Corner post insulators and end termination post insulators have two purposes, firstly they are an insulator to prevent electrified shorts between the fence and the post, secondly as the fence line changes direction or the electric fence line terminates they become an electric fence wire tension point. Inside corners require heavy duty load bearing strain Insulators.
The insulators are normally made from a non conductive Glassacetal material or a type of polypropylene plastic. They are fixed with wire, screws or nails to wood posts, metal corner / termination end posts have a variety of purpose made insulators that hook on.