Directions for Installing an Electric Horse Fence

If you want to keep a horse successfully on your property a quality fence is an absolute must. A loose horse is a danger to itself and others, and as the homeowner you are responsible for any damage done by horses in your charge. Installing an electric fence can be an excellent way to keep your horses where they belong without putting a big dent in your wallet.

  1. Drive in the Corner Posts and Line Posts

    • To get started drive your corner posts into the ground, or use a fencepost digger and concrete to cement them in. All corner posts be placed a full 48 inches into the ground to ensure that the fence is stable.
      Run a guide wire along the ground. This guide wire will help to ensure the proper placement of the rest of the electrical wire.
      Install the line posts. The line posts should be placed no more than 8 feet apart for maximum strength. If the posts have a place for insulators those insulators should be placed at the same height on each post.

    Attach and Tighten the Wire or Hot Rope

    • The next step is to put the wire in place. It is important to keep the wire on the spool it came on during the installation process. This will help to keep the wire straight and avoid any crimps or snags that could interfere with the free flow of electricity. If plain silver wire is to be used it is a good idea to tie white rags to the wire at regular intervals. This will help your horses see the fence and respect the physical boundary.
      To make installation easier you may want to consider purchasing hot tape or electrical rope instead of old-fashioned wire. This special fencing contains electrical filaments within an easy-to-see white fence. This removes the need to tie rags to the fence and provides a high-visibility barrier for your equine companions.

    Install the Fence Charger

    • Your charger is the heart of your electric fence project, so it is important to invest in a quality charger. It is a good idea to purchase a larger charger than you think you will need. This will help ensure that the fence will have a sufficient charge to keep even the boldest horse in check. Solar fence chargers are a good choice for places where no electrical outlet is available.
      Be sure the charger is kept under cover and protected from the elements. Once the charger is in place, install at least one copper or galvanized ground rod no more than 20 feet from the charger. Then run a wire from the fence to the charger and turn the charger on, or in the case of a solar fence charger allow the sun to power it.
      Always be sure to test the fence at different points along the fence line before you put your horses in their new pasture. If your horses have never been exposed to an electric fence before it is a good idea to lead them up to it with a halter and lead rope on and allow them to touch it. This quick lesson will teach your horses to respect the fence's boundary and greatly reduce the chance of an escape.