How to train your animals to respect electric fencing

Training horses and foals: calm first lessons count 

Cattle and calves: teaching respect early 

Horses and foals are naturally sharp-eyed and quick to react, so their first experience with electric fencing matters more than most. Start in a small training paddock, ringed by solid fencing they already trust, like wooden rails or strong post-and-rail. Inside that, run a single or double line of bright white or coloured tape so it’s clearly visible, even on grey days.

Let them wander in quietly, when things are calm and there’s nothing to spook them. Curious as they are, they’ll nose the tape soon enough. That first quick shock is usually enough to set the boundary in their minds. Watch closely, though: if a young foal panics, it can bolt or injure itself, so the smaller, controlled space helps keep everyone safe.

With horses, it’s rarely about brute force; it’s about clear signals. A calm first encounter teaches them the fence won’t bother them unless they challenge it. Keep the tape tensioned and visible, check the voltage now and then, and you’ll have horses who relax and graze peacefully, rather than fretting at the fence.

Young cattle are curious, bold and often stubborn, which can make electric fence training both important and surprisingly quick. We recommend starting in a secure yard or pen, fenced with solid boards or steel rails. Then run a strand or two of electric rope or tape inside at nose height. Use bright colours so even lively calves spot it straight away. It's important to place the bottom wire low enough to prevent them from slipping through.

Introduce them calmly, ideally when they’re not hungry or agitated. They’ll sniff around, touch the tape and get that sharp but harmless shock. Most calves learn after the first go, even the pushiest heifers usually only test it once or twice.

When turnout time comes in spring cattle go back out to fresh grass, and their excitement shows. You’ll see them kicking up their heels, bucking, racing each other and sometimes pushing boundaries just to see if they’re still there. So regular reminders help, especially after winter housing or if you’ve bought in new stock. A quick refresher session before turnout keeps them respecting the fence.

Our recommendation: For horses and foals, we recommend wide-band fences (20–40 mm), at least two live bands at different heights, and a powerful electric fence energiser with sufficient voltage (at least 2,500 volts).

Our recommendation: For cattle and calves, polywire or rope fences with at least three live rows are suitable. The voltage should be consistently above 4,000 volts. For young animals, fence heights between 40 and 80 cm are appropriate,  ideal with calf netting.

Sheep and lambs: visibility and voltage matter

Goats and kids: outsmarting the escape artists

Sheep and especially lambs and younger ewes can be bold jumpers or sneaky crawlers. Training them takes a bit of planning. A small pen enclosed with strong, non-electric fencing is ideal, with electric netting or several bright strands inside. The brighter, the better: white or orange netting stands out in long grass or gloomy weather. 

Lambs and hoggets will naturally test the fence by nosing or leaning. That first quick shock teaches respect, but watch carefully: sheep can panic and bunch up, which risks tangles or escapes. Keep early sessions short and calm. 

Respect can fade, especially after shearing (when wool no longer insulates them) or big changes in flock layout. Regularly check the netting isn’t sagging, vegetation isn’t shorting it out, and voltage stays up. A well-trained flock makes rotational grazing easier and keeps them safely where they belong.

Goats have a well-earned reputation as natural escape artists. They’re curious, clever, and will happily jump given the chance. That makes electric fencing training doubly important. 

Use a small paddock with solid fencing and bright electric tape inside. Goats spot and remember the tape better if it’s white or coloured, and a decent energiser ensures the shock is strong enough to deter even the boldest nanny. 

Introduce them calmly, letting them explore and test the fence at their own pace. Watch closely: goats often try more than once, and too many shocks at once can panic them. Once they learn the boundary, keep reminding them, especially fast-growing kids who become more adventurous each month. Regular checks for sagging tape, weeds and voltage drops help keep even the most determined goats on the right side of the fence 

Our recommendation: For sheep and lambs, close-meshed netting with a height of at least 90 cm are ideal. Our sheep netting is designed to provide a seamless seal even on uneven ground. Combine the netting with a powerful mains or solar-powered device depending on the pasture situation.

Our recommendation: For goats and kids, use netting with a reinforced base, or combine polywire fence and wire mesh. The voltage should be at least 4,500 volts. A solar device with sufficient power is a good choice, even for smaller areas.

Pigs and piglets: training snouts, not shoulders 

Small animals: poultry, rabbits and more  

Pigs are clever, strong and naturally root low to the ground. That means electric fencing for pigs needs to speak their language: keep the live wire at snout height and add bright tape or flags above to catch their eye. 

Start in a small pen with solid sides. For instance timber boards work well. And use a single electric strand inside of about 20 cm off the ground. Let them wander in calmly; they’ll sniff and root about until they touch the wire. A quick shock teaches them to step back and keeps rooting under control. 

Watch closely at first: pigs can react with frustration or aggression, but usually learn after just a few tries. Keep the wire clear of mud and vegetation, check voltage often, and retrain young piglets as they grow and get bolder.

Even for smallholders keeping chickens, ducks or rabbits, a bit of training goes a long way. Electric netting, designed with smaller mesh and bright colours, is the safest option.  

Set up a small secure pen, let them approach naturally, and watch as they test the netting. A quick shock teaches them to back off. Keep sessions calm and short to avoid panic or injury.  

Regularly check for sagging netting, tall grass or weeds that could short the fence, and remember young or newly introduced birds will need a refresher too. The result? Fewer losses to predators and far less chasing escapees back into the run.  

Our recommendation: For pigs, we recommend at least two live wires or ropes. Use an energiser with high pulse energy (e.g., combination devices for mains and batteries). For piglets, a solid fence with a live wire.

Our recommendation: For rabbits, chickens, and other small animals, we recommend our extra-fine mesh netting (50 or 65 cm high). This netting needs a finely tuned electric fence energiser, battery-operated or solar-powered. Ideal for small, mobile enclosures in the garden or meadow.