Things You'll Need:
- Electric wire Solar fence charger Ground rod Wood posts Gloves Post hole diggers (or tractor and auger attachment) Fence pliers Insulators Nails and hammer Cement Splicers
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Step 1
Measure the area where the horse fence is going to be. Measure to get the exact length so money is not wasted on unneeded material. Electric fencing does not need posts that are close together. Posts can be anywhere from 12 feet to 21 feet apart. This saves money without sacrificing safety.
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Step 2
Find a lumber yard that sells discounted lumber. Most hardware and lumber stores have "second" rate lumber and must sell it at a lower price. Get as many wooden posts as you need, with as being "seconds" as possible. Wood posts are cheaper than metal or fiberglass posts and are just as safe for electric fencing if used properly. Also remember to purchase larger corner posts (at least 6 inches in diameter).
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Step 3
Decide how many strands of electric wire you need. Horses can be safely contained with two or three strands of wire. Smaller animals need several more strands. Buy the wire according to your measurements. Purchase the other equipment, such as a solar charger, ground rod and enough insulators for each post.
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Step 4
Install the corner posts first. Dig the holes and set the corner posts at least 36 inches into the ground. Use a small bag of cement and some water to place the posts. Allow them to set for one day and then fill the holes with dirt. Tie a string from each corner post to the next so you can place the posts between in a straight line.
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Step 5
Measure and place the line posts. Dig the holes, place the line posts and fill the holes in. Unroll the wire and place it near the posts. Slide enough insulators down the wire so that each post has an insulator on it. The wire can't touch the posts when turned on, so it must be attached to the posts through the insulators. The insulators will be nailed to the posts and the wire will run through them.
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Step 6
Install the terminal insulators at the corner posts, attach the wire, then attach the strands of wire to each line post, starting at the bottom of the post and working to the top strand. The wire should be taut but not too tight. The horses will not be leaning on the fence since it will be electrified.
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Step 7
Use fence pliers and metal splicers (found at stores where electric fence supplies are found) to attach the wire to the corner posts. Slide the wire through a long insulator and then slip the end through a metal splicer. Attach the splicer to the wire on the other side of the post (make a full circle around the post) and squeeze the splicer closed with the fence pliers. Do this for each strand of wire.
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Step 8
Attach a splicer to the top strand of wire and insert the end of a six foot piece of wire into it. Use a splicer on each strand of wire and slide the same six foot piece of wire into them. Connect this piece of wire to the ground rod in the ground. Use another piece of wire to connect to the ground rod and a separate wire to connect the ground rod to the solar fence charger.
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Step 9
Turn the charger on and test it with a fence tester or look to see if the "ready" light is on.
