail.

 

[flyingfeet]

Depends on what kit you are using

We always use main fencers, and have recently got a new one which produces a strong shock (there are only 2 units bigger, which are recommended for elephants!!)

Never had a horse going through our fencing when on, rugs or no. Downside is that if you touch it, you get heart palpitations.....

 

[WelshRareBit]

Sounds perfect CSJ - that'll teach the horrors to rip their rugs! Although I wonder (excuse my ignorance) but we're a bit far from a mains plug...
If Ive said something totally blonde please dont kill me!

 

[kerilli]

you can get pretty powerful ones that run off a car battery. i've never had a horse ignore it, put it that way!