Electric fences for horses

What are electric fences for?

Keeping horses in the paddock or pasture

Preventing horse escapes and damage to the surroundings

Pasture division (rotational grazing)

Temporary fencing (e.g. seasonal paddocks)

Protecting horses from foreign animals

A safe alternative to permanent fences

An electric fence works on the principle of a short, unpleasant, but harmless electrical impulse that discourages the horse from touching the fence.

How an electric fence works

An electric fence consists of:

a source of impulses (electric source / energizer)

a conductive material (tape, rope, wire)

insulators and posts

grounding

When a horse touches the conductor, a circuit is closed through the ground and the horse feels a short impulse. This does not cause injury, only an unpleasant sensation that the horse quickly remembers.

Types of electric fences for horses

1. By type of power source3

a) Mains electric fence (230 V)

Advantages:

Stable and strong performance

Ideal for permanent pastures

Minimal maintenance

Disadvantages:

Need access to electricity

Less flexible when moving

b) Battery fence

Advantages:

Portable and flexible

Suitable for temporary enclosures

Independent from the electricity grid

Disadvantages:

Need to replace or charge batteries

Weaker performance when the battery is discharged

c) Solar fence

Advantages:

Ecological3

Minimal operating costs

Ideal for remote pastures

Disadvantages:

Higher initial cost

Dependency on sunlight

2. By conductive material

a) Electrical Tape

Most commonly used for horses.

Advantages:

Highly visible (safe for horses)

Easy to install

Suitable for both permanent and temporary fences

Disadvantages:

Lower wind resistance

Faster wear

b) Electric rope

Advantages:

Very good conductivity

More durable than tape

Suitable for long fences

Disadvantages:

Less visible than tape

Slightly higher price

c) Electric wire

Advantages:

High resistance and conductivity

Long life

Disadvantages:

Not suitable for horses (poorly visible)

Higher risk of injury
➡️ Not recommended for horses as the main conductor

Advantages of electric fences

High efficiency with low risk of injury

Flexibility and possibility of quick adaptation of the enclosure

Lower costs compared to solid fences

Horses quickly learn to respect fence

Suitable for both permanent and temporary solutions

Disadvantages and risks

Requires regular functionality checks

Improper grounding reduces efficiency

A weak impulse can lead to ignoring the fence

Risk of entanglement with poor design

Need for maintenance (grass touching the conductor reduces voltage)

How to choose the right electric fence

1. According to the size and purpose of the pasture

Small paddock → battery or solar

Large pasture → mains or strong solar source

2. According to the number of horses

More horses = stronger impulse source

Recommended voltage for horses: min. 3,000 – 5,000 V

3. According to visibility

Wide tape is safest for horses

Ideally 2–3 rows of tape (low, medium, high)

4. According to terrain

Hill terrain → flexible materials

Windy areas → ropes instead of tapes

Proper installation – the basis of safety

Minimum 2–3 conductors for horses

Bottom conductor approx. 40–50 cm, upper 120–140 cm

Quality grounding (min. 1–3 grounding rods)

Solid corner posts

Insulators without damage

Gates with safe handles

Most common mistakes

Weak impulse source

Poor or no grounding

Using wire instead of tape

Overgrown grass touching the conductor

Insufficient fence visibility

Too low voltage

Safety principles

Electric fencing should never be the only fixed fence along roads

Regularly check the voltage with a tester

Do not use damaged wires

Warning about electric fencing for public access

Electric fencing is a practical, safe and effective solution for horse farming if it is properly designed and maintained. The right choice of source, conductive material and quality installation are key to the safety of the horses and the reliability of the fence. When used correctly, electric fencing provides a long-term and flexible solution for pastures and paddocks.