Shush

We have been debating an electric fence-not to keep the horses in, but to keep dogs and other unwanted animals out. How safe are they, to all involved? I would not want to be responsible for any animal injury.

highstepper

A proper electric fence is totally safe. A human can touch it and get a minor jolt. It feels kind of wierd. The amount of electricity in the fence is minor. It isn't enough to harm, just to make the animal back off.

purplefdu

Just don't step in a puddle from filling water buckets and hook it to your braces...its not fun, lol.

Otherwise they are very safe. Most animals can hear and "smell/taste" the electricity and the jolt is very low even to a smaller animal. And the chargers can be had from solar power.

eeyore

I would imagine its not an issue either. Even if the electricity isn't pleasant its stills safer then barbed wire or other do-it-yourself fences I've seen some places.

Mick

I have never liked electric fences, and I refuse to use them.

They may sound good in theory, but I just can not bring myself to buy one.

That said, I do agree it's still a lot better and safer than a barbed wire fence.

SaddleSore

Our neighbour has a similar thing for their dog-one of the invisible fences that zaps the dog through it's collar. They started off with a bunch of white flags around the yard and are reducing the number as the weeks go by. The dog definitely will not go near-she's afraid of crossing that boundary but when it has gone off, she has only appeared mildly uncomfortable.