Few things are more frustrating than walking your fence line and seeing posts leaning at odd angles or sinking into the soil. A leaning post isn't just unsightly — it weakens the whole fence, reduces conductor tension, and invites livestock to test it.
This is one of the most common issues UK farmers and smallholders face, especially in wet winters. The good news? It's almost always preventable if you use the right posts and install them properly.
In this guide, we'll explain why posts lean or sink, and how to stop it happening — with practical solutions using Gallagher and Hotline posts.
If you want to know more then read our complete UK guide to electric fence posts
Why Do Posts Lean or Sink?
1. Soft or Waterlogged Soil
Heavy rain softens ground, causing posts to wobble and sink over time. Cheap plastic posts are especially prone to leaning in these conditions.
2. Livestock Pressure
Cattle rubbing, horses leaning, or sheep pushing under the line can tilt posts quickly if they're not strong enough.
3. Shallow Installation
Posts not driven deep enough don't have the base strength to resist strain.
4. Weak Footplates
Budget plastic posts often have thin, brittle footplates that snap or twist when pressed into firm soil.
5. Incorrect Post Type
Using lightweight plastic posts at corners or gateways guarantees leaning within weeks.
How to Prevent Leaning and Sinking
Use Strong Corner and End Posts
Corners take the most strain. Always use:
- Hotline timber posts (pressure-treated, 60–90cm in the ground).
- Gallagher steel T-posts for rocky or heavy-duty boundaries.
Never use lightweight plastic at corners — it won't last.
Choose Quality Line Posts
- Gallagher plastic posts have reinforced shafts and wider footplates that hold steady in soft soil.
- Hotline fibreglass posts bend under pressure but don't snap, making them ideal for horse paddocks.
These resist leaning far better than no-name posts.
Install at the Right Depth
- Wooden and steel posts: one-third below ground (minimum 60cm).
- Plastic posts: deep enough that the footplate is fully buried.
- Fibreglass posts: 30–40cm deep depending on height.
Brace Gateways and High-Pressure Points
At gateways, use Hotline timber or Gallagher steel posts, properly braced. This prevents strain from pulling lighter posts over.
Maintain Regularly
Walk your fence line every few weeks. Straighten any leaning posts before they worsen, and replace broken ones immediately. Gallagher's reinforced plastic posts are designed to be swapped in quickly when needed.
Quick Fixes for Leaning Posts
- Plastic post leaning in soft soil: Push deeper if possible, or replace with a Gallagher heavy-duty plastic post.
- Wooden post starting to tilt: Drive in a brace post at an angle and secure with a strut. Hotline's bracing kits make this simple.
- Fibreglass post moving: Reset deeper and ensure clips are positioned evenly to balance strain.
Avoid hammering posts back upright without securing them — they'll just lean again within days.
Why Gallagher and Hotline Posts Stay Upright Longer
The difference comes down to design and build quality:
- Gallagher posts are thicker, UV-stabilised, and reinforced at the base, so they resist frost damage and footplate snapping — two of the main causes of leaning.
- Hotline posts (timber and fibreglass) are treated for longevity and built to handle UK soil conditions, meaning they stay straight in wet winters where budget posts quickly tilt.
By contrast, cheaper posts usually have thin shafts and weak footplates. Once they start leaning, you spend more time straightening than fencing.
Final Word: Prevention Beats Repair
A leaning fence post is a sign that something wasn't strong enough to begin with — whether it's the soil, the installation, or the post itself.
The solution is simple:
- Hotline timber posts or Gallagher steel posts at corners and gates.
- Gallagher reinforced plastic posts for straight runs.
- Hotline fibreglass posts for horse paddocks.
Spend a little more on quality posts and install them properly, and your fence will stay upright and reliable for years.
