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[RC] containment - Rides 2 FarThe last rides of the season Mike ran more than once to help a horse > get free of the tie when they had their back leg caught over the tie. Stuff can always happen. I've only had my two have any problems at all one time...and they both had problems at the same ride. I had run too long of a rope (maybe 50'?) with 2 horses on it to about a 4" pine tree that would give when they pulled. It looked really tight, but that tree would still give. Hard to explain but when they pulled to reach distant grass it gave, then they turned and it caught them. My friend's horse rolls a LOT. He was not a good candidate for a high line. He was O.K. when I'd jump out of bed to hold the rope to the side, but she slept more sound and he later had a good "episode". Later they bought him a metal corral which he leaned on till it flipped with him and he tore himself up on that. He's probably a good candidate for electric. I see lots of horrible high lines. People leave them sagging really low in the middle and lead lines that are too long. I like the line well above the horse's head (mine's maybe 8.5') and TIGHT. I tighten it several times during the weekend, especially if it rains any. I adjust the lead so it hangs 6" from the ground. A wide cotton lead will do less damage if it does get around a foot but will stretch more when wet so you need to check the length and shorten when necessary. I try not to leave camp unattended. (You'll seldom see Bill & me both at the ride meeting) If I hear a horse getting ready to roll I'm there and hold the rope out of his way. I keep a knife in my pocket but have never had to use it. I sleep close to the line, either in my truck or back of a 2 horse trailer. If I hear *anything* unusual I'm out there. (Note: Becky Siler...if those were your horses squealing in the night I can blame you that I leaped out of bed and ran to my horse, stepping in fresh manure barefoot in the middle of the night. >squish right between the toes< :-P Had to hold the top of my sleepingbag closed really tight the rest of the night). There really is a safe way to do this stuff. None is fool proof. Bad stuff happens to careful people sometimes, but I'd like to see us all try to be careful and give ourselves the best odds for safety we can get. Angie ________________________________________________________________ Sign Up for Juno Platinum Internet Access Today Only $9.95 per month! Visit www.juno.com =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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