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  Discussion on Horseguard still recommended?
Author Message
Member:
heidim

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 10, 2010 - 4:27 pm:

Hi. We're looking at redoing our fencing. We currently have older, heavier t-posts that caps do not fit, not to mention we have our doubts that a little piece of plastic will keep a half-ton animal from being impaled on a metal lance. Currently, we use twisted wire on top and bottom and an electric wire in the middle. We've tried tying short lengths of flagging tape onto the electric wire for better visibility, but the wind just stacks them up against the poles. We will likely replace the t-posts with wood ones. Horse Guard sounds like a good match for us. However, the last member posts on the subject took place in 2007. Those of you who use it--do you still like it? Any problems? Tips? Other recommendations?
Member:
leslie1

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 10, 2010 - 4:37 pm:

I still use it...and LOVE it. I use the Bi Polar tape and it works great.
Seriously, I wouldnt use anything else. ever.
Leslie
Member:
dres

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 10, 2010 - 5:03 pm:

same here.. love it.. 10 years strong.. yes the T post sleeves get weathered and do crack.. oh well .. yes , i have to tighten the tape now and again.. oh well .. great stuff..

On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots.
Member:
stek

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 10, 2010 - 5:47 pm:

Is this different than any other type of electric tape fence? We have been using various brands of electric tape for years and I love it for cross fencing. You can get a 660 foot roll from country supply for less than the cost of the 330 foot roll of horse guard.

I still prefer something solid (2x4 no-climb woven wire) for perimeter fencing.
Member:
leslie1

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 10, 2010 - 7:19 pm:

Shannon
RE- HorseGuard...my Bi-polar has the ground wire threaded in it. It doesnt need a ground rod and still packs a WHALLOP!!! mwhahahaahahahah
it is soooo easy to move without having to pound a dadgum copper ground rod....especially useful for dry ground too.
I have plank board perimeter cuz this is kentucky;) . But would feel perfectly ok with 4 strand horseguard and a constant zapping charger.
Member:
pschwab

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 10, 2010 - 9:11 pm:

Have had HorseGuard for about 10 years now and still love it. A couple times a young horse slid into it--the tape stretched, did not break, and the horse had nary a scratch. All I had to do was tighten the strands. Last year a huge branch came down and took out about 10 feet--again, didn't break--just stretched and I tightened it. Only thing that has ever broken were the fasteners to the posts. I use both wooden posts and t-posts with either sleeves or caps on top. Some workmen didn't respect this electric tape and let their metal ladder slide against the fence when they were putting on my roof--they respect the electric now!
Member:
paul303

Posted on Thursday, Mar 11, 2010 - 1:39 am:

Have had it for 6 years. We're situated in a pine forest. Lots of pine boughs and snow drifts this winter - trying to bring our fence down. As others say.....we just clear the obstruction, and tighten the fence. Have never had a problem.
Member:
ajudson1

Posted on Thursday, Mar 11, 2010 - 8:08 am:

Don't remember how long we've had it, (8 years I think) but I love it. 3 strands around our main pastures. 2 around 2 smaller pastures; just never get around to finishing them. I have a round pen right off the north side of our barn, 2 strands. An arena, 2 strands. Those are not electric (the round pen can be if I need it for a "sick bay") but work great.

I've had deer, horses, and tree branches crash into it and as others said, it stretches, and the plastic insulators or covers break.

We have to redo our west pasture this year as we made a new drive way. I think we will go with treated wood fence posts. For the $$$$, I am not crazy about the plastic covers on t-posts. Plus the t-posts "move" more when the ground is soft. One of our projects is to make all the corner posts out of RR ties. Over time they all pulled in.

I have had a few corner tensioners break and that did not impress me. They are pretty costly IMO. But nothing is perfect in fencing, and over all, I think it's a very worth while investment. You can see it, it looks nice, holds up decent, easy to work with really.

We have the brown.

If you search "Making tracks, my paddock paradise" you will see my fencing set up if you need a visual.
Member:
trouble

Posted on Friday, Mar 12, 2010 - 3:45 pm:

have had my Horseguard for 10 years and still love it. Ditto all the above. I don't have it as perimeter fencing, but I use it within my pasture to separate a dry lot for my pony. I used to use one strand on 4 foot fiberglass posts until the pony recently got brave enough to "duck and dash" under the top strand to greener pastures and his buddy......now I use 2 strands.
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