Updated! Fencing & Fence Chargers

As I’m shopping for fencing for the runways, and also am replacing the fence charger, this seemed a timely topic.
There are four types of fences at Oak Hill:
The perimeter pasture/runway fence is permanent and must keep the horses on the property when they are in the runways. This fence does not have to contain the goats, as the goats don’t graze the runways.
The fence that separates the runways from the pastures as well as divides the pastures must be horse and goat proof. The goats are not allowed in the runways, as they faint when startled and could get trampled by a horse by accident.
The third type of fence surrounds the goat pens and must be goat and predator proof.
The fourth type of fence encloses the horse corrals.

I chose electric fencing for the perimeter. Board fence was higher maintenance, and also outside my planned spending. I researched various types of electric fence and decided that HorseGuard sounded like my best option. http://www.horseguardfence.com/ HorseGuard makes a 1 1/2″ tape fence with stainless steel wires. The fencing held up well in tests for weathering and high winds, is highly visible to the horses, and will break if a horse gets seriously tangled up, while withstanding lesser impacts without damage. I’ve had this fencing up for at least 6 years now. I’ve had trees fall on the fence, trucks drive over it, had lightening strikes, high winds – the fence still looks as good as the day I installed it and carries a charge well. I had one small section loose all it’s wires and terminals from a direct lightening hit. I’m using a 3 strands, with the top set at 4 feet.

For the inner fence that creates the runways and divides the pastures, I’ve used some less expensive electric tape fence that is 1″ wide at the top and twisted plastic and wire for the lower strands. I’ve noticed that this less expensive fencing stretches much easier than the HorseGuard and is already sagging in spots. I’ve set the inner fence at the same 4 foot height, and the 3 lower strands at 9″, 18″ and 24″ above the ground to contain the goats and livestock dog.

The fence charger or controller is a critical part of any electric fence system. Here are some good websites I found during my research.

http://www.ibiblio.org/farming-connection/grazing/features/fencemis.htm 17 Mistakes To Avoid With Electric Fencing by Wayne Burleson The article focuses on electric high tensile. However, many of the suggestions are useful for tape fencing.

Useful charts from Zareba that give fencing calculators and joules, number of ground rods and effective distance for various chargers.

http://www.zarebasystems.com/PRODUCTS/FENCE_CONTROLLERS.ASPX Zareba manufactures electric fence systems, including chargers.

Besides looking for the appropriate voltage and joules, I suggest looking for a charger with fuses you can change yourself and lightening protection. I’m also looking for at least 5 joules, to prevent voltage drop if the line touches vegetation, and also at least 4000 volts on the fenceline to handle goats, stubborn shaggy ponies and livestock guardian dogs. I’ve used a number of chargers over the years. I’ve tripled the fencing I need to charge, and added goats, so I’m shopping for a new charger that can handle the increased load. So far I like the Dare for it’s all-weather construction and easy-to-service modular circuitry. http://dareproducts.com/products

The goat pen fencing is 4 foot welded wire, and I’m adding electric tape 6″ above the ground and along the top as predator deterrant.

The horse corrals are wooden board (oak) with locust posts. I chose wood to have a fence that would withstand pressure from confined horses and work even during extended power outages.

Until next time, happy fencing!

Carrie

PS – the horses aren’t the only critters enjoying the runways and woods corral…