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Free standing wire isn't a good idea. The goats basically don't see it. Tape or rope is far better as the animals can clearly see it and figure out that that is what they need to stay away from. If you cannot afford the electric tape or rope, buy some flagging material and tie lots of ribbon streamers onto the wire to make it visible. Don't know the breed of goat you're running, but I suspect your fence is low to them from your description, so they aren't really "getting it", if they do see it. You tend to want something nose high so they see it and touch it with their nose, not their legs or chest. For if they make contact behind their eyes, they are inclined to bolt forward, and not back up. It also helps to have a strand above their head that they can see. It creates a psychological barrier, particularly when combined with the zap on the nose. This top strand does not have to be electric to work, just something they can see. Lastly, you need your fields to be interesting to goats, and what's on the other side of the fence to be non-interesting. A bald field with fencing up against brush is just begging goats to push through. Keep your fence line clear of brush, and keep some distance from it.
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