Not all livestock behave the same way around electric fencing. Horses, cattle, and poultry each have different needs — and choosing the wrong type of post can turn your fence from reliable to useless. Horses need tall, visible fences that are safe if they brush against them. Cattle require sheer strength to stand up to leaning or rubbing. Poultry need lightweight posts that can hold netting without sagging.
In this guide, we'll look at the best electric fence posts for horses, cattle, and poultry in the UK, explaining what to look for and which brands farmers and smallholders trust most.
If you want to know more then read our complete UK guide to electric fence posts
Best Posts for Horses
Horses are intelligent and sensitive animals. They'll respect an electric fence if it's visible and consistent, but if they can't see it, or if it looks flimsy, they may test it — with risky results.
Key requirements for horse fencing:
- Height: At least 1.4–1.5m to prevent leaning or jumping.
- Visibility: Wide polytape (20–40mm) is safer than thin wire.
- Flexibility: Posts should bend rather than snap if knocked.
- Safety: No sharp edges or brittle plastic that can injure horses.
Best choice: Hotline fibreglass posts.
- Flexible and horse-safe.
- Available in taller sizes for visibility.
- Long lifespan compared to budget plastic posts.
Many equestrian yards also use Hotline wooden strainers at corners, paired with fibreglass runs, for a secure but forgiving system.
Best Posts for Cattle
Cattle are far less delicate than horses. Bulls, heifers, or even curious calves will happily test a fence, lean on it, or rub against it. Lightweight plastic posts rarely last long in cattle fields.
Key requirements for cattle fencing:
- Strength: Posts must handle rubbing and pressure.
- Height: 1.2m or taller, with wires at 60, 90, and 120cm.
- Durability: Must withstand years of livestock pressure.
- Corner strength: Sturdy wooden or steel posts at strain points.
Best choice: Gallagher TurboLine plastic posts for runs, with wooden or steel corner posts.
- Thick, UV-stabilised plastic.
- Reinforced footplates to prevent snapping.
- Trusted by UK beef and dairy farmers for long-term reliability.
A typical cattle fence uses wooden or steel strainers at the corners, with Gallagher plastic posts every 3–4m along the line. This mix balances durability with flexibility.
Best Posts for Poultry
Poultry fencing is different again. Chickens, ducks, and geese won't lean on the fence like cattle or rub against it like horses. The challenge here is keeping netting upright, tight, and predator-proof.
Key requirements for poultry fencing:
- Height: 1.0–1.2m is enough for chickens; higher for geese.
- Lightweight: Posts must be easy to move for rotational runs.
- Flexibility: Works best with poultry netting kits.
- Cost-effective: Many posts required for netting systems.
Best choice: Budget-friendly plastic posts or netting kits, with Hotline poultry posts as a step up.
- Lightweight and portable.
- Available in packs for easy setup.
- Hotline's posts are sturdier than generic imports and hold netting taut longer.
Cost Comparison Per Acre
- Horses (Hotline fibreglass): £420–£750 for posts, plus tape and energiser.
- Cattle (Gallagher plastic + wood corners): £350–£800 for posts, plus rope/wire.
- Poultry (Hotline netting posts): £150–£350 depending on run size.
Why Gallagher and Hotline Work Best
- Gallagher posts are built for strength, which is why UK cattle farmers prefer them. They're more expensive than no-name imports, but they last two to three times longer.
- Hotline fibreglass and poultry posts are designed for safety and flexibility, making them the favourite of horse owners and smallholders who want reliable kit without constant replacements.
Final Word: Match the Post to the Animal
The type of post you choose should depend on the animals you're fencing. Horses need height, visibility, and flexibility. Cattle need strength and durability. Poultry need light, portable posts that hold netting securely.
For most UK setups, that means Hotline fibreglass for horses, Gallagher plastic for cattle, and Hotline poultry kits for chickens and geese. Mixing in wooden or steel at corners is always the smart move.
Get that combination right, and your fence will last years with minimal repairs — saving you time, money, and stress.