fencing advice, now needs to be doggie proof, aaargh!

[custard]

Right have decided to opt for very sturdy two rail post and rail 4' high and backed up by two rows of electric tape . Contractors have been booked to start work the day we get the keys and will remove all the old horrible sheep netting/barbed wire.

However, having asked them to do this met the neighbour the other day who is nice elderly man but has two dogs, a whippet and a Rottie. They both seem very amenable and he says they are ok with horses. Put it this way, they came to see who we were and weren't interested in the ponies the other side of me. but would rather not find out the hard way about any 'sheep dog' tendencies.

Anyway, now wondering the best way to keep them off my land, just in case. I know either of them could easily jump it if they wanted but will the electric fencing deter them from coming through the fence? Should I back it up with some some sort of mesh that's smaller than hoof size? Help am looking for stuff to stress over!

 

[itsme123]

I really wouldnt worry...

Most yards have dogs, yet YO's don't worry about this.

Netting can sag and be dangerous, and electric fencing won't deter anything that's THAT determined to chase your ponies.

If they didnt react to the horses on first meeting I'd imagine they won't bother later...

 

[Dolcé]

have a low strand of electric immediately behind the post and rail, our dogs have been shocked by ours because they get their tails on it and they really scream. Murphy won't even attempt to cross a fence line now. The rottie is probably docked but if you have it so that it will catch it's back it should do the trick. Im sure you won't need it really if they weren't bothered by the ponies but it will put your mind at rest.

 

[piggyinablanket]

Our old fencing had fine but solid mesh all the way to the top on the house side. I guess its how secure you feel yourself that they won't come through. A low strand of eleccy fence sounds like a great idea.

 

[happihorse]

Could you put three strands of tape round and keep it electrified. We did this to keep our dogs in and once they had an initial shock the effect seems to last for years!