Horse Fencing Safety: Building Secure, Smart and Stress-Free Environments

Creating a safe, secure space for your horses isn’t just about keeping them contained — it’s about understanding how they see, move, and interact with their surroundings. The right fencing can reduce stress, prevent injuries, and protect your investment in both your animals and your property.

At Styx, we design fencing solutions that combine safety, practicality, and aesthetics — built for New Zealand’s conditions and for the unique needs of equine environments.

Understanding Horse Behaviour Around Fencing

Horses are highly visual animals, but their eyesight differs from ours. They have wide peripheral vision and are sensitive to movement. However, depth perception can be limited — especially when approaching fences head-on.

This is why visibility and spacing are key factors in fence design.

• High-contrast colours help horses recognise boundaries more easily. Tapes in natural green, brown, or black tones balance safety and aesthetics.
• Smooth, flexible materials like polytape reduce the risk of cuts or entanglement compared to rigid wires or mesh.
• Electric deterrence provides a gentle, clear boundary, discouraging rubbing, leaning, and chewing without causing harm.

Why Electric Fencing is Ideal for Horses

Electric fencing is one of the safest and most effective systems for horses when set up correctly. Rather than relying on brute strength, it works through respect — horses learn to keep a safe distance after one light shock.

Key benefits of electric fencing for horses include:

• Safety – The “psychological barrier” prevents contact rather than containing through impact.
• Flexibility – Easily adapted for different paddock layouts, temporary divisions, or rotational grazing.
• Low maintenance – Once set up, electric systems require minimal upkeep compared to traditional fences.
• Durability – Modern materials like UV-stabilised polyethylene and stainless conductors stand up to sun, wind, and moisture.

Choosing the Right Tape and Hardware

Polytape Width and Visibility 

For horses, 40mm tape offers the best combination of visibility, flexibility, and safety. Narrower tapes (like 20mm) are ideal for smaller paddocks, internal divisions, or when appearance is important, such as around arenas or landscaped areas.

Colour also plays a big role: Brown/Green/Brown or Green/Brown/Green blends naturally with rural landscapes while remaining visible to horses. Kiwi Black complements dark or premium fencing designs while maintaining a subtle appearance.

Outriggers and Offsets

Using electric fence outriggers or offsets helps protect main fence lines and reduce maintenance. By spacing the electric wire 175mm–400mm from posts, you keep horses from rubbing or biting rails — extending fence life and preventing injuries.

Quality Hardware

Pairing your tape with UV-stabilised outriggers, reliable tape clamps, and durable insulators ensures consistent current flow and easy installation. All Styx components are designed to work seamlessly together for lasting performance.

Setup Tips for Safe Electric Horse Fencing

• Top wire height: 1.2m–1.4m for most horses; higher for large breeds or boundary fences.
• Bottom wire height: 45cm–60cm to discourage foals or ponies from slipping under.
• Multiple lines: Use 2–3 lines of tape for safety and visibility.
• Strong end strainers: Maintain tension and prevent sagging.
• Routine checks: Regularly test voltage and inspect for vegetation or wind damage.

Balancing Safety, Style, and Longevity

Good fencing doesn’t need to be an eyesore. Products like the Equine Naturae Poly Tape and Power Horse Tape Kiwi Black combine functional safety with elegant design — providing secure, low-visibility fencing that complements your property’s aesthetics.

When combined with Styx Offsets and Outriggers, you can electrify existing fences or create new ones that look great, perform flawlessly, and keep your horses safe.

Final Thoughts

A safe fence is a stress-free fence — for you and your horses. Whether you’re building a new setup or upgrading existing lines, choosing the right materials makes all the difference in performance, durability, and peace of mind. Explore our full range of horse fencing products here or speak with your local Styx supplier to design a system tailored to your property.