Electric Fence Posts

How Tall Electric Fence Posts Should Be?



Depending on the animal you own, heights of the fence posts needed can vary. When installing the fencing and taking care of the height of fence posts, jumping and crawling capabilities of the animal have always to be taken into consideration. Not to mention, it is crucial to consider the conditions of your local area and what kind of externalities might occur there.




5ft (1.5 m) Posts

These posts are the most suitable for ensuring the security of horses, ponies and deer as these majestic creatures are rather large, strong and not to mention have great jumping capabilities. A post of this size will make an idea of escaping almost impossible. The 5 feet electric fence posts are usually made from wood or plastic with glass fibre. The latter material is more convenient and is more popular between horse lovers than wood, as the fencing can be easily moved around and distances of tape or rope on the post itself can be adjusted with no additional hassle. 5ft height posts, as being the tallest posts available are usually the most expensive ones compared to other heights, but for people who are keeping horses, they are essential to ensure the best security possible. Also, 150 cm posts are great not only for horses but also for other livestock such as cattle and cows, especially if they are kept in the areas where unwanted guests such as foxes might come, or in the pastures which are set up on surface full of hills.




4ft (1.20 m) Posts

Electric fencing posts of this height are mostly used for animals such as cows, cattle, goats, and sheep, these animals are not as likely to jump out as horses could and are not as tall, which naturally leads to the need of smaller electric fence posts needed. These posts are not as expensive as larger posts and are most frequently made from various materials such as PVC, plastic and plastic coated with glass fibre. Will serve great for the pastures even in the uneven terrains!

3ft (1 m) Posts

These posts are perfect for animals such as poultry, boars and dogs! Electric fence posts of this height come in a variety of materials and shapes - you can choose from metal, PVC, coated steel, plastic and plastic with fibreglass. There are a variety of shapes with different features which are very popular in this height - plain posts, zigzag posts, pigtail posts which all have the features of their own to ensure convenience and safety of your stock in one or the other way. Usually, the electric fence posts of this height are the cheapest and easiest to manage and move around, however they are suitable only for relatively small animals.

Plastic & PVC, Metal, Steel or Fibreglass?



There are various materials to choose from - Plastic, PVC, Metal, Steel or Fibreglass - you name it. Every material is good in its own way and for its own purpose. Simple plastic electric fence posts are usually the cheapest and easiest to replace. PVC is a great material for insulation of steel or metal posts. Plastic and fibreglass are more durable than the simple plastic version of the same posts. Steel and metal posts are the most durable from given materials and can even be used for corners, which is simply not possible to do with plastic posts. 

For permanent fencing, wooden posts are usually being chosen - as they look the best and are really set to withstand even the harshest conditions. However, wooden posts rarely come on their own - as they are very expensive and quite a hassle to manage when it comes to replacing them, moving them or just installing the electric fencing system itself. Wooden posts are usually accompanied additionally by either plastic, PVC or fibreglass blend posts. These are very easy to put tape, wire or electric rope through as they are already pre-made for that. For the most part plastic, fibreglass and metal posts are perfectly suitable to withstand on its own and if paddock or a pasture needs to be moved - they can easily be moved too, which is extremely convenient. Additionally, they are inexpensive and very easy to replace and take care of. However, even though they are perfect for the fence line itself, the plastic or fibreglass fence posts have to be accompanied by strong corner posts which can be made either from wood or from steel or metal.



Buying Cheap Fence Posts

Equestrian Co. has the cheapest selection of the best quality electric fence posts. Even though the price of fence poles highly depends on the material from which the posts are made, the height and the type, we have a great selection for every customer out there. High-quality electric fencing posts, when installed correctly, will withstand seasons, even though they might cost a couple extra pounds more. The great way to save the money is to buy electric fencing posts in bulk quantities.

Bulk Buy

There is no better way to save money than buy electric fence posts in bulk, as they are rarely bought in units or even in the packs of ten - buying large quantity is a really smart move to save some money! When buying really large quantities up to £800 could be saved! It is always good to keep some extra posts around, or even to make the paddock or a pasture a foot or two larger.



How to Pick The Best Electric Fence Posts?

Knowing what kind of fence post to pick sometimes can be very very hard, however with this ultimate guide, no such questions will rise again. When picking the right fence post many things have to be taken into consideration. The needs of animals which are going to be kept behind the fence, the areas outside the fence, how temporary or permanent this fencing solution has to be. Our go-to way to decide what kind of fence post should be used when for the most part depends on the animal.

Horses and Ponies

The first thing to consider when deciding on the fence posts for horses is the height of the posts needed. The most popular choices are of 5ft (150cm) or 4.6ft (140 cm) height, as the tape, rope or wire can be attached at the heights needed which ensures horse's safety. The top rope, tape or wire has to be at around 140 cm and for the maximum safety, there should be at least three lines of rope, tape or wire at 90 cm and then at 50 cm on the post. When picking the material for fence line posts, the most popular is plastic blended with fibreglass - it is durable and easy and inexpensive to replace if horse somehow manages to break the fenced paddock or pasture. The corners, on the other hand, should be made from very durable and a rather thick material. The best posts for corners are made from thick wood or insulated metal or steel. The distance between posts depends on the weight of fencing material and the posts themselves. The wider the electric tape is, the smaller the distance between posts should be. For example with 40 mm tape, the distance between posts should be around 3 metres, then for the tape of 20 mm the distance can be as large as 5 metres and with tapes of ten millimetres the distance between posts can be from 6 to 8 metres. 


Dairy Cows and Cattle

The most popular height of electric fence posts for cows and cattle is something between 3.3ft (1 m) and 4ft (1.2 m). As these animals are quite strong, metal, steel or fibreglass strengthened plastic posts are the most popular choices among the stock owners.

Deers and Muntjacs

 



As these animals are quick, flexible and jumpy, the electric fence posts have to be very high with lots of levels at which tapes, wires or electric ropes are placed, so the foxes and other unwanted wild animals cannot sneak in. The fence post has to be at the very least of 5ft (150 cm) height and has to have at least six positions through which tapes, ropes or wires go through - the highest position should be at the top - at around 5ft (150 cm) and the lowest can go as low as 10 cm from the ground. The most popular type of electric fence post is fibreglass strengthened kind. Corners are usually wooden or made out of thick steel or metal.


Poultry



To keep your chickens, turkeys, ducks or geese safe, a variety of materials for fencing posts can be used. The number one determinant is the area where your chickens are going to be situated. If the area where chickens are going to be is relatively small and close to your eye, the simple plastic gardening fence posts will do the trick. If the area is larger and more dangerous in terms of wild animals, it is a good idea to pick electric posts which would support a netting system or could support more tapes going through them. For poultry, you have to have a distance of 20 cm between every single tape. The most popular size for poultry electric fence poles is up to 100 cm. To keep foxes, dogs and cats away the top tape has to be at least at 80 cm in height, whereas the lowest can go as low as 10 cm. The corner posts have to be the strongest and are usually are made out of metal, steel or wood.

Sheep & Goats


The size and the material of the fence posts to guard your sheep and goats really depend on whether you choose to keep them together, and whether you would like to have electric netting or simply an electric fence tape as your fencing. If you decide to keep your sheep and goats separately, your electric posts have to be at least 120 cm tall (3.9ft) for goats and 90 cm (3ft) for sheep. If you decide to keep your goats and sheep together, the height of posts has to be at the very least 120 cm (3.9ft). Corner and gate posts have to be made from a durable and strong material such as wood, steel or metal.

Pigs


Sometimes, it is quite a challenge to keep a pig fenced in. Even though they don’t need exceptionally tall fence posts, these have to relatively strong and accustomed to having at the very least three lines of tape, rope or wire at 50 cm, 35 cm and 20  cm heights. Pigs are very smart animals which can rood and dig their way out of any fenced area.


Wild Boars



Whether you want to keep out the boars or keep them captive - right electric fence posts have to be chosen. Boars are very intelligent and strong and are known for breaking down fencing or digging underneath it. Right electric fencing and sustainable posts will prevent that. First off, posts have to be at least 90 cm (3ft) high, and secured with electric tape at at-least three heights - at 80 cm, at 50 cm and at 30 cm.

Foxes, Dogs and Wolves


Foxes, dogs and wolves are known to be exceptionally smart and agile. To keep them out from your livestock, fence posts have to at the very least 1 m (3.3ft) high, but it highly depends on animals you are keeping behind the fence. At least four lines of tape, wire, or rope have to be set up every 20 cm. At 20, 40, 60 and then at 80 cm. The material used for posts highly depends on livestock kept behind the fencing and their special needs - it can be either plastic, fibreglass, steel, metal or PVC.

Rabbits


To keep rabbits in, there is no need to have posts made from a very strong material such as steel or metal. If a place for rabbits is set temporarily - plastic will do. However, knowing the fact that rabbits and hares are very quick and agile - height of posts and situation of wires has to be considered. The height of electric fence post has to be at the very least 50 cm (1.6ft) high, with at-least 4 secure positions to attach the tape on it - at the top of the post, two in the middle and one at the bottom.

Badgers

To keep badgers out, the electric post of your choosing has to be accustomed to correct wiring system. If you are not keeping any livestock behind your fence, posts of 50 cm would be sufficient enough. 4 positions of tape, wire, or rope have to go through the posts at levels of 40 cm, 30 cm, 20 cm and 10 cm.



Otters

To protect your fish ponds and to keep otters away, right electric fence posts have to be chosen. These don’t need to be too high - 50 cm (1.6ft) with correct set up of wire mesh and an electric tape is usually sufficient enough. These animals can both climb and dig, so wire mesh of 25 cm height connected to earth system is crucial. To make sure they don’t have any more temptations to cross the netting are left - wires have to be set up at heights of 35 and 25 cm. 



Heron



Herons are known as professional fish stealers. To protect your pond from these uninvited guests, measures of electric fencing posts have to be considered. Angled electric fence posts are the most popular when protecting ponds from herons, as they have no ability to comfortably lean in and steal from the pond. 


Cats


Cats are great hunters by nature, so stealing a fish from the pond or hunting down a little chick or two is not a problem for them. To keep a cat out, fence post has to be at least 90 cm (3ft) high. Cats are agile and cunning - so when installing electric fencing that has to be considered, and correct measures have to be taken. On the post itself, the wiring has to be placed at every 20 cm - from top to bottom.

Types of Electric Fence Posts

There are different types of electric fence posts to meet the various needs when it comes to function and durability. When selecting the right type for your garden, horses or livestock, the first thing that has to be considered is whether you want your set up to be flexible and temporary, or whether you are more interested in permanent or semi-permanent solutions. 



Standard



The most standard posts that are available are either made from plastic, fibreglass and plastic blend or PVC. These usually have hooks for electric tape or rope to go through which makes them very convenient as no additional clips and insulators are usually needed. They are easy to install, move around and replace when needed. 



Corner Posts



It is crucial to pick the right type of the corner posts, as no matter whether your pasture or paddock is set up only temporarily, the posts which are situated in a very corner have to be very strong and set up in a way as if they were to stand there permanently. As they have to withstand enormous pressure it is recommended to dig them in at least 50 cm (1.6ft) to 120 cm (4ft) deep into the ground. The most popular material for corner posts is wood, and runner-ups to this material are steel and metal. 


Stirrup



Stirrup fence posts are usually very popular amongst horse owners and livestock keepers. Additional stirrup-shaped footplate allows better stability and easier threading into the ground. 

Recycled



Electric fencing posts made from the recycled plastic is a great and sustainable solution for durable fencing. Usually, they come with no additional loops and hooks, so insulators and clips can be drilled-in nailed-on and screwed-in to your own requirements. However, options with loops and hooks are available at our store. The recycled plastic material is very easy to manage and can be recycled over and over again. 



Curved 



Curved or in other words angled electric fence posts are usually used to protect ponds and gardens, so unwanted guests cannot lean in and steal from the protected area. 




Pigtail



With the little loop at the top of the post made for electric tape to go through easily, these posts earned themselves a name of a Pigtail. Pigtail posts are great for temporary pastures as these posts are easy to set up. They do not require any additional insulators and clips which makes them easy to manage and move around.

How to Install Electric Fence Posts?



Depending on what kind of type electric fencing you want to have - temporary or long-term, the installation process and difficulty of it may vary. In rocky and sandy areas the fence posts need to be set deeper than they would be in clay or dirt. Once you decide what kind of area, for how long the pasture or paddock will be fenced and what kind of posts will be the best fitting for your paddock or pasture, there are also other things to consider. The important thing to remember is that the larger the area, and the longer it has to be kept, the harder it is to install the electric fencing and prepare the posts in the right way.



Distance Between Posts



Depending on the size of the posts itself, the area covered, a terrain of the area, and tape wire or rope used, the distance between posts has to be carefully considered for your electric fencing to be fully functional and secure. As a rule of thumb, the lighter the material of the posts is the closest to each other posts have to be situated. Same goes for the areas which have uneven sloping.

However, it is important to note, that fence posts cannot be too close to each other. If they are, in case if an animal runs into the electric line, all insulators and posts would be knocked to the ground. However, if they are spread wide apart, the posts will just bend and then pop back, so the risks of the breakages and injuries of animals are way smaller. 

When setting up the posts make sure that tape, wire or rope is well fitted and doesn’t hang too low. 

If a wire is being used, post distances can be from 6 to 8 metres, but it does highly depend on the post material itself - the heavier material of the posts used is, the smaller distance between them is expected.

When using a tape, it depends on the diameter of the tape. The wider the tape, the shorter the distance has to be. For example, if the tape is 40 mm, the distance between posts should be approximately 4 metres (13ft), if a diameter of tape is 20 mm the distance between posts should be 5 metres (16.4ft) and if a tape is as thin as ten millimetres, distance between posts is expected to be from 6 m (19.7ft) to 8 m (26.25ft). 

When using rope, the distance between posts again depends on the diameter of it. If an electric rope is 7-8 millimetres the distance between posts should be somewhere around 4 metres (13ft). If an electric rope is thinner (5-6 mm), the distance between posts should be 6 metres (19.7ft).

Coloured Posts Explained

Electric fencing not only can protect your horses, livestock and gardens but also can elevate the look of your facade. It can be done by choosing the fence post of your desired colour! There are a variety of colours available for different purposes - as to match with the colour of the fence itself, match the electric tape used or to increase visibility.



White



Nothing screams classic more as a white fencing for a horse paddock. This colour is popular not only for that polished American dream ‘’white picket fence’’ look but also as it is highly visible both for horses and people. Even though white fence line is more popular in America than it is here in the UK, white electric fence posts are still in high demand due to their visibility. 


Black

Another very popular colour which blends perfectly with the facade and is frequently bought to discreetly match with already situated fencelines. This colour is easier to maintain in terms of cleanliness and it makes space fenced appear a little bit bigger visually.


Green



The most popular colour amongst garden and pond keepers. This colour is neutral and blends in well with the greenness of the garden. 



Pink, Orange and Blue



For those who are more daring and want their fences to look more eye-catching, or match them to the tape colours, electric fence posts of colours like blue, pink or orange might be the right solution. 




Can You Use Trees as Electric Fence Posts?


The answer is yes. However, there are measures that have to be taken into consideration before making a tree into a fence post. First of all, it has to be properly insulated - so clips and insulators should be used like on any other fence pole, as trees are not as good insulators as many might think. Also, it is not recommended to attach insulators and clips straight to the tree. A solution to this is very simple - just nail in the plank to attach the insulators and clips needed. 



Popular Electric Fencing Brands

Hotline



Hotline is the longest established manufacturer of electric fencing here in the UK. Established in Devon back in 1968 they have a great reputation among their customers by providing the best quality British-made products. 


Gallagher



Gallagher which was as established in Hamilton, New Zealand, back in 1938 is known for their great quality electric fences. Gallagher offers a first-class product and service across the world.

 Best Electric Fence Posts for Horses

When building electric fencing for horses many things have to be considered - from the area which is going to be covered to the smallest clips and insulators which would fit the fencing best. Among all of these considerations, one of the most important ones are the electric fence posts, as they will determine how well your paddock or pasture will match its function and how durable your electric fencing construction is going to be. You can have the best quality tapes and electric system in general, but if the quality of fence posts is lacking - your paddock simply won’t last.

How to Choose Best Posts for Horses?

The Optimal Height

There are many things in this electric fence post equation that depend on other variables, however, the height of the fencing is universal. The height of the electric fence post has to be no lower than 140cm (4.6 ft) - but generally the taller the better. The most popular are the 150cm (5ft) fence posts. Horses are very strong, large and agile animals - so jumping out of pasture or paddock lower than that will be a piece of cake for them - so definitely keep that in mind when choosing the height for your fencing.

Post Material

Here is where we bring other variables in this ultimate electric fencing equation. Are you planning your pasture or paddock to be temporary, or do you want it to stay there permanently? How big is your turn out? How do you want your paddock to look like? Asking yourself these questions will help you decide what kind of fence posts should be set up. If you want your paddock or pasture stay in the same place permanently - wooden posts are the most durable and secure option, not to mention they look a bit more polished that thin plastic or fibreglass posts - however, they are considerably more expensive and it is rather complicated to set them up. If your turn-out area is very large it might be smart to reconsider and choose fibreglass or plastic posts. Posts of the latter materials are great for pastures which are constantly moved around and set in the area temporarily. Not to mention they are way cheaper than wood. Fibreglass posts are known to be very durable, while plain plastic posts will be the cheapest. On the last note, no matter what kind of material you decide to choose for your fence line - corners require rock-solid posts - so make sure that you choose wood or steel for your corner posts.

Types of Posts

There are many types of posts are the most popular for an equine turnout - simple standard posts, stirrup posts and posts which are designated especially to fit the corners. Simple standard plastic, fibreglass or PVC posts often will be the cheapest and very easy to install as they often have hooks for an electric tape to go through, so no additional insulators will be needed. Stirrup posts are very similar to the standard post from the very first glance - they also have pre-welded hooks in them, so no insulators will be needed, however unlike the traditional standard post these have stirrup shape footplate at the very bottom - this ensures better stability and easier threading into the ground. As mentioned before, corner posts have to be made from very durable material and have to be rather thick to withstand the pressure of the fence-line itself.

Colours

When thinking about equine paddocks the first two colours that pop into mind are white and black. The white colour usually forms a good contrast with surroundings and horses naturally tend to dislike white colour and are more cautious of it in general. Also, white fencing can look very polished when taken care of properly. Another popular colour is black or dark brown as these colours are very easy to take care of and maintain.

Electric Fence Post Reviews

There are various types of fence posts which are quite popular among the horse owners. Despite them all having the same function, it’s the different features and materials what makes them perform better or worse depending on what needs horse owner has in mind.

Hotline 1m (3ft) Electric Fence Premium Plastic Posts

Main features:

• 1 metre high. 
• Quantity per package - 10 (can come in bulk)
• Made from premium plastic
• Available in different colours
• Works great with all kinds of electric wiring - tapes, ropes and wires.
• Steel spike for easy tread in. 

These fence posts are made from premium plastic and come in various colours such as traditional white, green and more daring colours such as orange and blue. They are very affordable and easy to manage. These heavy-weight posts are perfect to put an additional layer of electric current through your non-electrified fencing, as they already have hoops for all kinds of electric fence material such as tapes, ropes and wires. It is not recommended to use them alone, and if they are used for your horses, it is advised to always keep an eye on your horses while they are fenced in. Would work perfectly fine on shetland size ponies.

Hotline ECO2000 1m (3ft) Recycled Electric Fence Posts

Main features:

• 1 metre high.
• Quantity per package - 10 (can come in bulk)
• Made from recycled plastic
• Comes in black
• 8 Fixings work great with all kinds of electric wiring - tapes, ropes and wires.
• Steel spike for easy tread in. 

These fence posts, even not being high enough as per standard, are very popular among horse owners because of their affordability. Made from light but durable recycled plastic they are perfect for temporary fencing solutions, and would serve as a great additional layer to a traditional fencing to put an electric current through - as they have fixings for electric tape, rope and wire and no additional insulators would be needed. These are very easy to maintain as they have steel spike which allows you to put the post into the ground very easily.

Hotline 1.4m (4.6ft) Electric Fence Posts for Horses

Main features:

• 1.4 metre high
• Quantity in 1 package: 20 (also available in bulk).
• Extra strong
• Fixings work great with all kinds of electric wiring - tapes, ropes and wires.
• Available in white or dark green colours.

These fence posts are a safe, affordable and very convenient solution for horse owners. They are made from exceptionally durable plastic and have pre-made hoops for your electric tape and rope. They are high enough to meet the recommendations of equine fencing and are very easy to manage. These posts are one of the most affordable solutions available in the market when choosing between posts of this height.

Hotline HP5 1.5m (5ft) Electric Fence Stirrup Horse Posts

Main features:

• 150cm high
• Quantity in 1 package: 10 (also available in bulk).
• Extra strong glass fibre material
• Fixings work great with all kinds of electric wiring - tapes, ropes and wires.
• Stirrup style tread in.

These fibreglass electric fence posts, due to their height, durability and stability are in very high demand among the horse owners. Stirrup style tread-in differently than traditional spike offers an additional layer of stability and security. Because of the increased stability, these posts are great to use in windy locations and in poor weather conditions without any concerns even with the thickest tape. Having that in mind, they are also more expensive than the posts which were mentioned above.

Summary

To sum up, it really all depends when deciding on what kind of fence posts should be used for your equine turn-out. Do you just need an additional layer of electric current to the fence which is already standing, or do you need a durable solution for your fencing? All of the fence posts mentioned above are great for their own purpose, but if we are looking into affordability, height and quality combo Hotline 1.4m (4.6ft) Electric Fence Posts for horses would be a clear winner, as it ticks all the boxes required when it comes to electric fencing for horses.

All in all, you have to have a very clear vision of how you want your paddock or pasture look like and that will help you decide on the kind of fence posts that should be used. Do you want your paddock to be permanent or flexible and temporary? What is your budget and how much of your time you can invest in installing your electric fencing? Once you answer those questions, you will have a very clear image of what kind of electric posts you should use for your paddock.