Is It Safe to Touch Electric Horse Fencing?
Many people wonder if they will get hurt by touching an electric horse fence. RAMM's fence chargers are low-amperage and high-voltage, which produces a shock that is not harmful to humans or animals. Home electrical outlets inside your home are opposite; high-amperage and low-voltage (which is dangerous).
Should someone inadvertently contact an electrified fence, he or she will receive a shock. Always use caution and avoid touching an electrified fence with the head or upper torso. People with heart conditions, children, or elderly should avoid touching electric fences. Children should be shown the fence and given an explanation of why they should never touch the fence. If your facility will see a lot of small children or visitors who are not familiar with horses and electric fence is a concern, talk with our representatives about the other non-electric fence options we offer. We understand that electric fence is not right for every situation; we can help you find a solution that accomplishes what you need.
Always post warning signs on your electric fence to alert others of the electrical presence. Check with your local extension agency for your area’s requirements on how many electric fence warning signs must be posted (and any requirements for the sign itself). It’s also important to alert any visitors who may go near your pasture.
"Is it okay to ride in a horse paddock with electric fence turned on?"
While the electric fencing may not be harmful to you, we recommend having a separate area for riding and groundwork that is not surrounded by an electric fence. For example, should your horse contact an electrified fence while you are riding or handling it on the ground, the horse could bolt and possibly cause injury to both of you.
Moreover, if budget or space dictates otherwise, we highly advise you to TURN THE POWER OFF while you are riding with cut-off switches. Cut-off switches allow you to turn off the power to your fence rails. Determined by how your fence system is installed, you can have it set up to have specific fence rails electrified and others off. When you are finished, remember to turn the power back on.