horse fence question rope vs tape?

[Standard Hen]

I have board and post with wire electric fence if needed on the inside, two strands, one top and one bottom. It has been up over 20 years now and this summer I had to have a bunch of the post replaced as they were rotted and leaning and everynow and then they break a board either trying to get at grass growing along the edge or someone decides to rub their big butt on it. I really only but the electric fence on when a new horse comes in or in the spring when they want that grass. The only pain about it for me is that both paddocks are surrounded by woods and all the growth during the summer grounds out the wire as it grows like wildfire and I just can't keep up with keeping it cut back. Otherwise I am very happy with it. I have known many that have done the tape and it just does not seem to last but is good for a quick solution until you decide which it is you prefer. Board and post is expensive to do all at once but last a very long time and then there is the updated maintanence like I said. Also some horses will never cross anything and some will. I need to know that they are not going anywhere! Good Luck it whatever you decide to do.

 

[TB1]

Well. excellent topic!
We've used about 4 different types of fencing here in pa and our pastures have alot of rocks.
I'vs used the 5/8 rope elect. fencing from Ramm for about 3 years now and cant say enough good things about it!
I do rehab for off the track Tb's here as well. What I can say is this.

I have 4 strands of it in all my pastures.

I have had my 2000lb spotted draft go thru it once and that was because DH didnt plug the fencer back on and the "moose" was sticking his head thru the fencing to eat the grass on the other side of the fence! The only thing that happend to him was this. The rope stretched and pulled apart at the splicer after it stretched some. NO injury to any part on the horse and it took me 10 mins to restretch the rope and reconnect it to the splicer. My Tb's once they get wapped by the elect. once thats all it takes. Ive even had hunters shooting guns off around the property, a hot air balloon flowing over the pastures and even fire works from the next hills going off. As far a visibility goes. All the horses here can see it fine,even with the snow. And I've never had anyone try and jump the fence as well.
Tape fencing will CUT and tear the hide on a horse just like elect wire will. Wooden..well its high maintance and we got a horse in here to rehab that had a piece of the fencing shatter and go into his chest cavity. Same with tensile wire. even 8 strands can deglove a horses leg to the bone and I had one of them here for that rehab as well.
I think the bottom line is this. Know your horses well.Always expect the "unexpected" and TRY to provide the safest enclosure you can that works best for you and your horse!
JMHO
www.stoneyacres.net
Teri/TB