The best electric fence wire configurations

Whether you’re running a working farm, managing a few acres for grazing, or keeping animals for your family’s livelihood, a well-configured electric fence is one of the most reliable, low-maintenance ways to manage animal behaviour and protect your stock.

We’ve worked closely with farmers, smallholders, and equine yards across the UK, from the wet hills of Wales to arable belts in Norfolk, and one thing’s clear: getting the wire configuration right can make all the difference between a dependable fence and one that just doesn’t hold up.

In this guide, we’ll share real-world advice on wire counts and heights, livestock-specific configurations, post spacing, and how to choose between temporary, fixed, or retrofitted fences, all backed by our years of hands-on experience and customer feedback from across the UK.

Getting the Wire count and height right for different animals

Animal behaviour should shape every decision you make when building or updating your electric fencing. Each species reacts differently to pressure, shock, and visual barriers. That’s why your wire count and height really matter.

Here’s what we recommend, based on our experience in the field:

• Horses: Visibility is key. Use 2–3 lines of electric fence tape or rope, starting at 40 cm and going up to 130 cm. Horses are sensitive and fast-moving, so the fence must be visible, secure, and consistent.
• Cattle: Most respond well to 2 strands of high-tensile wire, typically at 60 cm and 110 cm. Adult cattle learn fast, but young calves need additional lower lines.
• Sheep: With their insulating wool and natural tendency to push under fences, 4–5 strands at 20–90 cm is a must. We often see improved results when alternating wire with tape for visibility.
• Mixed Stock: This is where good planning really pays off. A 5-wire system, evenly spaced from ground level to about a metre high, can often contain sheep, calves, and goats in a shared pasture. Use adjustable clips or insulators to fine-tune as needed.

Animals learn quickly where the boundaries are, but they also test weaknesses. That’s why consistent shock delivery and proper tensioning are so important for long-term containment and welfare.

Post spacing and fencing types: build for strength, flexibility, and the British weather

The UK’s weather can be unforgiving as heavy rain, high winds, and soft ground can all undermine your fencing if it’s not set up right. One common issue we see with our customers is posts spaced too far apart, leading to sagging wires or loss of tension after a storm.

Our field-tested advice:

• Permanent fencing: Use wooden or metal posts at 3–4 metre intervals with quality end strainers.
• Temporary or rotational grazing systems: Plastic step-in posts work well with 5–10 metre spacing, especially when used with polywire or tape.
• For extra security on long straight runs, insert a stiffener post or dropper halfway between strainers.

As for fencing types, here’s what works:

• High-tensile fixed fencing: Excellent for large perimeters or livestock-heavy zones. Once installed, it offers a lifespan of 20+ years with minimal upkeep.
• Temporary fencing (polywire, tape, rope): Ideal for rotational grazing, seasonal separation, or paddock shifts. Easy to set up and move, especially with plastic or fibreglass posts.
• Electrifying existing fences: Using off set insulators, you can add live wires to timber or post-and-rail fences, perfect for stopping horses chewing wood, or keeping predators like foxes out.

We often recommend this retrofit approach for horse yards or smaller paddocks where animals are already contained but need a behavioural boundary.

Livestock-specific and mixed-use systems

We understand that many UK farmers don’t just keep one species. You might have horses alongside sheep, or rotate pigs, goats, and cattle across the same fields. That’s where flexibility and system thinking matter.

Best practice tips:

• Use multi-line setups with adjustable insulators on your posts, so wire height can be tailored for different animals as needed.
• Install quality earth stakes (minimum three, at least 1 metre into the ground) for consistent current, especially in dry or chalky soils.
• Opt for wide tape or rope for visual deterrent where animals are excitable or new to fencing, especially horses or young stock.
• Regularly check and maintain tension. Wet weather and temperature swings can cause sag, reducing shock delivery and allowing animals to push through.

We also recommend using reputable UK-compliant brands like Gallagher, Pulsara, Hotline or Horizont that follow BS EN 60335-2-76 safety standards for electric fence energisers and accessories. Reliable brands reduce risk and provide clear usage guidelines, which is key to safety for both animals and handlers.

Let’s build the right fence for your land and livestock

At the end of the day, your fencing should serve you, not the other way around. It should hold up in all seasons, suit your animals’ needs, and give you confidence that your stock is safe, your neighbours aren’t bothered, and your time isn’t wasted fixing avoidable problems.

We’re not here to push products, we’re here to help you find what works. Whether it’s upgrading an existing setup with distance insulators, laying out a new paddock system, or choosing wire types for mixed stock, we can help you get it right the first time.

Browse our full range of electric fencing systems, or contact us directly for honest advice from real-world experts. We're here to support your farm’s future—one strong fence at a time.