Electric Fencing around Arena?

[stealthninja]

I am shifting the ponies to a new field shortly. I would like to fence off part of it to make an arena as since having Tia PTS before Xmas my confidence has taken a real knock and I haven't even dared to ride Toby since - ive booked an instructor to come and give me some lessons she says I need an enclosed area to ride in.

So the field is an L shape. The long vertical side of the L is bordered by a deep fast moving river. Currently there is no fence along it. Near the bottom of the L (in the corner where vertical and horizontal meet) is a large over-ground drainage pipe and between that and the fence is an area of 30 x 50 which I was thinking might be a good place to make a school, as im unlikely to let the horses in it unsupervised.

However I cant afford to post & rail the whole lot and wondered if electric fencing would work OK? On or not? Or would I be better trying to post & Rail the bottom bit, or move the arena to the top of the L - where its wider and therefore less close to the river

Id also be riding on grass so is it better to use an area where they never graze or one where they can?

 

[NellRosk]

I think it would work there's just the risk of if you get chucked into the fence and getting electrocuted! I was once riding a shettie bareback in an electric fenced field and he took off, ducked under the fence and I got caught up in it. It wasn't fun

 

[stealthninja]

Oh god don't tell me that! I touched the fence one by accident slipped and grabbed for the nearest thing - never ever again! I was more worried about falling into the river Tobes is pretty good at avoiding electric fencing he certainly respects it but then wonder how well riding him in a fence where hes determined not to go near will go. Certainly will improve my steering!

 

[NellRosk]

It's awful isn't it! Yeah the river probably poses a bigger hazard to your health, if it's your only option I'd say go for it! If you show your horses it'll get them used to the tape that goes around rings

 

[CobsGalore]

We did this at a field we rented, and it worked perfectly.

If you think there is a chance of you being chucked off and landing on the fencing, then switch it off while you ride!

The only thing I found, was that when it was windy the spookier horses didn't like going in there as the tape used to flap about a bit.

We sectioned off an area, but let them in to graze it once a week or so during the summer to keep the grass down.

We also got some letter markings and put them in their too for when we had lessons.

 

[Goldenstar]

I have a grass arena and it's fenced with electric fencing ,it is on wooden posts .
The horses work fine we do turn it off during work just in case .

 

[Dubsie]

We've always used electric fencing as it means we can move it about the flat bit of the field. Always turn it off when using the 'arena'

 

[Shoei]

We did this at a field we rented, and it worked perfectly.

If you think there is a chance of you being chucked off and landing on the fencing, then switch it off while you ride!

The only thing I found, was that when it was windy the spookier horses didn't like going in there as the tape used to flap about a bit.

We sectioned off an area, but let them in to graze it once a week or so during the summer to keep the grass down.

We also got some letter markings and put them in their too for when we had lessons.

Electric fencing hurts less than falling on to post and rail in my unlucky experience!

 

[stealthninja]

ha yes turn it off when in it sounds like the sensible plan!

Im thinking of putting in wooden posts at the corners and in the middle of each side just give it a bit of tension which will hopefully help with the flapping around! Tobes doesn't like the wind so flapping electric fence and wind will finish him off

 

[kerrieberry2]

I would use the electric fencing without even worrying about it! sure a shock would hurt less than landing on wood anyway haha

not sure you'll get much riding in any field in this weather though? surely it will be churned up in 10 mins! and has the river not burst its banks yet?

 

[stealthninja]

At the min the fields are lovely and nice and solid. They have a substantial amount of hardcore underneath the soil and grass and so far is draining really well. The river is also being a superstar, its very fast moving, and there is a flood plain the other side of the river which is lower than my field so so far touch wood we are managing!

 

[webble]

Hmm might not be the best idea. I was riding in a school with electric fencing and the youngster I was on tried to leave by barging her way through the tape. Luckily it was off and she ucked her way free - still scary though

 

[Bennions Field]

I have electric fencing around my menage, it is aprox 2ft away from the edge of the surface though, and I have wooden posts about 10-12ft apart, I use 40mm wide brown tape and two strands so to be honest it looks very like post and rail. My lot just lean on wood fencing and 'ping' the rails so electric was my only real option. I do turn it off when I ride/lunge in there as its safer to land on ! Just make sure its tensioned tightly and it will stop most of the flapping in the wind ;-)