How to Make an Electric Fence for Horses

Installing an electric fence is a quick, easy, and inexpensive way to keep your horses where they belong. Electric fences can be set up in under an hour, and these sturdy fences can be a very reliable way to keep horses safe and secure. Unlike barbed wire fences, electric fences do not pose the risk of injury, and most horses will develop a healthy respect for the electricity running through the wire.

Things You'll Need

  • Tape measure
  • Fence posts
  • Electric wire or hot tape
  • White rags
  • Sledge hammer or post hole digger
  • Fence charger
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Instructions

  1. Installing an Electric Fence

    • 1

      Measure the area to be fenced. Before you start, be sure to carefully measure the area you will be fencing. A flexible tape measure works great for this purpose, especially if you will be fencing off an irregularly shaped area. Be sure to get an accurate measurement--it is the best way to make sure you will have enough materials on hand to do the job.

    • 2

      Purchase enough electric wire or hot tape to cover the area you have to fence. It is a good idea to buy about 10% more than you think you will need to accommodate for measuring errors. Also purchase enough fence posts so that they can be placed 8 feet apart.

    • 3

      Start at the first corner of the area you plan to fence and pound a fence post into the ground. If you prefer, you can purchase kick-in fence posts, but be sure they are in the ground far enough that they will be stable. Kick-in fence posts generally come with a marker to help you determine how far into the ground they must be. Pay attention to that marker when placing the fence posts into the ground.

    • 4

      Place insulators on the fence posts, or better yet purchase posts with the insulators already in place. It is best to put at least two strands of electric wire or hot tape on your fence--this will make it more visible and reduce the chances of an escape. Be sure you have enough insulators to place at least 2 on each fence post.

    String the Wire

    • 5

      String the electric wire along the fence posts, wrapping the wire around each insulator as you go. If you are using hot tape instead, follow the instructions on the packaging when attaching it to the posts. Many people like hot tape because it is more visible to horses and it eliminates the need to tie white rags or other markers on the fence wire.

    • 6

      If you are using traditional electric wire, be sure to tie white rags or other markers on the fence wire to make it visible to your horses.

    • 7

      Attach the charger to the fencing according to the instructions that came with the unit, then test it using a fence tester. If you are fencing a remote area or creating a temporary fence, a solar charger will be your best choice, otherwise an inexpensive electrical charger will be fine. If your horses are used to electric fences, you can just turn them loose after first walking the fence line. If your horses have never seen an electric fence before, you may need to walk them up to it and allow them to touch it. This will deliver a mild electric shock and teach them to respect the fence barrier.