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Splicing and stretching go together. The best splicing method I've found is using the crimp connectors. What would take me 20 minutes to do by twisting is done in two minutes with the crimper. If you use a cheap one though, you will get cheap results. Buyer beware! At end posts, if they are wood, I staple the wire half way around the post, reverse, and staple the pig tail down. Takes about 3 staples for each wire. If it's a metal end post I wrap around the post and use the crimp connectors to make the loop. But I still hand wrap the top and bottom strands because they are so stiff I can't get the crimping done on them. Tensioning is best done in my experience after the ends are fastened. I then pull tension in the center until I get it how I want it, cut out the now bowed excess, and spice there. Much faster and easier then attempting to pull tension on the ends I've learned. To pull tension I drop two 2x6's, one on each side of the fence. I bolt them tightly together with about 4 bolts, clamping the fence between them. Repeat again about 30 feet away. I attach the ends of a chain to the top and bottom of the board clamp. Repeat on the other. Now use a come-a-long connected to the two chains and pull tension. You may have to adjust the spacing between the boards depending on how long the span is, how sloppy lose it is laying on the ground, and how much tension you want. As tension is pulled, the fence will stand up and can easily be placed against the posts along the entire span.
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