Stock & Noble
- BY Tripti Kakkar
Have you chosen EquiRope as the safe, functional and effective electric fence for horses on your property? Do you have specific questions regarding its performance, installation and safety? Then you are in the right place. Keep reading.
However, if you are yet to finalise your decision about this electric horse fence, we recommend first checking out an honest review of EquiRope. Here you’ll find all the advantages and disadvantages of this electric braid, which will help bring clarity to your decision-making process.
You might already know, but we would love to reiterate that, EquiRope is the only electric rope in the world that can be tensioned properly without compromising electric quality.
It is an electric fence created specifically for horses. This polyester rope has eight annealed copper wires woven around it, which carry electricity along the rope and shock horses when touched.
At Stock & Noble, we are the exclusive supplier of EquiRope globally. It’s a successful product used across Australia, New Zealand and Europe.
Being our product, we have an in-depth knowledge of its design, manufacturing and installation process. Based on this expertise in creating EquiRope, and on the experience of supplying it across the world, we will answer the most frequently asked questions about this electric horse fence.
Q1. What can I do to make my EquiRope, electric fence for horses safer?
Q2. Will EquiRope discolour from mould or rope-greening from the copper?
Q3. How powerful is the shock of my EquiRope, electric fence for horses?
Q4. What is the breaking point of my EquiRope, electric fence for horses?
Q5. Can my EquiRope electric horse fence be used with other manufacturers’ fittings?
Q6. Has EquiRope, electric fence for horses caused any injuries to the horses?
Q7.Will the EquiRope electric fence snap if a horse runs into it?
Q8. Can EquiRope, electric fence for horses be used with other metals?
Q9. Why does EquiRope electric fence use copper wires instead of stainless steel?
Q10.What is recommended post spacing for EquiRope, electric horse fence?
Q11.Can I use EquiRope electric fence with star pickets for the posts?
Q12. Is there a recommended distance between the horizontal runs of EquiRope, electric fence for horses?
The answers will help you understand the use, conductivity, installation and maintenance of EquiRope and get the best out of this electric horse fence.
Q1. What can I do to make my EquiRope, electric fence for horses safer?
It is our top priority to keep horses safe and that is why EquiRope is specifically designed to enhance safety at equine properties.
As a first step, make sure it is properly installed so it can work as intended.
Here are a few ways that can help you achieve that.
1. Keep EquiRope highly tensioned.
Tight electric ropes reduce the likelihood of tangles or injuries enormously. The critical number to follow is 2% tension as shown in our installation video.
2. Install the correct fittings of EquiRope.
Roller post insulators by Stock & Noble are designed to break on severe impact and let the EquiRope go, reducing the risk of injury.
3. Maintain an electrified fence at all times.
While animals are contained in the enclosure, EquiRope must remain electrified at all times to ensure optimum performance and life.
4. Use strong strainer posts with EquiRope.
As your fence is supposed to stay tensioned, you have to ensure that the posts at the ends and corners are strong enough to take the tension and not begin to lean over.
Q2. Will EquiRope discolour from mould or rope-greening from copper?
The EquiRope is soaked in an anti-mould solution during its production.
As a result, you won’t see mould or moss growing on the rope as you might on some other electric tapes. Furthermore, the copper in the rope has been tin-plated so it will not turn green or discolour your rope.
Q3. How powerful is the shock of my EquiRope electric horse fence?
Unlike other products that use steel wire, EquiRope uses copper wire. Since copper conducts electricity most efficiently, the rope gives off a strong shock and keeps the voltage constant over long distances.
Several of our clients have had horses that ran through their fences prior to installing Equirope but now respect the electric fence and won’t cross it.
Q4. What is the breaking point of my EquiRope, electric fence for horses?
The EquiRope system is designed to break or release the fittings before the rope breaks.
During the installation of this electric horse fence, Roller Post insulators are installed at the starting and termination points as well as on the corners. As a result, the rope can move freely when under pressure.
In the event that a horse panics and runs into the fence, the tabs holding the stainless-steel pin in the roller post insulator will break, releasing the pin. Their technical breaking point is on 500kg impact.
This impact will, however, cause the rope to break if it is stretched by more than 7%. This is called the 7% stretch-to-break ratio. It is important to note that rope is designed to break before the copper wires do.
When this occurs or the copper wires in the rope become damaged, you can replace the damaged section with a new rope. You can then connect it together using our equivalent striker joiners. The 28 points (or little teeth) will bite into the rope and connect the 8 strands of copper so your electric fence will be as good as new.
Q5. Can my EquiRope, electric horse fence be used with other manufacturers’ fittings?
Unfortunately, no. It is mandatory to use Stock and Noble fittings on your EquiRope to maintain its warranty.
The warranty of this electric horse fence will be void if you decide to install your EquiRope using other products.
Here are some of the features and benefits of the original fittings:
1. Equirope striker and connectors
Each rope gets 28 points of connection, maximising electrical conductivity.
The screw head is made from stainless steel and comes with a wing nut and washer for a safe installation and to ensure that it does not rust or seize.
When the stainless washer and wing nut is placed under incoming wires, it reduces metal-to-metal reactions.
High copper-based gun metal helps reduce the metallic reaction with EquiRope conductors.
2. Roller Post insulator
This insulator is extremely strong and holds the entire strain of EquiRope.
In order to maintain the product warranty, it is essential to install it on corners when installing EquiRope.
The rope tensioning is made easy by the fact that it rolls easily.
The nylon is filled with glass that is highly UV stable.
During a severe impact, the steel roller pins will strip through the tabs to provide safety. As a result, the rope is released, and the risk of injury is reduced.
Q6. Has EquiRope, electric fence for horses caused any injuries?
As opposed to abrasive and rough braids that graze or cut horses’ soft skin, Equirope is designed to be soft, well tensioned and safe for your favourite animals.
However, it has caused injury, only when it wasn’t installed correctly, following the right instructions.
The majority of feedback has been that horses that passed through the fence had no marks on them. We have, however, had one case where a horse went through the fence and suffered a rope burn. According to the customer, if the injuries had been caused by wire, they would have been horrific.
In the words of a vet located in Brisbane, “As a horse vet, I have seen every imaginable type of injury there is to see. I am ordering more Equirope for my property because in my experience it is the best horse fencing there is.”
Q7. Will the EquiRope electric fence snap if a horse runs into it?
Most likely not.
EquiRope is designed to withstand high impact. The breakpoint in the fencing systems is the roller post insulators used in the corners and ends which are designed to break away upon severe impact and release the rope.
So if a horse runs at speed, the insulators are designed to break first, while the rope itself remains strong and has a much higher breaking point.
Q8. Can EquiRope, electric fence for horses be used with other metals?
No, EquiRope is specifically designed for use with only copper clamps or strikers.
Copper is an excellent metal for electric fence environments due to its performance, but it is also softer than other metals.
If a galvanised clamp is used with an electrified fence, it can initiate a process called electrolysis. Since copper is the softer metal, it will be the first to break down.
Copper electric fences or fences with copper wires have less resistance compared to stainless steel or galvanised wire. This means that electricity can flow over longer distances and still deliver a higher shock to the animal compared to using other metals.
Q9. Why does EquiRope electric fence use copper wires instead of stainless steel?
EquiRope utilizes annealed copper, which has a lot of flexibility and resilience. This makes it less likely to snap if something happens, such as a horse running into the fence or a branch falling on it. With annealed copper, you can expect a continuous flow of electricity throughout the fence’s expected lifespan.
Q10. What is recommended post spacing for EquiRope, electric horse fence?
The post spacing for EquiRope depends on various factors, including the nature of the paddock and the number of EquiRope runs. It is important to follow the recommended guidelines to ensure the fence’s effectiveness and functionality.
For large, flat, open paddocks with multiple runs of EquiRope, spacing of up to 6 meters can be considered. This wider spacing is suitable for accommodating the size and layout of such expansive areas.
On the other hand, for smaller paddocks, it is recommended to have a closer post spacing of approximately 3 meters. This closer spacing ensures better tensioning and enhances the overall effectiveness of the EquiRope fence.
It is crucial to note that for EquiRope to function optimally as a fence, it requires strong post support. If the spacing between posts is too wide, it becomes challenging to achieve proper tensioning, compromising the fence’s effectiveness.
Therefore, it is essential to adhere to the recommended post-spacing guidelines to ensure a well-tensioned and efficient EquiRope fence system.
Q11. Can I use EquiRope electric fence with star pickets for the posts?
Yes, you can use star pickets as posts with EquiRope. However, it’s important to consider that EquiRope is a tensionable system, which means the corner and end assemblies must be capable of handling the tension applied by the EquiRope. Star pickets can be utilized as line or intermediate posts in this context.
However, it’s worth noting that star pickets are not recommended as long-term posts in our opinion. They are more suitable for temporary fencing scenarios where a shorter-term solution is required.
For optimal performance and durability, our recommendation is to use Hogan Posts for line posts. When it comes to corner and end assemblies, it is advisable to utilize timber or steel fence posts.
By using appropriate post materials, you can ensure a reliable and long-lasting EquiRope fence system.
Q12. Is there a recommended distance between the horizontal runs of EquiRope, electric fence for horses?
Yes, it is recommended to have a distance of at least 300 mm between the horizontal runs of EquiRope.
This recommendation stems from our experience with projects where EquiRope was installed with narrow spacing. Although the horse couldn’t get tangled within a single strand, there were instances where the horse managed to get entangled by twisting between the two strands.
Therefore, it is advised to maintain a spacing between of 300 mm+ to ensure a safe and effective installation of EquiRope.
By following this recommendation, you can minimise the risk of entanglement and maintain the integrity of your EquiRope fencing system.
Have you found an answer to your question on EquiRope?
EquiRope is a reliable electric horse fence with 5 years of warranty and over 10 years of life expectancy. Now you know the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions on its safety, installation, breaking point and fittings.
If you want to move to the next step and compare the cost of owning EquiRope vs. other electric fences for your property, we recommend digging into a comparison between different electric fences for horses available in Australia and New Zealand.
It will give you an idea of how much you need to spend to get a safe and premium electric braid for your horse property. If you have any more questions on EquiRope or electrifying your fences, book a free personalised consultation.
One of our fencing experts will connect with you for a detailed discussion based on your need and vision. At Stock & Noble, we are driven to help and guide you at every step to create a safe and beautiful equine property.
