Shetland escapeee!

[Rachael42]

Hi all,
Typical Shetland pony problem here! He has no respect for the electric fencing. He just marches right through it pushing it up over his back to squeeze under it. I have a fence tester and it is as strong as the energiser can go he’s getting zapped but doesn’t care! He has plenty grass in the patch he’s in but still insists on going under the fence which then winds up my other horse. Any ideas on what I can do? He’s on a livery yard so solid fencing isn’t an option or I would. We’ve already tried muzzles but the others in the fields around him pull it off ??‍. Am I just going to have a free range pony?

 

[meleeka]

I feel your pain! I’m going through the same thing with mine now the grass has sprouted

Do you have 3 strands (that’s what I’ve spent this morning doing?). Make sure it’s all tight enough too. Mine can spot a loose bit a mile off. Last year I made him a unicorn horn out of his forelock and wound tape round it and through the bottom so the tape was next to his skin, between his ears. That and 3 strands cured him.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

I had one that would only stay behind permanent fencing. 5 strands of fully belting electric was just an additional challenge to slip through. She was adept at removing her own muzzle, would even try and hang herself on a gate catch if she could reach, then sit down, knowing the muzzle would eventually snap!
Current min will at least wear a muzzle, so ranges up the fields all day till tea time, when muzzle comes off and she goes in the diet (bare) paddock with a small haynet.

 

[Red-1]

Ha, I knew you were going to say electric when I saw the thread title.

Shetlands have very insulating coats! We ended up with half round rails, just one rail in the middle, with electric top and bottom. It wasn't as expensive as we thought to do.

 

[holeymoley]

More tape?!

 

[poiuytrewq]

I walked the dogs last week through a stud that had fenced off the footpath with very smart wooden posts and like stock wire but much smaller squares, then a rail and electric on top. Im going to do that, just on my outer boundary fences that have no hedge or wall behind as back up. Ours is popping through the fence, into a huge wheat field where he then as located a gap in the hedge made by the game keeper for easy access off the road to feeders, gos through the hole, and appears in the morning for breakfast when I unlock the main yard gates ?‍ I just give up on trying with electric, we have mains, he acts terrified but still every night is out!

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

5 strands of electric run off the mains was the only thing that worked.

 

[Flame_]

Clip him, like his back? You could invent your own "upside down clip".

 

[ElleSkywalkingintheair]

Chicken netting that you can electrify? I have two of the little loves, and have long ago realised if they stay behind fence it's because they want to be behind it rather than because I want them to be. Shetlands see fencing as a suggestion rather than taking it seriously ?

 

[dorsetladette]

I shared for a while with a few ladies that had tiny ponies. They had the same problem.

Solved it by 3 strands of tape, the lowest on the very bottom clip on the post. Fence post about 6 - 8ft apart. They then weaved a strand round from top to bottom to make like a zig zag. This seemed to block any visible escape routes as long as the battery wasn't left to drop charge to much.

That said I have been using the chicken fencing type of electric fence (people are going to shoot me down) with just one strand of tape along the inside. This seems to work for the normal size ponies and the sheep.

 

[Iznurgle]

Do you have 3 strands (that’s what I’ve spent this morning doing?). Make sure it’s all tight enough too. Mine can spot a loose bit a mile off. Last year I made him a unicorn horn out of his forelock and wound tape round it and through the bottom so the tape was next to his skin, between his ears. That and 3 strands cured him.

What a clever idea!

 

[Rachael42]

Thanks everyone, going to speak to the yard owner and see what I can do. I’ve already got 3 lines on the fence he still goes through. He has been clipped. Surely he feels the shock!

 

[poiuytrewq]

I feel your pain! I’m going through the same thing with mine now the grass has sprouted

Do you have 3 strands (that’s what I’ve spent this morning doing?). Make sure it’s all tight enough too. Mine can spot a loose bit a mile off. Last year I made him a unicorn horn out of his forelock and wound tape round it and through the bottom so the tape was next to his skin, between his ears. That and 3 strands cured him.

I’ve often considered this! May give it a try, already have 3 strands of mains on the fence… I feel a bit mean ??

 

[meleeka]

I feel a bit mean ??

Having a little chuckle while they gleefully skip through the fence you’ve spent hours erecting to keep them in, now that’s mean! ?

 

[poiuytrewq]

Having a little chuckle while they gleefully skip through the fence you’ve spent hours erecting to keep them in, now that’s mean! ?

Oh I know! This is so true. I feel like I may hide somewhere in the field all night just to watch the little darling try and get out ?

 

[Auslander]

I shared for a while with a few ladies that had tiny ponies. They had the same problem.

Solved it by 3 strands of tape, the lowest on the very bottom clip on the post. Fence post about 6 - 8ft apart. They then weaved a strand round from top to bottom to make like a zig zag. This seemed to block any visible escape routes as long as the battery wasn't left to drop charge to much.

I tried something similar once, Ted the Terrorist thought it was a fun challenge

 

[meleeka]

I tried something similar once, Ted the Terrorist thought it was a fun challenge
View attachment 91244

That’s a rookie error. Shetlands have a built in fence tester. They know just by looking whether there’s enough of a zap going through or if it’s fair game. Mine knows if the tape is on the floor (which does happen as the bottom strand is so low) and it’s not clicking loudly, it’s good to go. He also knows what time I arrive so he can make his escape and I’m none the wiser! The problem is that they are just too clever ?

 

[dorsetladette]

I tried something similar once, Ted the Terrorist thought it was a fun challenge
View attachment 91244

Elite fence tester - they can spot a mile off when the the tape is earthed to a wooden post.

FYI - I'm glad some else has a terrorist in their midst - we have the tiny taliban. Unfortunately the name has stuck and he's now known as TT

 

[Auslander]

It wasn't electrifed, as he didnt care if a fence was on or off, but I thought he might be baffled by the Crystal Maze style tape placement. I was wrong

 

[Sir barnaby]

I am getting my grand daughters Shetland next month and was worrying about fencing off the long grass. This is him at home behind one strand of wire so I hope he’s not like your little demons and will hopefully stay in his pen off the grass while the big horse is grazing. ?