Even though horses are known for staying in their designated places, they can sometimes go wandering, especially if they’re young and adventurous. If you want to prevent this mishap, you need the best electric fence for horses that you can afford.
Luckily for you, that’s precisely the topic of today’s article. We’re looking at a number of decent options, all of which you’ll find in the selection showcased below.
Make sure to read our guide, too, as it can help you understand what factors are important when shopping for such a product.
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Top 5 Best Electric Fences for Horses Reviews
Since it can be challenging for you to pick the right product just by looking at the ones you come across online, we’ve decided to make matters easier and review some of the most critically acclaimed ones out there today. Check them out below.
1. ElectroBraid PBRC1000C2-EB Horse Fence Conductor Reel
If you need an electric fence for horses that takes the cake when it comes to performance, this ElectroBraid option should be right up your alley. It comes with 1,000 feet of checkered spool that can be set up with ease, and its outstanding copper conductivity will give you what you need.
As for its strength, you probably have nothing to worry about in this sense. The PBRC1000C2-EB unit comes with a 1,300-pound braided rope, so it’s going to be very challenging for the horses to damage the fencing in any way.
Thanks to its rugged construction, it will also stand the abuse of the elements.
Features
- Braided fiber equipped with a polypropylene core
- UV-resistant
- Weighs in at 12.1 pounds
- Measures 8.3 x 8.3 x 11.8 inches
Pros
- 1,300-pound breaking strength
- Completely safe for horses and it has been approved by veterinarians
- Its copper-based construction renders it a winner in terms of efficiency and safety
- It stretches when the horses push into it rather than breaking under pressure
Cons
- It’s not the most affordable choice in the category
2. Farmily Portable Electric Fence Polywire
Finding portable fencing for horses can be a challenge, especially in this day and age. But this one is temporary, so you can install and uninstall it from one place to the next as per your specific needs.
The braided horse fencing means that you aren’t going to have to worry about the fence being affected by rust anytime soon. It’s also quite visible, thanks to its combination of yellow and black colors, so you will be able to avoid coming in contact with it.
As for durability, that’s another reason to consider the Farmily option, since it can withstand prolonged exposure to harsh weather and the pressure and tension put on it by your horses.
Features
- Weighs in at 2.4 lbs
- 1,312-ft wire length
- Spool measures 7 by 5 by 5 inches
- Black and yellow design
Pros
- High visibility adds to the overall safety of this model
- Easy to install even by someone with less experience
- Works best for temporary use since you can move it around
- Made of UV-stabilized polymer, which guarantees durability
Cons
- It can’t be used with a continuous current source
3. Baygard Electric Fence ¼-Inch White Rope B001B2U2CM
If you are in the market for a fence for horses that’s a winner in terms of durability, you might want to bear this choice in mind. It’s got a pretty decent break resistance, but it might not put up with the abuse of very heavy breeds.
What’s important to note about this unit is that it’s not temporary, so it has to be installed with a permanent fencing setup. Having been crafted from fibrillated polyethylene, the material is fully capable of standing both rain and shine.
Another reason to consider the Baygard alternative is that it’s white, so it’s highly visible. This will give you the reassurance that no one is going to touch it by mistake.
Features
- Weighs in at 6.55 pounds
- Measures 7 by 6 by 10 inches
- Spool measures 656 feet
- Made of fibrillated polyethylene
Pros
- It’s rather versatile, since there are many ways in which you can install it
- Comes with a break resistance of 850 pounds
- Works with a solar 10-mile charger and other types of chargers, too
- 1High-quality rope material
Cons
- Its break weight could have been better, so you can’t use it for very heavy horse breeds
4. Field Guardian Polytape
If you have been looking for a more affordable option as your budget isn’t what it used to be, the Field Guardian Polytape choice might be a good product to keep in mind. It’s durable and convenient and it comes with a break load of 575 lbs, which is more than decent, especially compared to other products in the same line.
Every roll measures 656 feet, which should be enough for most applications. The conductive wires are spread across the whole surface of the tape, so they are fully capable of delivering the electrical current that will deter your horses from leaving.
Its white color is another advantage since it makes it very visible and therefore, a winner in terms of safety.
Features
- Weighs in at 6.5 pounds
- Measures 11 by 11 by 9 inches
- 575-lbs break load
- Every roll measures 656 feet
Pros
- The polytape construction is rugged, so the fencing has a good chance of standing the test of time
- UV protection makes it capable of doing its job come rain or come shine
- Can be used for very heavy breeds of horses due to its break load
- Doesn’t cost a fortune
Cons
- It’s slightly thinner than similar products (as reported by some of the customers)
5. Zareba PT656W1-Z Polytape
Similarly to some of the other choices that we have showcased here, the Zareba option comes in a yellow and black design for superior visibility. This gives you the peace of mind that nobody’s going to get hurt by accident.
The fencing comes with a 320-pound breaking weight, so it works great for smaller breeds of horses. It’s lightweight and heavy-duty, which means that you can set it up in less time and with less effort compared to other products.
For the best outcome, we recommend installing the fencing into a permanent setup, not a temporary one. Plus, the rugged construction guarantees durability over time, whether to the elements or the abuse that horses might want to inflict on it.
Features
- Comes with eight strands of electrical conductors
- Has a breaking load of 320 pounds
- Measures 10 by 10 by 10 inches
- Weighs in at 4 pounds
Pros
- Very easy to install, especially for less tech-savvy individuals
- Easy to work with even if you use it for other critters such as deer or bears
- Consistent voltage renders it effective
- Can be used with a low fence energizer
Cons
- It works with permanent fencing systems
- You need to use individual electric connectors
Buying Guide
No matter if you are looking for the best portable electric fence for horses or the best temporary fencing for horses, you should know what features actually matter and which ones you can do without.
Check out our comprehensive guide for more info on the essential factors that you should bear in mind when you’re searching for the right product for your specific needs.
Type of wire
Electric fences can be made of several different types of wire, and each comes with advantages and disadvantages.
Woven wire, for example, is pretty effective, but the drawback is that it’s more expensive than others and it’s also not easy to install. For the best results, it needs to be set up together with barbed wire.
Aluminum wire also gets the job done effectively, and its main benefit is that it tends to last for a long time without developing any rust. It is also less affordable than other variants.
Steel wire is inexpensive enough and durable, and it works with a wide range of chargers. It’s best for smaller sizes, however.
High-tensile wire is extremely durable, and some models are marketed as being capable of lasting for as many as five to six decades. It also calls for little care and maintenance in the long run.
Copper wire is one of the cheapest options available today, but it works great for longer distances since it’s capable of carrying charge thanks to its high-tensile strength.
Durability
Getting a corrosion-resistant electric fence is the best way of going about things, especially if you live in an area where the elements are bound to affect it sooner rather than later.
Don’t just trust the manufacturers’ claims when it comes to durability. Look at the reviews that the product has acquired over time and see whether people haven’t experienced any issues in this sense.
Size
When it comes to the dimensions of an electric fence for horses, you should focus not just on the area you want to be covered, so the width, but also the height.
As you know, there are several different breeds of horses out there, so if the fence is low, they’ll jump over it even if they hurt themselves a bit. Consider this detail when making your final decision.
Ease of setup
Some fences are easier to install than others, and the same goes for their replacements. However, if you have never done it before, it might be a good idea to call a professional.
An electrician can tell you just what you’re supposed to do in terms of maintenance and care as time goes by and the fence risks becoming damaged due to the weather, the abuse inflicted on it by the horses, contaminants, or anything in this sense.
A temporary electric fence for horses is usually easier to install since you don’t have to set up any solar panels. Whichever you end up choosing, the fence should come with a spool that allows you to unroll and reel it back in.
Always stick to the instruction manual provided by the manufacturing company.
Safety
The voltage of the electric fence matters a lot when it comes to your final decision. It shouldn’t exceed 3,000 volts just to be on the safe side of things and prevent the horses from getting hurt.
Also, you should post signs around the fencing so that people don’t accidentally touch it, either.
Also Read: Best Electric Fence Chargers
FAQs
1. Are electric fences safe for horses?
Yes. Most of the models that we have come across and that are currently available do not deliver such powerful electric shocks as to hurt the animals.
They’ll merely give your horses a buzz so that they get scared and forget about leaving the area they’re supposed to be in. The fencing does need to be properly installed to be safe, though.
2. Do I need a fence energizer?
This is an absolutely necessary component since the electric fencing isn’t capable of doing its job unless it is provided with electricity coming from an outside source. So yes, you do need a fence energizer.
3. How much grounding is necessary?
It depends on the type of fencing you have opted for. However, if you want to use basic math to calculate the amount of grounding you’ll require, you can add about 3 feet of grounding per every joule of electricity output coming from the energizer.
4. How strong should an electric fence be for horses?
Sometimes, even an electric fence that delivers 2,000 volts can be enough for a horse to be deterred from that area. However, if the horses are particularly large and well-kept, they might respond better to fencing that delivers up to 3,000 volts.
5. How long can an electric fence for horses last?
High-tensile, permanent electric fences can last for one or even two decades, with the appropriate care and maintenance. If you suspect that your fencing might have sustained damage, you should call a professional or resort to the warranty service.
Fixing minor issues ahead of time is always a better idea than leaving the problem to become more severe and potentially affecting the functionality of the whole fence.
Conclusion
We hope that our guide and our suggestions in terms of products have helped you understand what the best electric fence for horses might be for your needs.
Make sure you get a dependable and good-quality one, but also focus on safety, especially when it comes to installation. Keep kids away from electric fences for horses or any other animals, for that matter.
