Electric fence VS Solar Powered?

Question

I have been the proud owner of a solar powered fence for the last 2 years. Until I brought my yearling home. He ran right through it. My husband went out and checked my fence, It has no juice in it. Lights flashing, all these years?? was it working or not?? we tested it when I first installed it, worked fine. Didn't have an issue till now. So I want to replace my fence....Does anyone recommend anything??? Is solar a waste of money or do you think it just might have been struck by lightning, what are the signs? or should i just buy the energizer( the other question about electric fences) and install a real electric fence, if so what do you recommend for yearlings. Any answers would be a great help. My best friend usually deals with my questions like this. (I am not a farmer by any means) But he sadly passed away in March. God I wish he were hear. I know he'd have a lot to say.

Thank you for taking the time to read.

Lucky

Answer 1

There are a lot of electric fences out here in cattle country.  The guys have the feeling that the 120 V models have more zapping power and probably last a little longer.  But solar can be much more convenient and most animals will learn to respect it IF IT WORKS.  They all need to be tested regularly.  So, 120 V is preferable if electricity is available.  You might want to tether the horse in a couple different spots so he can reach the fence but not get out to introduce him to the "rules" of the game.

Answer 2

Um..haha I don't recommend YOU forcing your horse into an electric fence...I'm no scientist...but it seems to me like you might get the shinola shocked out of you...haha.

However, how many strands of fence do you have?  My 3 year old, whom we have dubbed Houdini, enjoys getting out of the fence also because she is a heathen and likes to make me walk long distances to retrieve her golden butt.  

It kind of depends..maybe you could call the manufacture of the solar fence and see what their suggestions are...maybe they will give you a really good deal on a refurbished one?? I would also say if you only have a few lines of fence..that maybe you just need more to detour your new yearling..sometimes babies..just need to see MORE of a wall..haha....poor whittle babies.

Or you could call your local Tractor Supply store and tell them you HAD a solar power..it crapped out on you and you want the next best thing..or better thing?

Answer 3

I use solar. It can have a varying charge depending on weeds growing up through the fence or bird p**p on the solar cells. We check the fence very often. It has a meter on it that tells us how much current is being applied or if it's not hot. You may have a bad cell . Our fence has a serious ground wire made of copper that's buried in the ground according to specs for this purpose, so it's not affected by lightning. But we did have a yearling that walked through it. We use 4 strands [we have youngsters and this is enough of a barrier to be safe for them and most always contain them] of a rope type with a copper wire wound through it and not all 4 are charged. So we had to reconfigure the charged wires so that one ran right across the chest area of the yearling as we found that that wire was not a live one and he wasn't touching the others as he rolled through. This stopped the yearling immediately as the chest high wire is the one he'd touch with his nose and once it was zapped, that was it for him.

I got the fence from ElectroBraid. It is easy to install and reasonable to buy. Even with the fence off, it can't be run through and won't cut. A horse can get out if the juice is off by crawling between the ropes, but it takes effort and the adults don't bother, nor will they graze through it even when it's off. It has an intermittent zap instead of a solid one, which really impacts the horse but lets it go also. I have had it now for about 10 years.

Answer 4

I have a solar powereed box and I love it.

They make a small tag you can hang on the fence that tests to see if you have power running through the fence.

Most times you also can hear a small snap ifyou stand and listen to the fence. I can on mine. The horses can hear it too.

I have had other chargers in the past but greatly prefer this solar one.

Mine has a battery in it and that needs to be replaced every couple of years. The panel charges up the battery.

Mine was not expensive only around $100 and it powers about 5 miles of fence.

Answer 5

i am really sorry for your loss-- but he is in a better place.

SOLAR!! i would recogmend solar b.c. eventually it "pays for itself" if you know what i mean. Just be sure to test it ever so often. There are hundreds of different solar powered electric fences w/ different options-- i would probably say your last one got struck by lightning or some how had a short in one of the solar pannels wich caused it to not work. well hope i helped and hope you can find what you are looking for. GOOD LUCK!!

Answer 6

use horse safe fencing and then have electric fencing on the inside, if zapped enough your horse will learn to respect it

Answer 7

Well my trainers horse used to go through the fence too. get an electric fence and if he gets out (my trainers used to roll under it) then just back them into it and they will never do it again (believe me it works and doesn't hurt them)