The energiser is the heart of the electric fencing system and the best electric fence energisers for horses depend on your available power supply, the output required and the length of your fence. If you’ve got a permanent fence and mains power nearby, a mains-powered energiser is the best option. A cable takes the power from the energiser to the fence – all you need to do is plug it in and switch it on. If your field is more remote and you don’t have access to mains, then a battery or solar energiser is your best option.
When selecting the best electric fence energisers for horses to meet your needs, it’s recommended that you buy the most powerful energiser (highest Joules) you can afford as this will give you more consistent power. If in doubt, buy bigger than you think you need. It’s important to remember that when products list the distance they can power, this is usually calculated in an ideal lab condition and doesn’t take into account tall grass, weeds or branches touching the fence, which will reduce the output. You should also consider how many lines of tape your fence requires – one 100m fence with four lines of tape is 400m of fencing.
Battery vs solar energisers
If you don’t have access to mains power, you’ll be choosing between a battery or solar-powered electric fence energisers for horses. Solar-powered energisers do have battery but this is charged by the sun rather than requiring you to replace the batteries.
Battery-powered electric fence energisers are a popular choice for strip grazing and temporary fencing as they are very portable. Some are powered by dry-cell 9v disposable batteries, so you will need to consider the cost of replacing them as they run out. Others are powered by rechargeable 12v batteries, which can power longer fences at a higher voltage. You could use a car battery, but a purpose-designed leisure battery is designed to give a steady output over time, while a car battery will dwindle quite quickly. The higher the Ah of the battery, the longer you can leave it between recharges.
Solar-powered energisers use energy from the sun to power your fencing setup. They tend to have a higher initial cost but are cheaper in the long run and assuming they’re in a good position to receive enough light, you don’t have to worry about making sure they’re charged.
Best electric fence energisers for horses: mains, battery and solar
XStop BA100 12v Battery Powered Energiser
Distance powered: Up to 20km
This kit has everything you need to get started if you’re looking to power a medium-sized fence (up to 20km) from a battery. It’s easy to move around (weighing just 0.6kg) so is a great option for strip grazing, but it only delivers 1J so might not be strong enough to deter the most determined horses in all scenarios.
It has a multifunction LED that flashes green to indicate that the unit is operating correctly and flashes red when your battery is running low.
Fenceman Energiser B420 9V
Distance powered: 3km
T-Mech Electric Fence Energiser
Distance powered: 10km
Fenceman DP350B Energiser
Distance powered: Up to 3.5km
This energisers can be powered by either 4 D-cell batteries or an external 12v rechargeable battery. It will power up to 3.5km on 12v (1km on 6v) and the pulse rate can be adjusted between 20–60 pulses/min. There is an LED indication light that blinks on every pulse and flashes rapidly when the battery is running low so you’ll never run out of power. It’s ideal for smaller paddocks and strip grazing.
Gallagher M120 Mains Fence Energiser
Distance powered: 8km
This easy-to-install, entry-level, mains-powered energiser comes with a kit to attach it to a wall and has a pulse energy of o.47J. It’s easy to use, has built-in lightning protection to prevent short circuits and can have a 12v battery attached to it as a back up – which is useful for yards with unsecured power supply.
ShockRite SB120 Battery Powered Energiser
Distance powered: 6km
This 1.5kg 1.2J energiser can power up to 6km of fencing tape. It has a low battery indicator and is made for permanent outdoor use with a special weatherproof membrane that protects the on/off switch. It has a three-year warranty.
XStop Solar 0040 Solar & Battery Powered Energiser
Distance powered: 2km
This weatherproof solar-powered energiser kit can power up to 2km of fencing with 0.4J. It’s also rechargeable via USB if a manual charge is required in times of very dark weather.
XStop EL90 230v Mains Powered Energiser
Distance powered: 10km
Fenceman Horse Starter Kit | Viovet
This kit includes a DP350B battery energiser, four D cell back-up batteries, 10 90cm poly posts, one 200m roll of tape, two end strainers, one gate handle and one warning sign.
Rutland Voltage Tester | Amazon
Consider this an essential – it’s the easiest way to work out how well your fence is working and where you might have a problem.
How many joules should an electric fence have for horses?
Electric fence energisers for horses work by delivering an electric shock to any horse that touches the fence the energiser is attached to. Joules represent the energy output of the energiser and put simply the higher the joules the stronger the shock will be.
It’s essential to strike a balance between effectiveness and safety, ensuring that the fence provides enough deterrent for the horses without causing harm.
The ideal number of joules for an electric fence for horses can also vary depending on factors such as the size of the pasture, the behaviour of the horses, and the level or type of vegetation growth in the paddock.
However, generally, electric fences for horses typically have an output of around 0.5 to 1.5 joules.
How many volts should a horse fence be?
Voltage is a measure of the electric potential energy per unit charge between two points in an electric circuit. A higher voltage will provide a stronger shock, but it also relates to the distance over which the electric shock can effectively deter horses Higher voltage levels typically allow the pulse energy to travel greater distances along the fence line.
The voltage of electric fencing used for horses should typically be between 2,000 to 10,000 volts to effectively deter horses.
The exact voltage required can vary based on factors such as the length of the fence, the type of insulators and conductors used, and the energy output of the electric fence energiser.
It’s also important that regular maintenance and testing of the fence system are carried out to ensure consistent voltage levels and proper functionality.
You might also like:
Electric fencing for horses – everything you need for a temporary setup or strip-grazing
Strip grazing – all you need to know to get started
Here’s everything you need to know if you’re thinking about strip grazing your paddocks this year
Grazing muzzles – what are your options?
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