What Is The Best Electric Fence For Horses On The Market?

With regards to good horse care, one of the most important things is to make a really good fence to keep them contained. Horses are naturally roaming animals, but we can’t really allow them to do this in this day and age – just imagine the carnage if your horse decided to take himself off for a gallop around the countryside!

Making sure you have a really good fence is paramount. The best type of fencing is wood, followed by electric tape (barbed wire, or any type of metal wire, should never be used for horse fence because of the risk of injury).

Best Electric Fence For Horses Reviews

It can be hard to know what is the best electric fence for horses, so I have selected three of the best on the market for you to choose which one suits your needs:

Image	Electric Fences	Price
	TOP PICK: ElectroBraid Horse Fence Conductor Reel A highly effective fencing solution that will last for years.	CHECK PRICE
	Zareba PR656W6-Z Polyrope A good quality, reasonably priced electric tape.	CHECK PRICE
	Farmily Portable Electric Fence Polywire A good option for temporary fencing.	CHECK PRICE

1. ElectroBraid PBR1000 C2-EB Horse Fence Conductor Reel Review

This is a fantastic braided electric fence. It provides great resistant strength as well as a psychological barrier to prevent your horse running through it. It is a chequered colour, making it more visible and even more of a deterrent. It uses copper wires for an increase in conductivity, meaning that it has more “bite” than a standard fencing wire.

Pros

• Simple to install – It really is easy to set up a perimeter of electric tape – all you need is some posts, a battery and a fencer and you’re away!
• Strong and resilient – This fence can withstand the force of a stampeding stallion, with a 1300lb breaking strength.
• High quality tested – ElectroBraid meets the high standards required by parachute harnesses and seatbelts.
• No danger of injury – Unlike a wooden fence that can splinter, or a wire fence that can entangle flailing hooves, ElectroBraid is pretty much guaranteed to keep your horse contained without the risk of injury if he runs into it.

Cons

• Potentially can break – If this happens you will have to redo all your fencing, because once the horses know they can push through the fence without getting zapped, they will continue to do so.

Recommendation

For a good, sturdy, reliable fencing tape, the ElectroBraid is a good one to go for. It is a highly effective fencing solution that will last for years, and will keep your horses contained and safe. Made from polyester fibre, which is resistant to corroding and damage from UV light, the ElectroBraid can be your best friend for years to come.

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

2. Zareba PR656W6-Z Polyrope Review

Polyrope is stronger than polywire, and is less likely to cause damage if your horse runs into it. It is fantastically easy to install, and will last for many years to come. As long as you make sure you have a good battery connection with no trailing grasses touching the wires and causing a short to earth, then this polyrope will work wonders.

Pros

• An inexpensive product – If you are looking for good quality electric fence on a budget, then this is the one for you. It is cheaper than many of the competitors, but will still do the job.
• Lightweight and easy to use – If you find yourself moving your fences often, then this is a great option. It is easy to wind back onto the reel, making twisted tangled fencing tape a thing of the past!
• Breaking load of 880lb – This fence can stop a medium-weight horse in its tracks, and send it bouncing back into the field with no danger of injury.
• Highly visible – As long as your horses already have respect for electric tape, then just the sight of it will be a good deterrent.

Cons

• May not be as durable as some of its counterparts – The manufacturer’s recommendation is to use this fence in conjunction with a permanent fence, meaning that it may not be suitable for you if it is to be your only form of fencing.

Recommendation

If you need some good quality, reasonably priced electric tape to go with your existing fence then this is a good one to go for. Strong, durable and visible, it will provide a physical and psychological barrier to potential escapees.

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

3. Farmily Portable Electric Fence Polywire Review

A good choice for creating paddocks and enclosures, the Farmily portable polywire is a robust, highly visible tape. It comes in vivid yellow and black, making it even more of a deterrent – and if the colour doesn’t stop them, the zap from the stainless steel electric conductors will!

Pros

• Designed for long life – The polyester surrounding the conductors is UV stabilised, meaning that the sun won’t damage it over time.
• Protected and rustproof – The stainless steel conductors are carefully wrapped in the outer polyester, meaning that they are at no risk of damage from the rain.
• Easy and convenient to store and install – The polywire is easily wound back up onto its spool, making life much easier when moving paddocks around.
• Waterproof for year-round use – Even when the rain is damping down everything else, your fence will still pack a punch.

Cons

• Thinner than some other wires – This can mean that the wire may break more easily than others, resulting in having to splice it or replace it.

Recommendation

A good option for temporary fencing, the Farmily Portable is a good option for those who need to put up some emergency fencing quickly, that works well for keeping in what needs to be kept in, and keeping out what you want to keep out!

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why is electric fence a good choice for horse fence?

The right electric fence is inexpensive to install and provides good value in terms of longevity and effectiveness. When added to traditional fencing, an electric fence wire helps protect your solid fence against rubbing, chewing and other types of damage horses might cause.

2. Can you use electric fence alone to contain horses?

While it’s possible to contain a horse who is familiar with electric fencing by using only electric fence, it’s best to add electric fence wire to visible fencing. The addition of a hot wire makes horses more respectful of their boundaries. It can also reduce problems with over or through the fence conflicts.

3. Can you install a hot tape or wire with any kind of visible fence?

This is possible, but you must be careful to install it in a way that doesn’t cause the wire to short-circuit. For example, if you’re using wire mesh and/or metal posts, take care that the hotwire doesn’t touch the surfaces. If it does, the system could short out.

4. Is it hard to maintain electric fencing for horses?

You must be careful to keep tall grass and bushes trimmed away from the fence as these can provide electricity with a route to the ground. When tall vegetation gets wet, it can short out your fence if it’s touching the hotwire.

5. Does electric fencing physically contain horses?

The value of electric fencing is more psychological than physical. Once a horse understands that it will receive a mild shock if it touches the fencing, it will respect its boundaries better. It’s always smart to use electric fencing in combination with visible fencing in high risk areas, such as near a busy road.

6. Is it better for electric fence wiring to be visible or invisible?

It should be visible so that your horse is able to avoid touching it and will recognize it in other settings. When your horse is familiar with the appearance of electric fencing, you can use it to set up temporary turnout enclosures or to cross fence a pasture temporarily. Your horse will recognize it and respect it.

7. Can horses get through an electric fence?

A horse who is being chased or one who is especially determined can break through an electric fence. This is yet another reason why it should not be used as primary fencing, especially in high risk areas, such as near a busy road or as a divider between your property and neighboring properties.

8. What’s the best wire for electric fencing for horses?

Smaller diameter wire conducts less electricity and is harder to see. It’s also easier to break than larger diameter, high tensile, stiff wire. Even so, this light wire is good to use with a sturdy visible fence to enclose a small area.

For larger areas (for example if your fence must enclose several acres) it’s best to use smooth, larger gauge (12.5) wire because it will carry more electricity and it is stronger and sturdier.

Another choice that is very thick and stretchy is black polyethylene coated wire. If you have an accident-prone horse or one that is likely to challenge the fence, this is a good choice because your horse will be less likely to hurt himself.

There is also a polyester covered electric fence wire that has a braided, soft fabric cover over flexible copper wire. This type of electric fence wire will bend rather than breaking if horses run into it. Additionally, it’s a good choice for areas with extreme temperature changes because it will expand and contract rather than becoming brittle and breaking.

One of the most durable types of electric fence wire is galvanized steel with a polymer conductive coating. This type of wire is usually 3/16 of an inch in diameter. It’s very safe and very durable and will not oxidize like aluminum, copper or tin wire.

The very longest lasting electric fence wire is stainless steel because it doesn’t corrode; however, it also doesn’t conduct electricity as well so it’s not the best choice for large enclosures.

Another option, turbo wire, is long-lasting and high-performance because it is made up of a combination of strands of several different types of metal.

9. Can horses get caught in electric fence wire?

Another difference in types of wire that you should be aware of is that some electric fence wire is small-diameter string wire. Some is thicker diameter braided rope wire (a.k.a. electrified cord). Of the two, the braided rope is more durable and less likely to become overstretched or tangled. On the downside, if a horse becomes entangled in this type of electric fence wire it may not be able to break free.

10. What about mesh tape?

Another option is mesh tape which comes in widths of one or 2 inches. This is highly visible and very easy to install initially and to repair. On the downside, tape does tend to sag with heavy rain or snowfall. Additionally, high winds can cause a great deal of wear and tear.

11. Is there an alternative to using wire or tape for an electric fence?

You can also purchase hot rails. This innovation consists of a standard fence rail with an electrified wire embedded in the top. This option is extremely durable and highly visible. It is also very effective at keeping horses from reaching over the fence, rubbing against it or cribbing.

12. What kind of posts are best?

The type of electric fence post you choose depends upon your purpose. If you just want to toss up a quick and easy temporary enclosure, you can use light push-in posts made of plastic.

If you want a more permanent enclosure, you can use metal T posts for the length of your fence and wood braces at the corners. Use plastic holders to connect your electric tape or wire.

Remember that metal posts must always be topped off with plastic caps. Alternately, you can cover the entire post with PVC pipe to provide insulation against accidental shocks.

If you use wood posts, you will also need to use insulators. The exception to this is wood posts that are made of very dense wood specifically designed for electric fencing. These posts don’t conduct electricity and don’t need insulators.

13. Can you electrify gates as well?

You can, but you’ll need to remember to install an insulated gate handle for every line of wire running through the gate. This will allow you to open and close gates without shocking yourself.

Take care when installing gate handles. Incorrect installation can result in accidental shocks and sparks which create a fire hazard.

14. How do you teach your horse about electric fence?

Whenever you introduce your horse to any new setting, walk him around all the fences and show him where they are. Never just turn a horse loose in an unfamiliar area because he may accidentally run through the boundary and get injured.

Make certain he knows where everything is, regardless of whether it’s electrified or simple visible fencing. For greater visibility tie strands of tape or strips of cloth on to the top of the fence so that your horse will be sure to see it.

15. How many strands of wire or tape do you need for an electric horse fence?

For the best visibility in the most effective use, you should use two or three strands of tape or wire. Typically the bottom strand should be about 18 inches from the ground. The middle strand should be about 20 inches above that, and a third strand should be about even with your horse’s withers.

16. How far apart should electric fence posts be?

The distance between posts depends a great deal on the strength of your visible fence, the strength of your electric wire or tape and the amount of challenge your animals may present to the fence.

17. How long will electric fencing last?

The longevity of your electric fence depends on the type of materials you choose. It also depends on the amount of sunlight your location receives and other environmental factors.

Harsh sun can damage vinyl polymer and plastic materials. If hot sun is a problem in your area, look for materials that have UV inhibitors incorporated and that offer a good long guarantee (e.g. 20 years).

18. How can you tell if your fence is working?

Your fence charger should have an indicator light to let you know that the fence is working properly. Alternately, you can purchase a fence tester so that you can inspect your fence from time-to-time and make sure that all the wires are being charged.

With a fence tester, you use a wire attached to a grounding rod to touch the fence lines. If there is a current, an indicator light will go on.

You can also test your fence using a blade of grass. Be sure to choose one that’s nice and long and green (not dry). Slide over the fence wire gradually moving your fingertips closer to the wire.

When you feel a little tingling, you’ll know that your fence is working. If your fingertips are very close to the wire, that means that the electrical current may be weak.

Conclusion

Electric fencing is an inexpensive, effective way of keeping your horses contained. This type of wire fencing is good because it means members of the herd who don’t want to live in close proximity can still see each other – horses are herd animals and feel safer in large groups. It’s a lot cheaper than paying to have wooden stock fencing installed, and a lot safer than other types of wire fencing. You will just need a fence charger that can be attached to a battery or you can use a solar power charger.

If you need a really top end electric fence, for horses which don’t have a lot of respect for other fencing tapes, then the ElectroBraid PBR1000 C2-EB Horse Fence Conductor Reel is for you. For those wanting a lightweight, effective electric fence which still has good stopping power, try the Zareba PR656W6-Z Polyrope. If you are looking for emergency electric fencing on a budget, opt for the Farmily Portable Electric Fence Polywire.