If you’re managing horses in the field, a safe and efficient fencing system is a must. Patura electric fencing has become a favourite among UK horse owners for its reliability, flexibility, and ease of use. Whether you’re creating a new paddock or improving an existing setup, here’s how to build a system that works year-round – with minimal fuss.
Choosing the Right Fencing Layout
Before setting up your electric fencing, consider your grazing strategy. Are you rotating horses to prevent overgrazing, strip grazing for weight management, or installing a fixed boundary for year-round turnout? Patura electric fencing supports all these approaches. With high-visibility polytape for safety and durable polywire for larger grazing areas, it’s easy to design a flexible electric fence system that suits your horses, your land, and your daily routine.
If you're regularly changing your field layout, having the right tools and accessories at hand can make a big difference. A well-organised setup makes the job quicker and less of a chore – this is where reliable stable and yard equipment really comes into its own.
Person using a tensioning tool to tighten electric fence wire
Powering and Positioning Your Fence
Your energiser is what keeps the electric fence working effectively. Patura offers a choice of mains, battery, and solar-powered energisers, so you can pick what suits your field setup best. The size of your paddock matters – larger areas need a more powerful unit to keep the current consistent along the fence line. Getting the right match ensures your system stays reliable, whatever the layout.
Install your energiser in a sheltered, accessible location. Once it's in place, connect it to your conductor lines and check the voltage. A voltmeter reading will show if your setup is delivering a safe and steady current.
Installing Tape and Posts
Tension is key. Posts should be evenly spaced to keep lines taut – especially with wider polytape. Lightweight plastic posts are perfect for most grass fields and easy to move if you need to reconfigure. Add insulators securely and thread your tape or wire through carefully, keeping it level for both visibility and efficiency.
Don’t forget to check your fence after strong winds or wet weather. Damp grass or tangled weeds can sap energy from the line. Keeping the area tidy and well maintained makes all the difference.
Patura Rope Joiner securely connecting electric fence rope to a wooden post for a stable, conductive join
Extra Considerations for Safe Turnout
Electric fencing isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution – it works best as part of a thoughtful turnout system. For example, if your horse wears a headcollar in the field, choosing a field-safe option reduces the risk of accidents. These are designed to break under pressure, offering peace of mind without compromising control.
Water is another must. Even the best fencing setup falls short if your horse can’t access clean water easily. A few well-placed buckets or tubs inside the paddock ensure hydration throughout the day and can be switched out quickly in winter or warmer spells.
Preparing water buckets for horse turnout or field use
Keeping It Simple, Keeping It Safe
With Patura’s user-friendly fencing system and a few smart extras, building a safe paddock becomes a straightforward job. The setup is easy to adjust, the products are built to handle British weather, and routine checks help everything last longer.
For everyday horse owners, that means more time with your horse and fewer worries about fencing issues. Add in the right yard essentials, reliable field-safe kit, and easy-care water solutions, and you've got a field setup that works well all year round.
