Most wire or webbing for electric fences is hand-tightened to a medium tension. High-tensile wire requires equipment to stretch it tightly. For safety and high visibility, you can choose from wiring encased in vinyl polymer, as a braided rope, or smooth plastic cord. You can choose the more visible flat tape, also called webbing. The rope measures from three-sixteenths inch in diameter, with white plastic encasing metal strands or a cable.
Tape consists of polyethylene yarns woven into a white ribbon.
The ribbon contains metal filaments of copper or stainless steel wire. As a reinforcement to an existing fence, you also can run a single strand of smooth, bare wire of steel or aluminum. Whatever wire choice you prefer, the line should be strong enough to remain straight and tight, yet give way in case of an emergency. Your horse can push into the fence by accident, if he loses his footing or gets shoved against the fence by another horse. Manufacturers rate wire by break strength or break load.