Introducing a horse to electric fence

[johnnysauntie]

In three weeks I'm moving my 13 year old OTTB to a new barn where horses are turned out in small groups (3-4 horses at the most.) The paddock fences have electric wire on the top and bottom rails that the BO says is on the hot side (I don't know what the voltage is but she indicated that it's a bit hotter than the norm, because they rely on the electric wire to keep their dogs on the property.)

The BO plans to introduce him to his new group by turning him out with the low man in the group, and then gradually introducing the others over the course of the day, bringing in the alpha horse last.

I'm pretty sure that my guy has never seen electric wire before. I would think that their first reaction to hot wire could be pretty dramatic. I'm just concerned that he could have a total freakout the first time he gets zapped.

What's the best practice for introducing hot fencing? Is the BO's plan for introducing him to his turn out group really all that's going to be needed vis a vis exposing him to the fence for the first time?

[deltawave]

Maybe the first time let him be out there alone, if you're worried. In all honesty, though, IME horses are mortally offended and startled the first time they experience a hot wire, but I've personally never had one do more than jump and snort a little. If he's prone to over-reacting, though--maybe solo the first time, boots on his legs if you really think he'll "blow". I think he'll surprise you, though--most horses don't flip out at all.

[johnnysauntie]

Thank you, DW, for soothing my jangly nerves about this.

[deltawave]

Just don't grab the fence yourself--talk about jangly nerves! :eek: I can feel it for a WEEK if I touch mine. I *hate* electricity. Brrrrr!

[KitKat987]

Take the opportunity to have a good laugh the first time your horse experiences the shock. Really, I've never seen one completely flip out. Usually they snort, head and chest puff out, and then look at me with the most shocked, horrified, I can't believe that just happened, look on their faces. I may be mean, but it really can be quite hilarious.

[deltawave]

And the really obstreperous (or not very bright) ones have to try it again. :lol:

[greysandbays]

Absolutely make the first turnout either ALONE or with a buddy he's already acquainted with. No horse needs to be figuring out an electric fence in a new place AND a New Herd Order at the same time.

If the fence is highly visible and has the hot wire as an auxillary rather than primary containment feature, your problems will be nominal. What I try to do is make sure the horse knows the wire is there before he gets a shock. So that when he gets a shock, he knows it was THE WIRE, and not some freak of nature that "just happened" out of nowhere.

Unless the alpha is a mean SOB, and you know "low man" is just aching for a buddy, I'd maybe question the idea of making the "low man" his first aquaintence. Sometimes it is the lower ranking herd members who will try to beat the crap out of a newbie. It's their first (and maybe only) chance to not be "low man" anymore. The alpha often kinda takes their position for granted and assumes a newbie will be "low man" of the two. Newbie is usually happy to oblige.

It can be a real advantage for a newbie to have a non-confrontational relationship with the assured alpha before encountering the rest of the "low men" who may have something to prove.

[chancellor2]

And the really obstreperous (or not very bright) ones have to try it again. :lol:

That would be Moosie. You can practically HEAR him saying to himself, "Wait, did that really happen?"

[BramblewoodAcres]

When I introduced my OTTB to electric for the first time...he touched it with his nose, got "bit", obtained a little jet propulsion from the resulting explosive farts, did a super-sonic rollback away from the fence...then eyeballed that naughty wire as if daring it to bite him again. He hasn't touched it since.

[Wonders12]

I agree, don't worry about it too much. If you can, maybe ask the BO to turn down the voltage for an hour or so until he gets his first shock. Most horses are confused, but don't really care.

Have you ever shocked yourself with one? I have accidentally, and while it's uncomfortable (like someone said, I feel it for a week), it's not even freakout worthy on my level. And chances are your horse is MUCH bigger than I am.

Put some boots on if you're really concerned, but I've never seen or heard of a problem. They figure it out on their own. :-)

[starkissed]

they usually just snort and fly back and go WHAT THE???? I wouldnt worry about it, he will find out. Put an OLD QUIET horse out with him that will just laugh when he touches it

[Saidapal]

When I introduced my OTTB to electric for the first time...he touched it with his nose, got "bit", obtained a little jet propulsion from the resulting explosive farts, did a super-sonic rollback away from the fence...then eyeballed that naughty wire as if daring it to bite him again. He hasn't touched it since.

That is written so I could see it happen. Thanks for the laugh.

I did see one sit down once. He was so surprised he kind of just rolled back so he was sitting there with a very confused expression his face. I was never sure if it was from the fence or from suddenly finding himself in such an undignified position. When he got up he just sort of ambled off with an 'I meant to do that' look. He must have been around hot wire before and just needed reminding.

Me, I LOFF hot wire. Wonderful way to keep the fence intact and the horses safe.

[SmartAlex]

We made a grazing area next tot he barn with electric tape. My horse had only ever been in a plank paddock. I put him on a rope, let him graze up to it. When he got to the tape, he looked at like "is this something I have to go over or under" sniffed it, got "bit" on the soft wittle nose and had his H-Fing-H moment. He slammed it in reverse, but stopped at the end of the rope so no major dramatics. He got his comforting, and he has never gone near it again.

[mvp]

Could be BS, but some say horses can hear/feel the pulses. No, your horse won't know what they mean at first, so he'll have to learn the hard way. Unless he's off-the-chart stupid, masochistic or screwed by the rest of his herd, he won't make the mistake twice.

But horses who do know about electric fences are sometimes bold about pushing the envelope, as in reaching around the fence for treats or grass and coming remarkably close to it. Others seem to magically know when the fence is off or shorted out.

[Trees4U]

I've seen them sniff at it. They can tell when its off or on. I was turning one of mine out with a lead that had the chain on it and I accidentally touched the wire myself. Not only did I get a big thump- it traveled thru me up the nylon lead with chain to my horse who promptly popped up and came down on my foot- fracturing my instep!:eek: Talk about unlucky.....

[FindersKeepers]

My mare metthe electric fence for the first time at the age of 18. She touched it, made a "WHAT THE FRUITBAT?!" face, and snorted. Then... she walked up to the fence, and looked at me as if to say "ok, that was funny, you got me... no more" she touched it again.

That was the last time. There was no explosion, they're just surprised.

[Tom Bloomer]

Expect your horse to react like it was stung by a bee. 'nuther words, he'll cuss like a drunken sailor what just stubbed his toe on a bollard, and then move on. Of course the other horses will laugh at him knowingly. ;)

[crosscreeksh]

Just a bit of trivia...a horse doesn't "hear" the click of the fence...if he's smart enough to approach with caution...the moisture in his exhaled breath picks up the electric charge given off by the fence/fencer, when he inhales the mild airborne charge is transmitted back to his nostrils warning him of the electricity!! If he's a bit enthusiastic or downright stupid he may go ahead and touch it anyway!!! Fact for the day!!!!

[baysngreys]

If they've "met" electric before, they'll roll their eyes and keep a step or two away.

I've got one horse that will check if it's on - every time he's in the electric paddock! And I mean every single time!!
I don't know if he's dumb or if he figures it worth a shock as the grass growing just outside is really nice right now!
It doesn't help that one day it was left off by accident and he was able to graze under the wire, so now he has-to-try-just-once-more!

[deltawave]

ust a bit of trivia...a horse doesn't "hear" the click of the fence...if he's smart enough to approach with caution...the moisture in his exhaled breath picks up the electric charge given off by the fence/fencer, when he inhales the mild airborne charge is transmitted back to his nostrils warning him of the electricity!! If he's a bit enthusiastic or downright stupid he may go ahead and touch it anyway!!! Fact for the day!!!!

Citation, please. I struggled to get good grades in physics but that's a little "out there" for me. :)

[LuvMyTB]

I brought my new OTTB "home" (new boarding barn) two weeks ago, and he was introduced to hotwire right away as the whole place is fenced with it. He was alone in a small paddock. Walked up, put his nose on it, and SHAZAM! it zapped him and he flew backwards with a total WTF look on his face.

He tried it a few more times that day and got zinged each time, but he is none the worse for the wear. :)

[JWB]

Get out the video camera and the popcorn. I recommend a tripod for the camera too but avoid drinks because they could go up your nose when you laugh....

In all seriousness, best to let him deal with it alone. If possible, have another horse out near by but not where it can threaten him. Trust me, they figure it out pretty quickly. I love it. My mare was always getting cuts and scrapes from leaning on the boards. One strand around the top and she leaves the fence alone now. It was also fantastic for a very studly young draft horse (had been recently gelded) who learned he could lean on the fence to get to the ladies....

Yes, they get zapped once or twice but it doesn't cause any harm to them and it saves a bundle in broken boards, scrapes and nicks, etc.

[psychurmine]

What's the best practice for introducing hot fencing?

with a lounge chair and two beers.

[sparky6]

My gelding and one of his buddies were big time troublemakers at our old barn (they enjoyed rearranging fences) especially when they were together (and they were pasture mates) so BO strung some hot wire along the inside of the fence. Gelding's buddy was always very mouthy and curious so he walked right up and bit the fence. :lol: He learned his lesson!

[lauriep]

with a lounge chair and two beers.

Absolutely! I'm in the "think it's hilarious, LOVE my electric fence camp."