A safe pasture does not happen by accident
Caring for a horse's nutrition, training and welfare requires a lot of attention. As a horse owner, you already have a lot on your mind. So you don't want your fences to become an issue as well. Fortunately, that's not necessary either. By giving your electric fence a major overhaul every year and investing in good materials, you ensure that your horse can graze safely without you having to be constantly busy.
Prevent accidents with the Gallagher Check
Maintenance is not difficult. Gallagher has developed the Gallagher Check especially for this purpose. This free manual helps you check your electric fences step by step. An important point, for example, is that the electric fence wire (rope, tape, etc.) is always properly stretched. Slack hanging wire poses a great risk, as a horse can get entangled in it if it rolls around. Moreover, slack wire does not break in a breakout, allowing a horse to pull the entire electric fence with it. Sufficient current on the fence is also essential. This way, the horse learns to respect and avoid the fence.
Want to know how to check your fence step by step?
A safe basis for horses
Good maintenance starts with the right basis. A fence suitable for cows can be dangerous for horses. Most horse owners know that barbed wire is not an option, but what really makes a fence safe? Some key points and tips:
- Use highly visible electric fence wire such as 40 mm tape, rope or EquiFence cable.
- The material should not cut or entangle, or have protruding parts.
- The electric fence wire should always be the weakest link in the fence so that it breaks and a breaking horse does not drag the whole fence with it. In practice, it happens more often that insulators break off first or corner posts are pulled out of the ground.
Is there too little current on the wire (below 3.5 kV)? Then the conduction of the electric fence is often the cause, not the energiser. Cheaper electric fences contain less iron and copper, so the current is not conducted as well and does not reach far enough. It also often happens that electric fences are knotted together and the current is simply not transmitted properly in the knot.
If you are unsure about a solution, a Gallagher fencing specialist will be happy to visit you and discuss the best option for you.
Less maintenance
Electric fences are exposed to sun, wind and rain all year round. Plastic parts that are initially fine can quickly become brittle and break under the influence of UV light. Cheap electric fence wire also stretches faster, so you need to clamp it more often. If you don't do this, it wears out extra quickly and has to be replaced early. This is why it is safer to choose high-quality fencing products. For example, high-quality tape has a reinforced top and bottom wire, so it stays taut longer and requires less maintenance. Quality insulators also last much longer as they are less likely to become brittle.
Want a truly the safest and low-maintenance fence? Then choose an EquiFence fence. It offers years of maximum security and minimal maintenance. In the long run, such a fence can even be more economical.
A safe pasture for every horse
A well-maintained electric fence not only means less worry for you as a horse owner, but above all a safer environment for your horse. With the right materials, regular checks and high-quality maintenance, you can prevent accidents and ensure that your horse can go out to pasture with peace of mind. When was the last time your fences were serviced?