How to Install a Portable Electric Horse Fence

Installing a portable electric fence is the perfect way to keep your horses safe at home--or away from home. If you love to trail ride, you will need a way to keep your horses contained on those overnight trips, and a portable electric fence is an easy solution to that problem. Putting up a portable electric fence is also an excellent way to let your horse take care of that overgrown lawn, but it is important to install that fence properly.

Things You'll Need

  • Electric fencing or electric tape
  • Fence posts
  • Portable fence charger
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Instructions

  1. Installing a Portable Electric Fence

    • 1

      Begin by measuring the area you need to fence. These measurements will allow you to determine how much fencing and how many fence posts you will need. Fence posts should be placed a maximum of 8 to 10 feet apart, so be sure to measure each line you will need to fence and use those measurements to determine how many fence posts you need. Kick-in fence posts work particularly well for portable fences--they are easy to install and easy to remove.

    • 2

      Place the first fence post in one of the corners and pound it into the ground. If you are using kick-in electric fence posts, they should have a mark on them that indicates how far into the ground they need to go. Use this mark as your guide and make sure the fence post is in the ground far enough to be stable.

    • 3

      Measure 8 to 10 feet from the first fence post and place the next one into the ground. Continue to measure the distance between the fence posts and place each post in the ground securely. Once all of the fence posts have been placed into the ground you are ready to begin stringing rhe electric fence wire or the electric hot tape.

    • 4

      If you are using traditional electric wire you will need to install insulators on the fence posts. When installing insulators, be sure to measure the proper distance from the ground on each fence post. For best results, use at least two strands of electric wire, with the first strand at least 18" off the ground and the second strand at least 6" above that. Also, be sure to tie white rags to the fencing to make it visible to your horses.

    • 5

      Use hot tape if desired to create a more visible portable electric fence. Hot tape has a number of advantages over traditional electric wire, including better visibility and easier installation. String the hot tape around the posts using at least two strands for maximum visibility. After the hot tape or electric wire has been strung, run the end of the wire to your portable fence charger. A solar charger works great for portable fences--just make sure you give it plenty of time to charge before putting your horses into the fence.