teaching a yearling to stay in a electric fence when all she knows is panels

SaraLee · 11-06-2007, 06:52 PM

I just recently was offered a yearling mare for free from my mother in law. She is georgeous and super sweet. Worth alot, but my MIL feels sorry for me because I just lost my mare to colic. Anyway we brought her over, (we live next door to each other), she took down our whole fence, AND a lot of my MIL's fence. Is there anyway to teach her to respect out fence line. Stall is not an option, we have 24 hr. turnout with run in shelters. And there are other horses here to keep her company. Please help I would love to keep this mare, but not if I have to put up our fence every day.

Carri · 11-06-2007, 06:56 PM

Have you put flags on the fence? And walked the fenceline with her? Could you borrow a good buddy of hers from MIL to help her settle in a little and make friends?

divinemisselle · 11-06-2007, 06:56 PM

In addition to walking the fenceline with her, in some unassuming places along the way go ahead and play my favorite game...zap the pony!

Doesn't take too long to figure out that the strung out snake running between the posts has quite a bite.

annag307 · 11-06-2007, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by divinemisselle

play my favorite game...zap the pony!

Doesn't take too long to figure out that the strung out snake running between the posts has quite a bite.

Thats funny. That is exactly what I was gonna say to do.

What I have found quite effective is to have someone, besides you hold there hand over the fence like they are handing her a treat. Make sure she accidently touches her nose on the wire.

Whallllllllllllllllllla, instant zap. Be prepared to jump out of the way.

SaraLee · 11-06-2007, 07:03 PM

We walked her by the fence on all sides, and around and around....The fence would have gotten her good, ours, or MIL if she didn't have her turnout on. She has only ever been in with another yearling gelding, always in panels, I think he would just go with her or go through first.

SaraLee · 11-06-2007, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by annag307

Thats funny. That is exactly what I was gonna say to do.

What I have found quite effective is to have someone, besides you hold there hand over the fence like they are handing her a treat. Make sure she accidently touches her nose on the wire.

Whallllllllllllllllllla, instant zap. Be prepared to jump out of the way.

that is a good idea have you tried that? I wonder though if it would make her leary of me

mlh619 · 11-06-2007, 07:24 PM

We always stand on the other side with something real tempting like grain and they zap themselves usually once is all it takes and then we put the grain in and stand on the same side and pet them while they eat, as long as you aren't forcing them to touch the fence, they will see it as thier mistake because they made the choice to touch it while reaching for the grain. this has worked for me and I have only had one touch the fence more than once with the grain trick! Once they zap themselves I always go in and fed them the grain and pet them and they know it wasn't me! Or at least I hope they do LOL!

Orchid · 11-06-2007, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlh619

We always stand on the other side with something real tempting like grain and they zap themselves usually once is all it takes and then we put the grain in and stand on the same side and pet them while they eat, as long as you aren't forcing them to touch the fence, they will see it as thier mistake because they made the choice to touch it while reaching for the grain. this has worked for me and I have only had one touch the fence more than once with the grain trick! Once they zap themselves I always go in and fed them the grain and pet them and they know it wasn't me! Or at least I hope they do LOL!

Yep, this works. Just having them on a lead in hand and having them touch it works too, but be ready for them if they decide to run 50 feet backwards in .5 seconds.

I love electric fence, personally. My horses - not so much!

AlbertaGirl · 11-06-2007, 09:10 PM

My mare took down some electric fence and disappeared down the driveway, and out of sight down the road. I was so scared, and finally found her at the back of someone's property (WAYYYYY back) and had to ride her back out bareback with a halter, trying to find a way through (climbed game fence to originally get to her, and had to go back out a different way). So, when I finally got back, I definetly let her have it! By that, I mean I encouraged her to touch the electric fence and she got one heck of a zap, right in the nose - and now has a world of respect for it, and will stay in a temporary one strand pen

SaraLee · 11-07-2007, 06:18 PM

Thanks everyone, I will have to talk my hubby in to brining her back for round 2, (he put the fence back up from round 1. Hopefully my next post will be about adding to the herd! Wish me luck

Range · 11-07-2007, 06:34 PM

I had a mare that constantly went through panels. We added electric. One strand. Best money I've ever spent! I love the zapping!!

That does sound twisted, but after fixing fences at 5am several days running...the relief of not having to fix the fence was very great.

lopintoo · 11-11-2007, 10:58 PM

I would turn her out without her blanket on. If she touches the fence with her chest and blanket you'll just have more broken fence and she won't get the point (or zapped should I say).

audrey-mae · 11-12-2007, 12:53 AM

One of the boarder horses I have now was a notorious fence ruiner at her previous barn. They had wire fencing with flags. I use the white, 1/2" polytape fencing, she has not gone though it once.

gbarmranch · 11-12-2007, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by divinemisselle

In addition to walking the fenceline with her, in some unassuming places along the way go ahead and play my favorite game...zap the pony!

Doesn't take too long to figure out that the strung out snake running between the posts has quite a bite.

We do the same thing - once is usually all it takes...

ilovepaints1 · 11-12-2007, 06:39 AM

Mine always figure it out after the first few times of going through. I usually do what everyone else says too and try to get them to touch it.

SaraLee · 11-12-2007, 07:03 AM

I had wondered if the tape fence would be strudier. But don't you need a different fencer to make those electric. We didn't get a chance to "test" her this weekend. I don't know, I would love to get her but I don't know how many time I can put the fence back up. Luckily she went from a pasture to a pasture to a pasture the first time she broke out, otherwise she would been on a main road. i don't know if I want to chance her getting out on the road (on my time). I can not imagine having to tell my MIL sorry but she went throught 3 fences ( 2 with a string of barbed wire and an electric string) and onto the road.

audrey-mae · 11-13-2007, 01:05 AM

No you do not need a special type of electric box for the poly tape, all you need is this connector that is two flat metal pieces and a butt conector thing.

Slim Pikkens · 11-13-2007, 07:02 AM

From trials and tribulations my preference is for wire, the stiff wire that comes on a big roll. It takes more voltage than the thin, easy to handle wire. I found the ribbon was suseptible to drag from the wind and after a few years would fray from rubbing the insulators. The nice thing about the ribbon if it breaks is just tie a knot and it will continue to work.
The string or cord type deterrent is only for dividing pastures or conditions where escape is not an issue, eg.: when I allow a horse on the lawn I use this for the septic field area.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
low impendence electric fence chargers	greygirls	Boarding / Farm Upkeep & Real Estate	4	11-13-2007 07:20 AM
You have to see this//Electric Fence	snickers	Boarding / Farm Upkeep & Real Estate	22	10-09-2007 02:47 PM
Any experience with minnis and electric fence?	rriffel	General Horse Advice	9	03-31-2007 01:07 PM
Teaching yearling Filly to back...	PaintedWonders	Training	6	12-09-2005 11:08 AM

11-06-2007, 06:52 PM
SaraLee Halter broke Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 94	teaching a yearling to stay in a electric fence when all she knows is panels I just recently was offered a yearling mare for free from my mother in law. She is georgeous and super sweet. Worth alot, but my MIL feels sorry for me because I just lost my mare to colic. Anyway we brought her over, (we live next door to each other), she took down our whole fence, AND a lot of my MIL's fence. Is there anyway to teach her to respect out fence line. Stall is not an option, we have 24 hr. turnout with run in shelters. And there are other horses here to keep her company. Please help I would love to keep this mare, but not if I have to put up our fence every day.

11-06-2007, 06:56 PM
Carri Pasture Pet Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Alpharetta, Georgia Posts: 13,847	Have you put flags on the fence? And walked the fenceline with her? Could you borrow a good buddy of hers from MIL to help her settle in a little and make friends?

11-06-2007, 06:56 PM
divinemisselle Bombproof Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: At the bar... Posts: 8,359	In addition to walking the fenceline with her, in some unassuming places along the way go ahead and play my favorite game...zap the pony! Doesn't take too long to figure out that the strung out snake running between the posts has quite a bite. __________________ . Lead me not into temptation..... I can find it just fine on my own.....

11-06-2007, 07:03 PM
SaraLee Halter broke Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 94	We walked her by the fence on all sides, and around and around....The fence would have gotten her good, ours, or MIL if she didn't have her turnout on. She has only ever been in with another yearling gelding, always in panels, I think he would just go with her or go through first.

11-06-2007, 07:24 PM
mlh619 Yearling Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sask, Canada Posts: 930	We always stand on the other side with something real tempting like grain and they zap themselves usually once is all it takes and then we put the grain in and stand on the same side and pet them while they eat, as long as you aren't forcing them to touch the fence, they will see it as thier mistake because they made the choice to touch it while reaching for the grain. this has worked for me and I have only had one touch the fence more than once with the grain trick! Once they zap themselves I always go in and fed them the grain and pet them and they know it wasn't me! Or at least I hope they do LOL!

11-06-2007, 09:10 PM
AlbertaGirl Seasoned Join Date: May 2007 Location: Alberta Posts: 4,053	My mare took down some electric fence and disappeared down the driveway, and out of sight down the road. I was so scared, and finally found her at the back of someone's property (WAYYYYY back) and had to ride her back out bareback with a halter, trying to find a way through (climbed game fence to originally get to her, and had to go back out a different way). So, when I finally got back, I definetly let her have it! By that, I mean I encouraged her to touch the electric fence and she got one heck of a zap, right in the nose - and now has a world of respect for it, and will stay in a temporary one strand pen __________________ Some people say horses don't have a sense of humor... they obviously haven't met mine yet ;o)

11-07-2007, 06:18 PM
SaraLee Halter broke Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 94	I hope it works Thanks everyone, I will have to talk my hubby in to brining her back for round 2, (he put the fence back up from round 1. Hopefully my next post will be about adding to the herd! Wish me luck

11-07-2007, 06:34 PM
Range Kid Safe Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Back of Beyond Posts: 6,937	I had a mare that constantly went through panels. We added electric. One strand. Best money I've ever spent! I love the zapping!! That does sound twisted, but after fixing fences at 5am several days running...the relief of not having to fix the fence was very great. __________________ "Be careful what you wish for, because you just might get it all... you just might get it all, and then some you don't want." Chris Daughtery www.goatsandsoaps.com for all your Boer goat and bath soap needs.

11-11-2007, 10:58 PM
lopintoo Coming two Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,983	I would turn her out without her blanket on. If she touches the fence with her chest and blanket you'll just have more broken fence and she won't get the point (or zapped should I say).

11-12-2007, 12:53 AM
audrey-mae Newborn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: oregon Posts: 23	One of the boarder horses I have now was a notorious fence ruiner at her previous barn. They had wire fencing with flags. I use the white, 1/2" polytape fencing, she has not gone though it once.

11-12-2007, 06:39 AM
ilovepaints1 Long Yearling Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,070	Mine always figure it out after the first few times of going through. I usually do what everyone else says too and try to get them to touch it. __________________ "To many, the words love, hope, and dreams are synonymous with horses" - Anonymous

11-12-2007, 07:03 AM
SaraLee Halter broke Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 94	ZAP it is.... I had wondered if the tape fence would be strudier. But don't you need a different fencer to make those electric. We didn't get a chance to "test" her this weekend. I don't know, I would love to get her but I don't know how many time I can put the fence back up. Luckily she went from a pasture to a pasture to a pasture the first time she broke out, otherwise she would been on a main road. i don't know if I want to chance her getting out on the road (on my time). I can not imagine having to tell my MIL sorry but she went throught 3 fences ( 2 with a string of barbed wire and an electric string) and onto the road.

11-13-2007, 01:05 AM
audrey-mae Newborn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: oregon Posts: 23	No you do not need a special type of electric box for the poly tape, all you need is this connector that is two flat metal pieces and a butt conector thing.

11-13-2007, 07:02 AM
Slim Pikkens Seasoned Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 4,392	From trials and tribulations my preference is for wire, the stiff wire that comes on a big roll. It takes more voltage than the thin, easy to handle wire. I found the ribbon was suseptible to drag from the wind and after a few years would fray from rubbing the insulators. The nice thing about the ribbon if it breaks is just tie a knot and it will continue to work. The string or cord type deterrent is only for dividing pastures or conditions where escape is not an issue, eg.: when I allow a horse on the lawn I use this for the septic field area. Last edited by Slim Pikkens : 11-13-2007 at 07:07 AM.