Copyright: Shirley Macmillan

ELECTRIC FENCING

Cheaper, easier to install and needing less maintenance than traditional types – electric

fencing has finally come of age in the equine world. Something that was once unfamiliar,

viewed with concern about its safety, and disliked for its untidy appearance, is now

commonplace in horse paddocks.

But while it has revolutionised grassland management for many people, it isn’t a short cut,

says ADAS equine consultant, Geoff Fairfoull. Electric fencing will only be effective at

dividing grazing areas and preventing horses from straying if properly installed and

maintained, he says. “Users must first distinguish between temporary electric fencing, which

is used for strip grazing or sub dividing

fields, and permanent electric fencing to

replace post and rails as a way to contain

horses.”

Fortunately, there are now complete

systems on the market which make it

easier to select the right tools for the job

in mind. Lightweight and portable kits

come with appropriate lengths of electric

tape, posts, tensioning reels, batteries

and spring gate handles for strip grazing.

Tape on a spool is easy to unwind and

set up. For permanent electric fencing,

there are also earthing stakes, warning

signs, and voltage testers. Electricity can

be supplied by wet and dry batteries,

solar power or, for permanent fencing,

mains electricity.

“Electric tape only looks awful if it’s

allowed to get loose and flap about in the

wind. When it gets slack, horses can

soon put their feet through it. Tape now

comes in white, green and brown or a polyrope version with fine wire webbed in to transmit

electricity. The key to all electric fencing is tension – get it proper and maintain it. Also keep

the electricity flowing – it’s common for people to use it for a while, then switch it off. But it

doesn’t take long for horses to learn they can rub against it or lean on it. The tape slackens

and a horse can soon put a foot through it.”

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Electric fencing should be taut

Copyright: Shirley Macmillan

Used properly, horses avoid the fence so it should last longer – up to 20 years in some

cases. However, if temporary fencing is used to subdivide groups of horses it can lead to

squabbling over the division and the risk of breakouts. Far

better to use temporary fencing just for strip grazing, says

Geoff. “It’s important horses get familiar with electric and

respect it – the short, sharp, shock effect. Perhaps lead the

horse up to the fence the first time it is used. Leaving

horses to their own devices is risking a break-out.

“Electric fencing is cost effective and long term. Tape life

depends on some UV degradation, some break-outs and

the electric wires get broken which reduces the tape’s ability

to carry a current. But you can join in new bits.”

Geoff recommends a full formal check of all field boundaries

at least twice a year and certainly each time before a field

or paddock is used. Broken bits can be replaced or

repaired. “Don’t allow vegetation to come into contact with an electric fence – such as docks

or other weeds – this causes it to short out. Also check the correct voltage on electric

fencing, you can now buy current meters. It can fail so it’s important to check it’s working.”

POST AND RAIL FENCING

Traditional post and rail fencing looks good, and lasts for up to 20 years, but requires a fair

bit of maintenance and is very expensive to install, according to Geoff Fairfoull of ADAS

equine. “These days, it also needs to be combined with a top strand of electric wire as

horses have a habit of leaning on it, rubbing against it (which loosens posts) or chewing the

top rail which reduces its lifespan and increases maintenance costs.”

Post and rail is not dog proof and this can be important for fields beside public footpaths or

bridleways. Nor is it sheep proof, which needs to be considered if mixed grazing, he adds.

Many studs now prefer diamond-shaped mesh with a rail on top which keeps dogs out and

sheep/horses/foals in.

Some parts of the country are able to make best use of natural materials such as hedges

and dry stone walls. These have the added advantage of offering shelter to horses. “They

form good physical boundaries and are in keeping with the locality, provided materials are

available for repairs.”

Electric fence insulator