White Sighter Wire

White Sighter Wire — Buying Guide

What Is Sighter Wire?

Sighter wire is a highly visible wire added to the top of an electric or plain wire fence, primarily to increase the fence’s visibility to animals — particularly horses — that may otherwise fail to see (and therefore respect) the fence until they make contact with it. White is the most common colour for sighter wire as it provides strong contrast against most Australian paddock backgrounds. The sighter wire significantly reduces fence-strike injuries, which can be catastrophic for horses at speed.

Why Sighter Wire Is Important for Horse Fencing

Horses can be startled into the fence at speed if they don’t see it clearly — particularly in low-light conditions (dawn and dusk), through tall grass or if the fence runs parallel to a feature that draws their attention. A white sighter wire makes the fence line highly visible at distance, giving horses time to see and respond to the fence before making contact. This is especially important for new arrivals to a paddock who are unfamiliar with the fence location.

Types of White Sighter Wire

• White polywire — lightweight, highly visible; can also carry electric current when connected to the energiser; popular for temporary and semi-permanent horse fencing
• White polytape (20mm or 40mm) — flat tape with excellent daytime visibility; the widest tape provides maximum visual impact; requires tape-compatible insulators
• White plain wire (coated) — white PVC-coated wire for permanent visible sighter lines on post-and-wire fences; does not carry current in the coating version

Installation Tips

Install the sighter wire as the top strand of the fence, at a height appropriate for the horse breed (typically 1200mm–1500mm from the ground). Use appropriate insulators to carry the sighter wire if it is also to be electrified. In horse paddocks, electrifying the sighter wire provides an additional deterrent against fence-pushing and leaning — particularly important in paddocks with stallions or newly arrived horses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does sighter wire need to be electrified?
No — sighter wire can be non-electrified and used purely as a visual marker. However, an electrified sighter wire provides both visual and tactile deterrence, which is more effective in preventing horses from leaning on the fence.

What colour sighter wire is most visible?
White is the most visible against most Australian paddock backgrounds. Yellow is sometimes used in areas where white may be less visible (e.g., against light-coloured soils or during bright midday sun).

Order White Sighter Wire Online — Australia-Wide Delivery

Order online for fast dispatch. We supply equestrian properties, agistment centres and rural landowners across Australia. Contact us for advice on the best sighter wire option for your fence.