Electric Fencing for Agricultural, Smallholding & Equestrian Use

Shop Electric Fencing by Type

Select the electric fencing equipment you need to create a new fence, extend an existing system or replace worn components.

• Electric fence energisers – choose an appropriate output for the total fence length, livestock and conditions.
• Battery fence energisers – practical for remote fields, temporary paddocks, strip grazing and locations without mains electricity.
• Mains fence energisers – provide consistent power for permanent and larger fencing systems where a suitable mains supply is available.
• Solar fence energisers – particularly useful for remote locations, using solar energy to support battery charging.
• Electric fence posts – create temporary boundaries, grazing divisions and movable fence lines quickly.
• Electric fence tape – provides a highly visible conductor, making it particularly useful for horses and equestrian paddocks.
• Electric fence wire – a versatile conductor for suitable agricultural, livestock and permanent or semi-permanent fencing applications.
• Electric poultry netting – provides flexible containment for poultry and suitable smaller livestock around farms and smallholdings.
• Electric fence insulators – isolate the conductor from non-insulated posts to help prevent unwanted power loss.
• Electric fence reels – make temporary fencing quicker and easier to deploy, collect, move and store.
• Wire tensioners and strainers – help maintain correctly tensioned, tidy and effective fence lines.

Choosing the Right Electric Fencing

An effective electric fence works as a complete system rather than a collection of individual components. The energiser supplies short electrical pulses, the tape or wire carries the pulse around the fence, insulators prevent unwanted current leakage through posts, and an effective earthing system completes the circuit when an animal touches the conductor.

Selecting the right system depends on the animals being contained, total fence length, number of electrified strands, vegetation levels, whether the fence is permanent or temporary and access to a suitable power source.

The correct set-up will also depend on how the land is managed. Horses benefit from highly visible fencing, while cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry may require different conductor types, fence heights, strand configurations or electric netting. Temporary systems are particularly useful for rotational grazing, strip grazing and paddock division, while more permanent installations require components designed for longer-term use.

Choosing a Power Source

• Mains: choose mains power where a suitable electricity supply is conveniently available and a consistent power source is required.
• Battery: choose battery power for remote fields, temporary fencing or regularly moved grazing divisions.
• Solar: consider solar power where mains electricity is unavailable and the location receives sufficient daylight to support the system.

Choosing Tape, Wire or Netting

• Use highly visible tape where visibility is especially important, including many equestrian applications.
• Consider wire where a narrower conductor is appropriate for the livestock, installation and fencing system.
• Use suitable electric netting where poultry or appropriate smaller livestock require a more complete physical and electrical boundary.

Electric Fence Energiser Output and Fence Length

Do not select an electric fence energiser on field perimeter alone. Consider its output, measured in joules, the manufacturer's recommended powered distance, total conductor length, vegetation load and the type of livestock being contained.

Total conductor length is particularly important. A 1 km boundary fitted with three electrified strands contains approximately 3 km of powered conductor. This can significantly affect the energiser capacity required, especially on larger farms, multi-paddock systems and installations with several electrified lines.

Manufacturer distance figures may be based on favourable conditions. In real-world installations, wet vegetation, long grass, damaged insulators, poor connections and inadequate earthing can reduce fence performance. Heavy vegetation touching the conductor can draw energy away from the fence, making routine field maintenance an important part of maintaining an effective system.

Electric Fence Earthing, Testing and Maintenance

Earthing is an essential part of an electric fencing system. Even a powerful energiser cannot perform correctly if the earth system is inadequate for the energiser and ground conditions. Follow the energiser manufacturer's instructions for earth stakes, positioning and connections, and routinely inspect terminals, leads and connections for corrosion or damage.

For horses, visibility should be considered alongside conductivity. Position fencing appropriately for the horses using the paddock and regularly inspect posts, tape, wire, connections and insulators for wear or damage. Agricultural systems should likewise be designed around the species being contained, field conditions and pressure on the boundary.

Pro tip: never assess your entire electric fence by testing immediately beside the energiser. Use a suitable fence tester at several points around the system, including the furthest sections from the power source. A strong reading close to the energiser does not necessarily mean the entire fence line is performing effectively.

Keep grass, weeds and hedgerow growth away from live conductors wherever practical. When temporary tape, wire, posts and reels are not required, clean off heavy dirt and store reusable components somewhere dry and protected from unnecessary UV exposure, moisture and physical damage.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of electric fencing is best for livestock?

The best system depends on the species, field size and whether the fence is permanent or temporary. Horses often benefit from highly visible tape, while wire, suitable rope or electric netting may be appropriate for cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry and other livestock.

How powerful should my electric fence energiser be?

Choose according to total conductor length, number of electrified strands, animal type and vegetation load. Larger, multi-strand fences and challenging vegetation generally require greater energiser capacity than short, well-maintained temporary enclosures. Always check the manufacturer's specifications.

Can electric fencing be used for rotational grazing?

Yes. Portable posts, reels, tape or wire and a suitable battery or solar energiser can create movable divisions for rotational and strip grazing, helping farmers, smallholders and horse owners manage pasture efficiently.