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Re: [RC] Portable Corrals - Rae CallawayFor those that do like hot wire pens, it does pay to pay attention to where & how you set up your pen. At our rides, there's a group of about 15-20 that have been known to get out and haul ass through camp, but my friend and I pick our spot carefully (near trees or a fence if there's one) and arrange our trainers so that they are also serving as a "freeway" block. Personally, I prefer the hot pen because there's more room for the horses and they can move about and get down and roll if wanted. I also have a panel pen because I have one gelding that has proven that he doesn't have the proper respect for hot wire and will go through it if his buddy leaves or he hears him pass by on the trail. Rae Tall C Arabians - Central Region ----- Original Message ----- From: <heidi@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: <Tshuck64@xxxxxxx> Cc: <Ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Tuesday, June 29, 2004 1:36 AM Subject: Re: [RC] Portable Corrals I am preparing for my first ever "limited distance" ride and I am not sure how I am going to keep my horse overnight. I really dont want to tie him because my trailer is a two horse slant and it has a spare tire mounted on the side and he is always rubbing on it and I am afraid he will get hung up on it. I have looked into portable panels, they are very expensive for what you get. It seems like a horse would reach under one for grass and lift them right up and cause a wreak. I would really like to use electric tape, at least 3 strands. I have read a lot of horror story's about all the wreaks involving electric fences and loose horses at camp and I am thinking of not even going because it sounds like ride camps can be very WILD.... I am open for any advice. I will be attending rides in central Oregon.. ThanksUsually ride camps are fine, but it does pay to have YOUR horse secured so that if someone else's horse isn't, yours does not get caught up in a problem. Angie's solution is a good one--IF there are trees, and IF you are allowed to tie to them, which is often not the case at central Oregon rides. (Angie, remember that in Oregon, they HUG trees, they do not secure livestock to them by ropes. Yes, this was a novel concept for me when I lived there, too--being from Idaho... <g>) So odds are you won't be able to utilize it where you're going. Erika is right that if you use electric fence, you need to get your horse used to it at home. But having YOUR horse used to it does not preclude a loose horse from running through it and "liberating" your horse--which kind of defeats the purpose. I'm not a big fan of them for that reason, despite the fact that many of my own horses live just fine in hot tape at home. Tying is still the safest--but your concerns about the spare tire are valid. Can you tie the horse to the other side, or are there "hazards" on that side as well? Or can you get one of those metal tire covers so that he can't foul himself on it? If not, I'd consider one of the overhead tie systems. I also know folks who have clever hubbies or friends or who are clever welders themselves and who have made their own. They are pretty simple and one of the safer alternatives. Angie is right about tying with a cotton rope--if you do get into a jackpot,you are less apt to burn your horse. And by all means, have your horse "rope broke"--this isn't just a matter of saving his hide if he gets hung up when tied, but can also save your own neck if you happen to ride into a hazard on the trail. Get him used to having legs "captured" by a rope and tied up at home in a no-stress situation--then if it happens somewhere else by accident, he is apt to wait for you to come rescue him, instead of fighting it. And personally, I'd far rather have to sacrifice a halter rope to a hung-up horse by having to cut it with a sharp knife than have to go hunting my horse in the boonies full of all sorts of hazards. Heidi =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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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