*updated, re: Horseguard tape? (OP: Tape or braid fencing options,....)

[mountainhorse]

Wow! Thank you all for the great first-hand experiences and info on your fencing. Much appreciated.

Yes, I have been scouring the Electrobraid site and Horseguard.
Apparently you can only order Horseguard from them, correct?

I have done lots of searching on Google Images for both fencing, and I have to say, the electrobraid is hard to see. I imagine in the dark or not ideal conditions, if horses were running around, they might miss it too. It does look very ‘clean’ though, very tidy-probably why I was attracted to it initially. I am reading on reports of horses running into it, cars running into it, tractors, etc. and I have not found something discussing the same with a more visible tape fencing…so, those with tape experiences,…what’s your experience with something (alive) running into it, not to discuss strength (i.e.: a tree fell on it, all I found), but visibility?
(not to mention break points of electrobraid).

I’ve linked a few articles I have come across during my hunting for information, to share, below.

After about 20-30 sites talking about Horseguard and Electrobraid, I am going to have to nix the Electrobraid or braided ‘rope’ fencing. I couldn’t forgive myself if one of my guys got caught and it didn’t break,…just for cost, my ‘aesthetics’, and ‘convenience’.
Of course, those of you that use it/love it, I am happy it works for you, (and I will be the first to say it looks very clean and tidy on your farms!) and all the information you have given me. I appreciate your input. Thanks.

So, now, I am looking at tape options, Horseguard being the top contender…and something I can use for my top perimeter line, where I have insulators already up. The 5" version of these: http://www.zarebasystems.com/store/electric-fence-insulators/biwny-z

Doing it again, I would use the tape and black insulators as a top perimeter electrified option (in front of my existing wood rail), instead of yellow and hot wire.

We’ll see,…I may just replace those (all $40 of it), with the tape ones and just use tape everywhere. That would simplify things, right??

http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?467172-Electrobraid-fencing-warning

http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?250646-Please-educate-me-on-inexpensive-safe-fencing/page2

http://www.horseadvice.com/horse/messages/3/66785.html

with a poster’s link to photos for Horseguard fencing (hope it’s OK for me to share a link from another post. If not, I can remove it! Great shots of the fencing-and cute horse to boot!-!) http://s144.photobucket.com/user/krazytbmare1/media/May%209th%2009%20Layla/MVI_8036_0023.jpg.html
http://s144.photobucket.com/user/krazytbmare1/media/IMG_0060.jpg.html

with different insulators (cheaper) for tape: https://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?pgguid=30e0735d-7b6a-11d5-a192-00b0d0204ae5

Horseguard review from weownblackacre: http://weownblackacre.blogspot.com/2014/08/horseguard-bipolar-review-or-post-i.html

Thoughts anyone has is great. I am looking at this as an open fencing post (recent one!) to discuss differences in rope braid fencing, tape, various types of tape, so thoughts, photos, etc. are great!

[mountainhorse]

[QUOTE=King’s Ransom;8620852]
I am in Kansas – I mention this because the wind here can be brutal and non-stop.

I have Horseguard tape on t-posts with covers for the line posts and braced wooden posts for the corners on my cross-fencing (interior fencing). We have Centaur flexible rail on wood posts for perimeter.

I use a Gallagher solar charger with a kick. It’s flawless. I’ve only had it up for a year, but so far it has held tension and charge. It looks great and we cross-fenced 5 acres in an afternoon.

I highly recommend it. I’ve also had electro-braid. I didn’t like the looks, I thought it was hard to see, hard to keep tensioned and when it broke I couldn’t easily tell from a quick glance. Now, in defense of the electro-braid, I had this as a newbie farmer so some of the problems could have been user-error. :)[/QUOTE]

Very helpful. Thank you. Can you send me photos? Which Gallagher charger do you use?

[King_s_Ransom]

Okay, I’m at work but I just posted this photo this morning on Facebook. Not a great one, but you can see the Centaur flexible rail in the foreground and the roundpen to the right behind it. Now, going perpendicular (cross-fencing), you can see the HorseGuard on t-posts.

I have better photos, but I posted this today (because of the fog, which was awesome) so I could link to it quick. Will post the charger tonight, I bought it off Amazon so I will have the link in my Orders and can easily share it.

https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/13001143_10208231562900113_732171024587511947_n.jpg?oh=0f562fed7c3201d65d3782b8a7b10000&oe=577A8A59

Real quick, here is a much better view of the HorseGuard tape: https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtp1/v/t1.0-9/11222133_10206570071123857_7209813053659701423_n.jpg?oh=b0ed810d42d55caaa6cc63847a0bf766&oe=57B4E193

[btswass]

When we moved to our farm there was centaur fencing installed very poorly. We’ve done our best to tighten and fix it but the posts are rotting and its been very hard to work with. After lots of research we are going to be switching it to the horseguard bipolar fencing. Even though it will add a lot to the cost we’re going to use the t posts with t post guards. It just looks so clean and professional. We just ordered the horseguard round pen and I can’t wait to put it up! We’re in upstate NY so the braid wouldn’t work as well as the bipolar horseguard fence. Plus I don’t like the idea of my horse running into it…horseguard is both a mental and visible barrier.

[moving_to_dc]

[QUOTE=Sweetums Mom;8620861]
Forgot to mention that I put up a two inch electric tape (not actually called Horseguard) in several sections and my neighbor has their two very small pastures in the tape as well. I’ve noticed that the tape really flaps in the wind if not totally tightened and even then, some movement. The braid hardly moves. Aesthetically, the braid looks much better.[/QUOTE]

That is the NON HORSEGAURD tape! I have had the same experience - non horsegaurd flaps, while horsegaurd literally let a tornado blow through!

[Sweetums_Mom]

[QUOTE=moving to dc;8621123]
That is the NON HORSEGAURD tape! I have had the same experience - non horsegaurd flaps, while horsegaurd literally let a tornado blow through![/QUOTE]

That’s what I thought! After seeing pictures of horseguard, it definitely wasn’t it!

[mountainhorse]

Holy s*t- that is an awesome fog photo. Just dreamy. :yes:

[QUOTE=King’s Ransom;8621050]
Okay, I’m at work but I just posted this photo this morning on Facebook. Not a great one, but you can see the Centaur flexible rail in the foreground and the roundpen to the right behind it. Now, going perpendicular (cross-fencing), you can see the HorseGuard on t-posts.

I have better photos, but I posted this today (because of the fog, which was awesome) so I could link to it quick. Will post the charger tonight, I bought it off Amazon so I will have the link in my Orders and can easily share it.

https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/13001143_10208231562900113_732171024587511947_n.jpg?oh=0f562fed7c3201d65d3782b8a7b10000&oe=577A8A59

Real quick, here is a much better view of the HorseGuard tape: https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtp1/v/t1.0-9/11222133_10206570071123857_7209813053659701423_n.jpg?oh=b0ed810d42d55caaa6cc63847a0bf766&oe=57B4E193[/QUOTE]

[Jarpur]

We’ve had Horseguard as our cross-fencing for many years, while a neighbor put up farm store tape about the same time. No comparison with how ours took the wind (it can be very windy here) and weather, while their fence sagged and aged prematurely.

Eventually (about year 12), we had to begin replacing the insulators as needed, but haven’t had to replace them all even now (several more years on).

It’s easy to tighten the fence when it needs it, without taking it down. We have the green on green t-posts (with toppers) and it is visible without being obtrusive (doesn’t show flaws or dirt as white would, either).

[King_s_Ransom]

Thanks Mountainhorse. I took several this morning, the fog was awesome!

I mis-spoke on the charger, glad I looked it up. It’s a Parmak: http://www.amazon.com/Parmak-DF-SP-LI-Impedance-Battery-Operated-25-Mile-Range/dp/B000BWZB74?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

If you like the fog photo, here are a couple more:

https://scontent-yyz1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xlp1/v/t1.0-9/12985445_10208232457762484_8434568530642639375_n.jpg?oh=b7318151733fe5afe51620574eb947fa&oe=57840F8D

https://scontent-yyz1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/13010826_10208231565140169_3735931248589204992_n.jpg?oh=ec76d33ee059e91b89cb236c419d286c&oe=57828823

This is my favorite: https://scontent-yyz1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/13006699_10208231560380050_8711942538847106725_n.jpg?oh=108e78926ab9ffb8b225668218c3d851&oe=577E3E03

[moving_to_dc]

@King's Ransom;8621327

I mis-spoke on the charger, glad I looked it up. It’s a Parmark: http://www.amazon.com/Parmak-DF-SP-LI-Impedance-Battery-Operated-25-Mile-Range/dp/B000BWZB74?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

I have that same charger, and it has been in use 24-7-365 for over 6 years now. The last 2 years it has been hooked to 400 ft+ of electric goat mesh fencing which can be hard on chargers due to the # of strands and proximity to weeds… Hasn’t slowed the Parmak down!

[CopperFoxFarm]

OP - The Black Acre Blogger is a CoTHer, I can’t remember who off the top of my head though.

I looked, it’s TrotTrotPumpkin

[MysticOakRanch]

I’ve used HorseGuard for years - the insulators need to be replaced fairly regularly, but that is easy and inexpensive to do. The ONLY horse that was ever injured on HorseGuard here (and I’ve had a lot of horses and foals), was a fence destroyer. She kicked fencing, ran into it, and was just awful. She hit a line of fence so hard one of the metal gate connectors snapped and slapped her leg pretty good. I finally had to kick her out (she was a boarder), and she has continued to destroy property at her new home.

I’ve had horses run into it, slide into it (in mud season), and it just stretches. As long as it is hot, it is totally effective.

Now ElectroBraid - I wouldn’t use it. Sold a lovely young horse a few years ago, and she got run into the Electrobraid fence by some aggressive broodmares - totally severed tendons - destroyed her leg. It is too strong and too thin - if something hits it hard there will be damage. And these are horses - eventually there will be an accident.

Ramm (and any of the tensile fencing) - The Horse had a case study a few years ago - horse got its leg through, and sliced itself wide open. It was a pretty gory story. I think that is a rare instance, but it is something to think about.

There is NO safe fencing - but some is safer then others. I wouldn’t use any thin braid or wire - too easy for a horse to slice itself open. Also won’t use hog wire (field fence) because horses get their feet through it - I think barb wire is safer then hog wire (and I don’t recommend either, unless you are fencing miles of pasture, in which case that may be the only economical option).

[mountainhorse]

Thanks for the info.
Wow, King-how dreamy and lovely. <3

So, those of you that use Horseguard (seems to be the best!), do you order their insulators or buy separate, as some have indicated? I would love sources. I am getting things together now to place some orders…poor wallet.

Does the charger linked (that two of you have), offer just solar, or can it be plugged in as well? I cannot tell from the ad.

What is Low Impedance? Horseguard seems to indicate their fencing requires a charger that is low impedance…correct me if I am wrong.

http://www.amazon.com/Parmak-DF-SP-LI-Impedance-Battery-Operated-25-Mile-Range/dp/B000BWZB74?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

[moving_to_dc]

I have only used non-Horse Guard insulators.

I just couldn’t part with the $ that Horse Guard wants for their insulators, and I also use T-posts vs. wood posts. I haven’t had any issues with my cheaper insulators aging prematurely or being weak, I am happy with the performance I get out of them. The only complaint would be that you can only find them in white, yellow or black. No green or brown to match the Horse Guard tape.

I have a Parmak solar charger, and a Southern States labeled Parmak AC charger. Both work fantastic with the tape, but I do use 2+ ground rods sunk 6-8’ down and water them regularly when needed. My solar charger has been in use 24-7-365 since 2010 on the original battery, and the AC charger is a circa 2002 model that has also been used 24-7-365. It is kept sheltered from the weather, but not indoors and the only thing I have had to “fix” is to replace a few fuses in it over the years. No big deal and UBER cheap.

You definitely will not have a problem finding a multitude of low-impedance chargers to choose from, as they are everywhere. I have looked for chargers that are NOT low impedance, and have yet to find any, but maybe I am just not looking in the right place.

[King_s_Ransom]

I also use non-Horseguard insulators, but not necessarily because of price. I find it very difficult to know, down to the gnat’s arse as they say, EXACTLY what I am going to need until I am in the job. Engineers do, but me? Not so much.

I will invariably break and/or lose something, miscalculate and/or change my mind. I like being able to run to the farm store and get “some more” of whatever I under-estimated … or return and get a refund or credit for the 100 or so I over-estimated.

Also, the guys at the farm store will help you out more if you buy a little something.

[BroncoMo]

I grew up on Electrobraid and highly DO NOT recommend. We had several horses sustain serious injuries with it. Regardless of it being tightened properly, if a horse kicked over the braid, and kicked again (wrapping their leg in it), results were very bad. The worse was a weanling filly who was cut to the bone (read: through tendon) all the way around. She was lucky that when she ran away from it, the braid “zinging” across her leg cauterized it and she did not bleed much. But the vet bills, and rehab, and loss of use were not worth it. I would suggest tape over braid any day. Great for those who have success with it. But when it goes bad, it’s horrible.

[Jarpur]

We use Horseguard insulators. They have been very helpful in assisting me in ordering the correct amount and type. In fact, once someone “other than myself” insisted that we needed three of an item that the rep said we didn’t require. Well, the rep was correct, of course, and we had to send the items back (no trouble with the return, either).

Also purchased some of the T-post covers, then just didn’t like the look for our situation, so returned those, too (unused).

[mountainhorse]

Ok, now I am looking at the colors from Horseguard. OMG. How do you decide?
Let’s see:
King’s Ransom-you have white. It looks so crisp,…any thoughts, re: color and why white? Personally, I would think white is the most visible.

Anyone with thoughts, re: color choices? I have seen photos of all of them, and don’t mind any of them, honestly!

We have a long winter, and may take the tape down in the winter to put back up in spring-any thoughts on that, re: does it go up and get put down or rearranged pretty easily, or will it stretch/have a memory?

If I leave it up, we have pretty deep snow winters, and I am concerned about it lasting through 3-4’ snow banked on it.
(not to mention, would ‘white’ be invisible then?)

[IFG]

We have Brown. It looks very nice, is 8 years old, and even survived snowmageddon last year.

[Pocket_Pony]

I have HG fencing and have used it for years. At our last place we cross-fenced with it and used it to make runs off the stalls as well. As long as it was hot, no one ever messed with it. Once when our charger wasn’t working (solar for that section, we then switched to electrical since it was in the barn), my mustang would take it down. Guess he was trying to tell me something!

We used to have white because our perimeter pasture fencing was white vinyl, but now that we did more HG at our new place we did the brown/green bipolar and it looks so much better - it sort of fades into the background and isn’t as obvious to our eyes as the white was. I read somewhere that the horses actually see the brown/green better than they do the white. White will show every sag and uneven line more clearly.

We have sometimes very strong winds here and the HG has performed beautifully.

I use their insulators. For the most recent dry lot we did (1.5 acres or so), we set round wooden posts for the corners and then I did one t-post after every five fiberglass posts. We use their t-post covers and they look really nice. One thing to note, though, the straps that they suggest to use with their t-post covers don’t work, they are too short (don’t know why they sell them, then), so Mr. PoPo just got some from the hardware store. Otherwise we use all of their products. The stretchy gate tape is very nice.

I’ll see if I can get some pictures later today. We only put up two strands and it works just fine. If I wanted it for perimeter fencing, I’d put up at least three strands.

Our soil is sandy so we use the bi-polar. Last place was very much clay and granite so we used the mono-polar. We use solar chargers.

The HG website is a mess, IMHO, and they are very helpful if you have questions on how much to order.

I measured out my space in linear feet, decided how many feet apart I wanted the posts and gate space, how often I wanted to put in t-posts versus fiberglass posts, and then added it all up. I must have done it at least five times to make sure I got all my measurements right. I ordered a bit extra of things just in case. The hardest part is putting the posts in the ground. Once you’ve got that all laid out, the rest is easy.