I have never in my life used hotwire, as I never needed it, but I will be using it this year.  Two of the three horses I will be turning out in it I don't believe have ever seen hotwire before, and the other horse I'm not certain (though she's old enough to have seen every fence type in the world ;) ).  I was wondering, what is the safest way to go about putting horses in hotwire?  Do I just turn them out and let them get shocked as they figure out that they must respect it?  What I will be getting is a portable corral set-up, and as the gelding likes to chase horses around I will be setting it up into three separate "pens" to keep them from nagging each other; the pens will each be 60' by 60' with one strand, or 30' by 30' with two strands.  Should I set it up into one larger area (approximately 125' by 125' with one strand) first so they have more room to run around if they get spooked, and then once they get used to it switch to the three pens?

Reining_Lover:

Should I set it up into one larger area (approximately 125' by 125' with one strand) first so they have more room to run around if they get spooked, and then once they get used to it switch to the three pens?

That would probably be best idea since you're using a "portable" set up. In a smaller pen it would be more likely the horses could knock down the stancheons by bolting into them after the first shock or two. They should learn to avoid the tape or wire very quickly after each has had the experience. Quite often they will learn to avoid the wire or tape just by it's presence after that, whether it's hot or not. ~FH

First, put out at least 6 flakes of hay in varied places (if there is no grass).  Then lead your herd boss horse around the perimeter of the enclosure first and turn loose.  Then take the next one and lead them around and turn loose.  Then do the same with low man on the totem pole horse.  After turning them all loose they might run and play and be stupid but with the hay (or grass) to distract them it won't be so bad.  Be sure your fencer is good and hot BEFORE you turn out.  Then keep it on.  

Honestly, I've used hot wire in different situations for years, and never had any major issues.  I put a yearling filly in a paddock with a hot wire run across the top of regular fencing.  She knocked it with her nose almost immediately because she was constantly pushing on fences.  After jumping back a few steps, she got a 'what the heck' expression on her face, and within a day of turnout she would only come within about 2 ft of the fence.  I've turned large groups out in newly hot wired fences, and never had any issues with any running through it.  There usually isn't a whole lot of craziness with any of mine, they may jump back a step when they hit it, but I've never had any straight bolt and go ballistic.  Honestly, the comment about maybe tossing some piles of hay out is great...that will definitely slow their desire to run around and be fools.  Good luck! 

Thanks all!!

 We've had good success by using surveyors tape to mark or set off the fence so that the horses have a good visual on the fence too.

I would highly suggest getting electric TAPE instead of wire.  If a horse gets caught up in the tape it will break easily avoiding injury.  If a horse gets caught up in the wire it will cut their legs up something awful while zapping them the whole time because it won't break.  We have 20'x40' (approx.) paddocks made from two strands of electric tape.  We train horses so we have hundreds of horses a year go in them.  Not a single horse has paniced and run through the fence.  A small handful (like 2 I can think of off hand) did not do well in it (became too nervous about their environment) and we moved them to the pipe panels.  Otherwise even our semi-wild mustangs (in training) do fine in them.  I would also suggest going with two strands at all times.  With one strand most horses will push underneath it, go through it, or over it.  We get all our supplies from TSC and it's not expensive at all (for equine fencing anyway).  We have also found that the electric plug in chargers are much more reliable than the solar.

That is what I meant, electric tape, I just tend to say hotwire whether I mean wire or tape.  But thanks anyway :)

The one thing you have to be careful about with the hay- yes, it may slow them down, but also you are going to be around in a few hours when they are done eating and want to run around. If you feed them, think they are good, then leave, they could get in a bind when they finish eating and start playing around. I would turn them all out, during the day when it is light outside and they can see it, and let them touch it a few times. They learn quickly, and won't touch it again usually. Then feed the hay when you are sure that they know where the fence is.

Have you already purchased your electric fence?  If not, I HIGHLY recommend this rope: http://www.premier1supplies.com/detail.php?prod_id=17857&cat_id=41

I've used different tapes and have had friends use the actual wire (which you've already said you're not using) and this stuff is tons better.  The tape knots/kinks easily and sags or twists. This rope is highly visible, soft, easy to use , looks nice, and is durable.  I've had it out in my fields for probably close to 10 years now.