Fencing Question

Hi everyone. I wasn't sure quite where to put this, so I hope this is ok...

I am putting up a semi-permanent electric fence at my dad's property for my horse.

To get right to the point, WHY can't I find appropriately tall posts for an electric equine fence? I live in the Louisville area, lots of horses around...and the tallest posts are 48", but once they're in the ground they're only about 39".

Do horses just respect electric fence in general, and they won't attempt to jump it? I know it's a psychological barrier rather than physical, but...I just want to make sure it will work before I buy the supplies.

Where I have Annie now, we have had problems with her jumping the fence at the spot where there is no electric (just wood). We keep raising the fence, but she has jumped almost 5 feet. However, where the electric barrier is on the other side of the pasture, there are just 48" step in posts (probably about 3 1/2 feet above ground), and she has never even tried to jump it since she found out it was charged the first day she was there. This sort of indicates to me that the 48" posts would work, but I would hate to buy all those posts and not be able to return them if they don't work.

Online, I found some affordable fiberglass posts; anybody try these? I did also find some 64" step in posts online, but they seem so expensive compared to the 48" ones I found in stores, even with the difference in height taken into account.

From electric fence users' experience, what works better, the fiberglass posts, or plastic step-ins? And where on earth can I get them taller than 48"? Thanks!

Get t-posts. They come in all sizes well up to 10' I believe. Of course its more expensive and more labor...you'll have to have a t-post setter and strong shoulders. IMO those step in plastic ones and fiberglass ones are not appropriate for horse fencing...except for maybe an overnight camp trip, etc.

T-posts with 3 - 4 strand properly strung high tensil wire are pretty sturdy fencing.

As stated - those step in posts are for temporary fencing.

Hmm...thanks guys, will consider. My issue is that it's going to be potentially very temporary, or it could be there for a couple of years...I have already had some experience with the plastic step-ins and don't like how they lean and easily break...so those would be too temporary, I agree. I don't know that they would last the summer, honestly. I just need something that's quick and easy to move right now, because:
a.) I am going to have to do rotational grazing, and
b.) this may only be for a month or two; if it ends up being longer, of course
I would go in and put the metal T-posts

With that in mind, would 1/2" fiberglass posts really not do the job for the time being? Why or why not? What's your experience with their flaws?

I just know T-posts can be a pain to pull up, which I may have to do at the end of the summer.

I dunno, still contemplating...please feel free to add input. :)

There is a t-post puller available - about $30. I use mine all the time, it's worth it, and works very easy.
I think the Tposts are a better bet, personally. If it does end up being a longer term set up, the fiberglass will not work well within a few months. I would only use those step in numbers for VERY temporary use.
Besides, you CAN sell the metal posts later.

T-posts are definitely great, but if you want something easy to pull out and tall enough, your answer is to go to the local steel supplier and buy 1/2" tubing. Round would work, but the tubing is easier and stronger though more expensive. It usually comes in 24' lengths so they can cut it into 3 pieces for you if you ask.

I have never seen anything other than t-posts that are tall enough either. How frustrating. The manufacturers think we all own shetland ponies.

Ha! As soon as I posted this I saw one on tractor supply, for almost exactly that price. Makes me feel a lot better about using T-posts. They have a 6-foot post for $4.39, which is in my proce range. Plus, like you said, I can re-sell on craigslist or something like that, so it doesn't make me feel like I'm being wasteful. Thanks!

I'll look into that; that could be a good compromise.


I'm still thinking about doing fiberglass every other post for now, just to get the fence up...would that just be pointless?

LoL, I know you guys are going to talk me into all t-posts, but I'm desperately trying to be cheap here!

I wouldn't say its pointless, but what are you going to do with those silly little sticks later? And walking the fence line twice is never fun. Though I suppose it depends how long your fence line is.

We have electric fencing. We cut trees, measured them to 10 feet, and drilled a hole about 3 feet down, and packed it in with dirt, concrete and rocks.

i hope this somewhat helps =]