How to get youngsters used to electric fencing?

[Ali27]

I got the calmest, loveliest 2 year old filly delivered today? Settled into the stable beautifully, decided to try turning out after 4 hours, but went straight through the electric fencing! ? My other two are on a track so made her a separate paddock but that didn’t work! I’ve taken it down and will let her explore the whole field tomorrow (4 acres)! Will keep the girls on the track! But how do I get her to respect electric fencing? Thanks xxx

 

[Caol Ila]

My youngster zapped herself when she first moved to her yard, which has tons of it, and she was very traumatized. Now she is extra careful of it. I don't know what you do with ones who aren't bothered by the zap. Turn up the voltage?

 

[JumpTheMoon1]

Respecting the fence should soon happen - once she has been zapped by it they soon learn what it is.Make a smaller paddock and once she is zapped a few times she will soon respect it.

 

[smolmaus]

Sadie was 8 before she met electric tape but it only took one zap. That was on hardstanding though so a small area, no room for hooley-ing off or getting the adrenaline up so she couldn't ignore it. She's gone through tape since but only being chased ?

 

[Gloi]

Lead up to it for them to investigate so they don't first meet it by running through it.

 

[Ali27]

Sadie was 8 before she met electric tape but it only took one zap. That was on hardstanding though so a small area, no room for hooley-ing off or getting the adrenaline up so she couldn't ignore it. She's gone through tape since but only being chased ?

I did then put some in my yard and let her wander and she zapped herself a couple of times!

 

[Highmileagecob]

Depends on the breeding. My traditional cob thinks electric fences are for scratching the nether regions, and simply walks through them if he thinks the grass is greener on the other side. Have used a grazing muzzle with more success.

 

[ycbm]

Given her attitude to it, I would wet her all over and let her try it again, led so she can't run through it (but position yourself carefully! ) she should get a much bigger shock.
.

 

[Ali27]

Thanks everyone for all the advice! I can’t believe that I didn’t think about electric fencing yesterday! She’s been living out in huge field with other youngsters so yesterday was her first experience with electric fence!
So today, I’ve started electric fence training! I have a hardcore yard area so put electric tape across end and so far she has had three zaps and jumped back a mile so it’s working! She is doing a brilliant job of munching all the grass at sides so will save me strimming?
Will progress to a small pen in the field this afternoon! Other than that, she has settled in beautifully and is so friendly and chilled?

 

[Barton Bounty]

Thanks everyone for all the advice! I can’t believe that I didn’t think about electric fencing yesterday! She’s been living out in huge field with other youngsters so yesterday was her first experience with electric fence!
So today, I’ve started electric fence training! I have a hardcore yard area so put electric tape across end and so far she has had three zaps and jumped back a mile so it’s working! She is doing a brilliant job of munching all the grass at sides so will save me strimming?
Will progress to a small pen in the field this afternoon! Other than that, she has settled in beautifully and is so friendly and chilled?

Sounds like a good plan

 

[AmyMay]

If she’s never been turned out on her own electric fencing won’t stop her from trying to get to the others.

 

[Ali27]

If she’s never been turned out on her own electric fencing won’t stop her from trying to get to the others.

My plan is to let her settle in hardcore pen today. Going to add electric tape along post and rail. Then open gates tomorrow afternoon when she has settled in there in the morning and add an extension of tape. I’m going to put little companion pony right next to in small pen and hopefully she will be ok! ?

 

[Sprig]

She needs a friend in with her or she is going to be a v unhappy young horse. Can the others take it in turns to go out with her?

 

[Ali27]

She needs a friend in with her or she is going to be a v unhappy young horse. Can the others take it in turns to go out with her?

I’m planning on having her in with my other two asap! But my 20 year old mare who usually is the sweetest, friendliest pony seems to hate her! They are on a track system so both going on that tomorrow and then baby pony can have run of 4 acres. Hoping my old girl will come round to her! Might have to just pop their grazing muzzles on (as too much grass - good doers and older girl colics on too much grass) as hate idea of poor baby pony being on her own!

 

[Ali27]

All done today! Turned all three out together in middle of field and she stayed clear from electric tape on track system. They had a mad gallop around and now happily grazing! Will make her an acre paddock and have one of the other two in there with grazing muzzle on and other on track system and swap them over at night so baby pony always has company. They will be in large field together over Winter.
Thanks for all the advice?