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Electric fencing is not allowed in some areas, so check with your municipality before putting up an electric fence. Some horses learn to run through the wire, and injury can occur if a horse. ElectroBraid® is the most recommended horse fence for safety by veterinarians. It is highly visible, and unlike other electric fencing, ElectroBraid® is designed to absorb the impact of a panicked horse and contain them, much like a boxing ring. ElectroBraid® is covered by an exclusive 25-year warranty—longer than any other electric fence.
Over the past 50 years or so, electric fencing has become the preferred choice for sheep, horse and cattle farmers. Electric fencing not only helps keep your herds contained by teaching them their boundaries, but it can also be an excellent deterrent to predators when used correctly.
However, choosing electric fencing is only the first decision. Deciding which type of fencing is best for your situation relies on many different factors. This article will discuss the benefits of different electric fence types for your pasture.
Conducting Materials by Species
Sheep
For temporary pastures, fencing is primarily made of mobile mesh networks with a height of 90 cm. The benefits of these temporary fences is that they are quick and easy to set up and help prevent small lambs from slipping through. Not only that but they are also economically affordable. The mesh width should be tighter at the bottom in order to prevent “head-stretching” and the lowest horizontal wire is not electrified because of grounding. In order to improve the functionality of the net, the vertical wires should include conductors in intervals.
In the case of (semi) fixed posts, a pasture fence with four to five rows of electric rope is suitable for sheep pastures. They are also easy to set up and maintain. Wide electric tapes are not suitable for sheep. The reason for this is that in order to get an electric shock, the sheepskin must be in contact with the conductor. Thin ropes and wires penetrate through the dense, insulating fur much better than wide bands.
Horses
Stability and visibility are extremely important for horse fencing. For this reason, the electric tape or rope must be at a proper height to increase visibility forthe horses.
40 mm fence tape is particularly suitable for semi-permanent fences. Due to their wide width, the tapes are easy to see and represent a high optical barrier for the horse. Often times, 40 mm tapes are combined with 20 mm tapes or an electric fence rope. In this case, the 40 mm band will always constitute the top row, as this is the most visible to the horse.
Electric fence ropes are used in areas in areas with stronger weather situations. Because of their smaller diameter, ropes are less sensitive to high winds and snow. They are also somewhat easier to install, but on the downside they are less visible and do not provide as strong of an optical deterrent for the horses.
Tip: If you work with ropes, install Litzclip Safety Links in a few places. These simple additions, placed in key areas of your fencing, can help keep your horses safe and your fence from major damage in the event of a breakthrough.
Cattle
10 mm electric tape or rope are both great choices for cow and cattle fencing. Using them in combination is also very effective because cattle electric fencing should include at least two rows. Again, in this case the upper row should be the fence tape since it is more visible to the cattle. Ropes and tape do present a minor risk of injury to cattle if they run into the fence.
Electric Fence Voltages
The resistance of your fencing conductor is extremely important to understand when installing an electric fence. The longer your fence, the lower the electrical resistance of the conductor material should be. This insures that there is adequate current throughout the entire fence line.
The electrical resistance of the conductor material is usually expressed in Ω / m. The smaller Ω / m, the longer the electric fence can be because the conductor is “resisting” less current and allowing it to carry on through the fence.
Conductor material with more than 1 Ω / m can only be used for small to medium fences. If your conductor material has values below 1 Ω / m, your pasture fence can be up to several kilometers long. Please pay attention to the indicated recommended maximum fence length when buying your materials.
Conductivity
Copper is known to carry the highest conductivity, making it extremely efficient. Nirosta wires, however, are more fracture-resistant. The combination of stainless steel and copper or tin wires is therefore ideal. Simple plastic lines with no copper or tin conductors are by no means recommended for external fences due to their lack of conductivity.
TriCOND® is a new conductor material which exhibits 5x higher conductivity when compared to other non-rusting wires of the same thickness. Using TriCOND® conductor material in tapes, wires and ropes leads to 5x longer fences.
Although these materials do have long-life expectancies there may often still be breaks, cracks or other defects in the pasture fence inhibiting the current flow in the fence. In order to repair it quickly and safely, you should always have a few Litzclip® connectors in your pocket. Electric fence connectors from Litzclip have no measurable resistance, therefor the use of Litzclip will not affect the flow of your pasture fence. A quick and reliable fence fix!
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What is ElectroBraid® Horse Fence?
ElectroBraid® is a permanent electric horse fence designed especially for horses. It is both a physical barrier and a psychological deterrent. It is highly visible to horses, strong, durable and resilient.
What does it look like?
ElectroBraid® looks like high quality braided yachting rope. A double helix of copper wire conductors is braided into the outer jacket of the electric fence rope. 3 or 4 strands of Braid™ of ¼ inch diameter are mounted on insulators on fence posts. Horse fence posts can be wood, vinyl or steel, spaced 30 to 50 feet apart. The Braid™ comes in white, checkered, or black.
Why is it new and different?
Traditional electric horse fence uses small diameter steel wires, which are hard for horses to see. The ropes of ElectroBraid® are highly visible. ElectroBraid® can absorb the energy of a panicked horse and will typically bounce the horse back into its pasture with no harm to horse or fence.
Safe
What makes ElectroBraid® a safe horse fence?
There are no impact injuries. There are no sharp points or hard edges. There are no boards to break or splinter. There are no wires to cut or puncture. Horses crib on board fences and rub against it. Even minor cuts can become seriously infected. The worst potential injury with ElectroBraid® is if a horse is able to wrap a strand of Braid™ completely around a rear leg and struggles. The prospect of such an accident can be virtually eliminated by wiring and grounding the fence correctly and by keeping the Braid™ taut. Horse Safety Page
How do horses feel about ElectroBraid®?
“Horses love ElectroBraid® !” our customers tell us. Horses are herd animals, born to roam free in wide-open spaces. With ElectroBraid® fence, all the horses can see each other and stallions can see their mares. There are no places for predators to hide. Horses don’t pace up and down their fence line. Owners say horses are more relaxed. They can see you and you can see them!
Is the electric shock harmless?
The electric shock from a UL or CSA approved fence energizer is completely harmless. The shock is extremely low amperage for 3/10,000 of a second, once a second, but it is an immediate, unpleasant psychological deterrent. Once shocked, neither you, nor your horse, want to touch the fence again.
Simple
How does it work?
ElectroBraid® horse fencing is both a physical barrier and a psychological deterrent. Once a horse receives a shock, the horse will not go near the fence again. It won’t rub against the fence. It won’t crib on it. And it won’t try to jump over it or go through it or go under. It doesn’t want to get shocked again.
Can I really space posts up to 50 feet apart?
Yes! Spacing does depend on your weather and terrain. The standard spacing we recommend is 50 feet. This means fewer fence posts, less work, less cost and less maintenance! If you have rolling terrain or high snowfall you may want to reduce spacing to 25-30 feet.
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Can I use any energizer with ElectroBraid®?
Please ensure your energizer is low impedance and certified safe by UL or CSA. It is vital the energizer you choose be powerful enough to meet your needs. In the competitive market of energizers, manufactures considerably overstate the length of fence each energizer is capable of electrifying. A simple rule of thumb is to match your length of fence to 1/10th the energizer’s rating. Certified ElectroBraid® Chargers.
WARNING: NEVER use an Energizer labeled “WEED BURNER” or “WEED CHOPPER”; they are unsafe and will damage ElectroBraid®”. NOTE: ElectroBraid® uses pure copper, which is the third best electrical conductor next to silver and gold. Copper is 70 times more conductive than stainless steel.
Do I have to stop weeds from growing up around ElectroBraid®?
Yes. ElectroBraid® is not significantly affected by grass growing up around it. The copper conductor is only a small percentage of the ElectroBraid® surface area. Therefore, you don’t have to spend a lot of time mowing under the ElectroBraid® fence. However, heavy, wet tuffs of grass, bushes or branches pressing against ElectroBraid® can drain power and cause a loss of voltage. At least once a year, weeds, bushes and tree branches should be cleared from the immediate fence area.
Note: Routine voltage testing of the electric horse fence is a good indicator as to when to mow.
What type of electric fence posts do I require?
You can use any type of fence post that you want, as long as the Braid™ is insulated. Most customers choose wooden fence posts – 6″ diameter for ends and corners, and 3-4″ for line posts. Fiberglass fence posts do not require insulators. T-posts can also be used.
Economical
Why is the installed cost low?
ElectroBraid® can be self-installed with hand-tools, by almost anyone… like stringing clothesline. A professional fence installer is not required. ElectroBraid® costs 17.5 cents a foot, which is among the cheapest options of horse fencing cost. Fence posts can be set 30 to 50 feet apart depending on terrain and local snow conditions. By contrast, conventional horse fences require a post every 8 or 10 feet. To relocate your ElectroBraid® fence, you don’t need a contractor.
Why is maintenance cost low?
If you properly install your corner and end posts, they won’t move. Brass and copper components won’t corrode. Occasionally an insulator might break and need replacement. Little else will need repair. ElectroBraid® stands up to lightning strikes remarkably well. The double helix of copper in the Braid™ functions in the same manner as a lightning arrestor, often preventing damage to the energizer. Typically, only a few hundred feet of Braid™ may need to be replaced. If a tree falls on the fence, cut it off and the ElectroBraid® should spring right back. Horses don’t crib on ElectroBraid® or rub against it. The fence is seldom if ever damaged by storms, including ice storms and tornadoes. Fence repairs are quick and easily done by hand.
How does ElectroBraid® Fence compare to other electric horse fencing options?
Article: What are the best horse fence options?
Stranded electric rope “unravels” under tension and needs constant tightening. By contrast, ElectroBraid® is dimensionally stable because of its braided-over-inner-core construction. Provided the Braid™ is properly tensioned when installed, the Braid™ will maintain its tautness with only occasional re-tensioning.
Woven electrical horse tape contains parallel electrical conductors. These fence wires take much of the strain and tension. The wires tend to break under windy conditions. By contrast the copper wire conductors in ElectroBraid® are formed in helical coils like springs. This allows bend and stretch. All tension is taken by the fiber strands. The copper wires won’t break under tension. Electric polywire is lightweight and small diameter. It breaks easily and can cut horseflesh like a knife.
Conventional high tensile wire (HTW) electric fence is good for cattle but not for horses. Unlike cattle, horses are excitable, high-strung animals. Horses often don’t see the steel fence wires. The wires can break under impact and wrap, cut and puncture flesh.
Certain electric fence rail systems are especially made for horses. These are worth considering but tend to be expensive to install and may not be as safe as ElectroBraid®.
What fence maintenance is required?
Walk the fence line to confirm your fence has not been damaged. Check the voltage regularly. Mow weeds from under your fence as needed. In the spring, make sure no fence posts have been heaved by frost.
Why does ElectroBraid® specify fence accessories of copper, brass and glass-filled nylon?
Quality… Quality… Quality… It costs a little more but saves a fortune in performance and durability. Brass is an alloy of copper. Glass filled nylon is the strongest available commercial plastic material for insulator construction. Copper and brass are compatible metals. Brass is an alloy of copper. They don’t suffer the natural electrolytic corrosion that occurs when dissimilar metals come in contact with each other. Copper does not rust. It develops an oxidized protective coating called a “patina”. Next to gold and silver, copper is the best natural conductor of electricity. Copper is 70 times more conductive than steel. Telephone and power companies use only copper wiring.
Copper is such a soft metal, will it break, or rust?
No. A copper wire on its own will break, but ElectroBraid® is engineered to braid copper wires into a cushion of polyester fiber. The copper is braided into the outer jacket in two opposing directions that cross three times per inch. The copper wires form two helical coils like springs. This construction allows bend and stretch, without putting strain on the copper itself. In fact, under extreme tension, ElectroBraid® itself will break before the copper wires.
Pure copper oxidizes but only on the surface in the form of a dark green patina. Like paint, this thin coating of oxidization prevents any further oxidization. Surface oxidation does not weaken the copper nor does it reduce electrical conductivity. Pure copper, as used in ElectroBraid®, has been known to last hundreds of years, such as copper roofs on buildings. Copper is, of course, the metal used in household electrical wiring.
Secure
What makes ElectroBraid® a secure horse fence?
ElectroBraid® has the resilience and the strength to resist the impact of a stallion – it just stretches, and then springs back. It is secure because, unlike conventional board horse fencing, ElectroBraid® shocks a horse. The horse doesn’t understand what happened – it just knows it wants to stay clear in future. A horse has never voluntarily jumped any ElectroBraid® Fence, to our knowledge.
How durable is ElectroBraid® Horse Fence?
The high-grade polyester fiber is the same fiber used in automotive seat belts and parachute harnesses. Polyester resists attack by ultra-violet light, salt, manure and most farm chemicals. The copper develops an oxidized outer layer or ‘patina’ that protects the copper wire from corrosion. The Braid™ carries a 25 year warranty.
Will the sun affect the polyester jacket?
No. The high-grade polyester we use is virtually unaffected by sunlight. That is why it is used for seat belts, cargo straps, parachute harness and other safety applications. Over time, the white Braid will yellow slightly but this will not reduce its strength. An independent laboratory subjected ElectroBraid® to a standard ASTM test for extreme ultra violet (UV) radiation and there was no product deterioration.
How long can I expect the ElectroBraid® Fence to last?
Based on independent laboratory tests, we confidently provide a 25 year performance warranty that ElectroBraid® will not rust, rot, lose strength due to sunlight or weathering, or break in a normal permanent fence installation.
Versatile
Is this a permanent, portable or temporary horse fencing option?
ElectroBraid® is versatile. ElectroBraid® can stand alone as a permanent perimeter fence or it can be used as a portable, temporary electric horse fence; added to protect a board or wire mesh fence; or combined with vinyl or pipe.
How can ElectroBraid® protect an existing horse fence?
Mount ElectroBraid® as a single strand on top of almost any fence. The psychological deterrence to horses is dramatic. Dell Hendricks, Top 10 Reigning Champion, had a stallion that regularly jumped his pipe and cable fence, to impregnate a neighbor’s mares. When a single strand of ElectroBraid® was added, the stallion never jumped the fence again (Don’t use cheap high tensile wire or polywire fence options – they are both unsafe to horses).
Can ElectroBraid® be used as an electric fence for deer?
A 2006 independent study from the University of Nebraska and the United States Department of Agriculture/Wildlife Services, found that ElectroBraid® is a safe and effective electric fence for deer control. ElectroBraid® is an effective deer fence to keep deer out of cornfields, and it is even being used as a deer control method to keep deer off airport runways.
Can ElectroBraid® be used for other animals besides horses?
Yes! In addition to serving as America’s safest horse fence, ElectroBraid® can also be used as:
- Electric fence for goats
- Sheep fencing
- Livestock and cattle fencing
- Moose and Elk fencing
- Llama and Alpaca fencing
- Other specialty animal fencing
Why ElectroBraid® Horse Fence?
ElectroBraid® is an easily installed, permanent electric horse fencing system designed to provide a safe and secure fence. It is both a physical barrier and a psychological deterrent, and is highly visible to horses. ElectroBraid® is strong, durable and resilient. ElectroBraid® Fencing will save you time, money, and trouble.