For a long time I put down electric fence – it doesn't work, my horses always get out blah blah blah.
But actually this was just a reflection on my lack of organisation. What does organisation have to do
with electric fencing? Well when you have 12v battery energisers there's a lot of organisation
required ! I am a very organised, disorganised person. True juxtaposition personified ! I run my own
business successfully and am great with organising my work, appointments, deadlines all the
important stuff but when it comes to remembering to bring a battery home, charge it, then return
it..Not so good. In fact I ruined one of my beautiful showing saddles once upon a time as I had left a
battery in the boot of my car to charge, along with said saddle. The battery had tipped over and
leaked its nasty juices all over the pommel of my immaculate suede saddle. An unfortunate true
story. I still have the saddle in the hope of one day getting it patched up...
Suffice to say, when I was “having problems” with fencing it was because my poor fence was
having to deal with me, not the other way around ! There's nothing wrong with 12v battery
energisers but I do think you have to have a good routine, making sure you have a fully charged one
ready to replace a nearly flat one, taking said nearly flat one home (we don't have the luxury of
electric at the yard) charge it, then remember to bring it back and rinse and repeat until the end of
time. I know plenty of you reading this will do exactly that without a problem and I really applaud
you. It's so simple but SO hard when you're someone that just remembering their car keys is a
challenge.
The fix? Solar panel energises! These have become better and better over the years and although
they can be a bit more expensive they seem to have better longevity and of course are so much more
convenient. Previously the ponies would very VERY quickly work out when the 12v batteries were
running low and be back to executing their prison break, but with the solar energisers there's always
power! Even in the dreariest of Welsh weather, they're always pulsing away and you bet the ponies
know it!
We've also found the smaller solar energisers have been AMAZING for putting atop our wire/stock
fencing for protection. They're very neat and compact (and a bit cheaper) and for shorter runs on top
of stock fencing they have been so good! So even if the above doesn't apply to you as you have
wooden or wire fencing, I'm sure you want to protect that fencing, stop chewing of wood or leaning
over and bending of wire fencing (I know the pain of putting up new fence just for them to squash it
all down in homage of “the grass is always greener”) and these “baby” solar panels have been
perfect!
If you're thinking about switching, or maybe your batteries are on their way out, I'd highly
recommend giving a solar panel energiser a go!
In my recent youtube video I review the new Gallagher S30 Solar energiser.
Check out more of my blog posts:
Is Three ( runs of tape) Really A Crowd?
Tracking – The Electric Fence Way
Classical Dressage Trainer, Bit and Bridle Fitter & Horse Track System Enthusiast!
Tash has undertaken many different paths of training to ensure that the horses she works with have their welfare and comfort as the top priority. Horses having species appropriate turn out is something Tash is also very passionate about and over the last few years she has incorporated a track system into her own land, which has been a huge benefit to her horses both mentally and physically.
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