Livestock Fencing

Livestock Fencing Guide

Build safer, straighter rural fences with LIGHTNING fence droppers. Explore best-practice layouts for Cattle, Horses and Sheep — including wire counts, heights and dropper spacing.

Rural livestock fence using LIGHTNING fence droppers

Choose Your Livestock Category

Cattle fence with droppers and high tensile wires

Cattle Fencing

3–5 wire layouts for beef cattle. Consistent spacing, fewer posts and straighter lines.

Horse fence with visible top conductor and droppers

Horse Fencing

3–5 wire equine options prioritising visibility and safety. Avoid barbed; use a visible top line.

Sheep fence with tight lower wire spacing using droppers

Sheep Fencing

6+ wire small-stock layouts with tighter lower spacing. Options for offsets and predator deterrence.

Quick Comparison

Livestock Typical Height Wires Wire Spacing (bottom → top) Post Spacing Dropper Spacing Notes
Cattle 1.2–1.3 m 3–5 ~200–300 mm 8–12 m 2–3 m General beef paddocks; consider hot top wire for pressure areas.
Horses 1.3–1.5 m 3–5 ~280–500 mm 8–10 m 2–3 m Prefer plain wire; use a visible top conductor (tape/rail) and avoid barbed.
Sheep 0.95–1.05 m 6–8 80–200 mm (tighter at bottom) 8–12 m 1.5–2 m Consider hot offset/bottom wire and careful ground clearance for lamb safety.

Guidelines shown for typical Australian conditions—adjust to terrain, stocking pressure and local regulations.

Recommended Components

LIGHTNING fence droppers for rural fencing

LIGHTNING Fence Droppers

Keep wire spacing tight, reduce paneling, and extend the distance between posts without losing strength.

View Droppers
Fence strainers and star picket tools for farm fencing

Strainers & Tools

High-tensile strainers, wire spinners, star picket tools and removers for efficient builds and maintenance.

Shop Tools

Livestock Fencing FAQs

Droppers are vertical separators that lock wire spacing between posts. They reduce “paneling”, keep fences straight and allow wider post spacing.

No. You still need strainers, corners and regular line posts. Droppers stabilise the wires between those structural elements.

Yes. Use insulators for live wires and follow clearances around steel posts and gateways.

Ready to plan your fence?

Read the guides, then choose LIGHTNING droppers and tools for a long-lasting result.