Electric Fencing & Foal

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Hannahharper1982

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Hi Guys

I've just acquired a new foal to keep my 3yr old welsh D company. I have 2 strands of electric tape - 1 strand running along the top of the posts as the welsh likes to nibble the tops and then another strand running along about halfway down the post. My energiser states is will electrify up to 3 miles (its a 2 acre meadow currently only half electrified as half is being rested) of tape, the 12v battery is fully charged.

Whilst the Welsh has utmost respect for the electric (he only has to see the tape flutter and he's off) the new foal seems to be completely immune to it and has twice barged through the taped off section where the standing area is! (i know its working as it zapped me yesterday eve!)

Sorry the post is a bit long winded, but does anyone have any useful tips for teaching foalie electric tape is to be respected?

Thanks in advance!
 
Yearlings onwards would probably be okay if they're introduced to it. Electric fencing is not a fencing choice I make for any age horses but I realise the convenience of it for other people.
 
Thanks SpringFeather :)

I already have it on the top line of my permanent fencing, this was done before my BOGOF arrived :) He has learnt to respect that, luckily, as his mum and 'aunty' stay away and he's had one or two zaps that he wasn't impressed with :o
 
Skyebald said:
Thanks SpringFeather :)

I already have it on the top line of my permanent fencing, this was done before my BOGOF arrived :) He has learnt to respect that, luckily, as his mum and 'aunty' stay away and he's had one or two zaps that he wasn't impressed with :o
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That's not a problem - it's where it's used as a primary method of fencing that is often thought a problem.
 
Yes thanks Amymay , I may need to split a paddock at some point .. hopefully he will have learned to respect it when I do by having this 'taster' . That won't be until next spring tho
 
I have never used electric fencing with foals in the field, it's a very dangerous combination as they just don't get it. A foal could cut himself to bits or sustain a fracture wrapped up in lengths of it, it's just not worth the risk.
 
Thanks for your replies - can i just say that the electric tape is not the primary fencing, we have post and rail, but it is a requirement of the field livery that all fencing is electrified to stop fences being damage but horses scratching/pushing etc on.

With regard to the section i have taped off round the hard standing - i think after the comments made i may have to look into a permenant type of fencing round this area to be on the safe side
 
Our farm is mainly electric, but mains which is probably the difference. Our foals learn from day one fences bite and are much more likely to be seen in the middle of the field not testing the boundaries. We always have back fencing though as I have seen more damage done if horses can touch from different field.
Had this system for 24years with very few problems.
 
We moved our foal into a field with electric fencing just before weaning. The first thing he did was misjudge his stop when he came galloping up to it and as the ground was wet skidded right into it. A few hair raising seconds followed as he tried to back up getting repeatedly zapped! He was very sensible and instead of struggling and pushing more into it he managed to recover himself and get away from the fence. Could have been nasty. We added two more strands to the fence (white tape) and he was fine after that. Didn't do it again.
 
Bit confused by some of the replies.

I have fencing OCD due to a horrific degloving last year but use post and wire fencing (electric) for my mares and foals (quite happily). My vet uses post and electric rope which he says foals seem to be safer with. I've never had a problem, However it is off the mains, it is very good and I don't rug them. Do you have a rug on? BTW I would NEVER use poles and tape with the youngsters and actually will only use poles and tape in the summer (no wind) if I absolutely have to.
 
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