Posted 2013-05-21 11:30 AM (#152194) Subject: ground for a portable fence?
Regular
Posts: 57 Location: Red Wing, MN
We do a fair amount of mounted orienteering with our horses and we've always tied to the trailer. I'm thinking about getting a portable fence this year. But here's what I don't know... How does one go about grounding these portable paddocks (battery powered fencer)? Do I have to bring an 8 ft grounding rod? I can't imagine having to get that into the ground and worse yet, get it out every weekend. So I'm assuming I'm missing something?
Posted 2013-05-21 12:07 PM (#152197 - in reply to #152194) Subject: RE: ground for a portable fence?
Member
Posts: 20
That is a great idea. I use a portable fence at home for temporary pens sometimes. The sell a 3 ft ground rod with a T handle that I use and it works fine
Posted 2013-05-21 1:32 PM (#152198 - in reply to #152194) Subject: RE: ground for a portable fence?
Veteran
Posts: 109 Location: Florida
I agree, just a foot or 2 in the ground would be fine for such a small area, a better ground would be needed for a paddock size area. But copper would be best, just get a copper rod and bend it into a T yourself or just have a pair of vice grips to grab onto the rod to get some leverage for turning.
Posted 2013-05-21 1:45 PM (#152199 - in reply to #152194) Subject: RE: ground for a portable fence?
Veteran
Posts: 109 Location: Florida
I should explain my reason for the t handle or vise grips... To use the t handel for rocking back and to put the rod in the ground and to pull the rod out, also the same for the vice grips and also the grips can be used to clamp the ground wire to the rod.
Posted 2013-05-21 4:33 PM (#152201 - in reply to #152194) Subject: RE: ground for a portable fence?
Veteran
Posts: 104
I made a ground post out of steel rod. I mounted my energizer to it,and put a step bar about six inches from the bottom so I can step it into the ground and a t on top to pull it out. works great
Posted 2013-05-21 9:16 PM (#152204 - in reply to #152194) Subject: RE: ground for a portable fence?
Regular
Posts: 79 Location: Alberta Canada
I use an electric fence a lot while trail riding. I have a Gallagher S17 solar energizer, and use equitape and fiberglass posts. I made a pounder from a piece of 10 inch 2.5 inch dia. heavy wall pipe by welding a plug into one end, it serves for pounding in posts, and pounding in the ground rod. The ground rod is about 4 ft long and I pound in about 2 to 2.5 ft. The ground rod is galvanized 3/4 inch rod. Galvanized does not rust and makes a better ground. Copper is good but finding a piece of copper rod is sometimes an issue. Copper pipe usually bends too easy. I welded a piece of rod down about 12 inches from the top of the ground rod at a 90 degree to main rod, thus easier to pull from ground. Just twist and pull up I usually make a pen about 100 x 100 ft if room permits. If you are in particularly dry ground, pound in rod once, remove, pour some water into the hole and re pound post. That will ensure a better ground.
Posted 2013-05-21 9:43 PM (#152205 - in reply to #152194) Subject: RE: ground for a portable fence?
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
I just drive picket pin into the ground and hook the ground to it. Seems to work for the size of corrals we put while camping. I usually keep a picket pin in my bag of goodies with the hobbles and high line ropes.
What I have problem with is the deer and elk running through the hot wire and dragging it off thru the woods. The horses may know what a hot wire is. But the elk are slow learners
Posted 2013-05-21 9:54 PM (#152206 - in reply to #152194) Subject: RE: ground for a portable fence?
Veteran
Posts: 188 Location: Ingalls, Ks
We've used electric for a lot of years and all we've ever done is clip it to one of our steel fence posts. I think they're Gallagher brand. Go in the ground about 3 or so inches. Also carry a cordless drill in case the ground is real hard. Always has been enough "zap" for us.
ground for a portable fence?
