Re: [RC] Pros and Cons of confinement systems - Jessica Spoone-Raines
I have a 3 horse slant trailer with a large
dressing room so I use the trailer as one side of my corral. Its less panels to
carry and give them a secure place to be fastened to so they cant be collapsed
(at least not easily). I have done a lot of camping with my guys this way and it
works out well.
Subject: [RC] Pros and Cons of
confinement systems
*Electric fence corral:
Pro's-
can set up different sizes as per camp
restrictions, takes up little space in rig, not too difficult to set up. Cost
fairly reasonable.
Con's- not as visible, especially to a
loose horse, running through camp. If a horse (yours or someone else's) runs
through it, it can cause a HUGE wreck, spooking more horses as wire and posts
are being dragged through camp, needs power source to make it "hot", can be a
hazard to kids if they touch it (but they won't do it again! ;-)
) Horses wearing a blanket can learn to lean on it, and not feel the
bite.
*Portable metal or PVC corrals:
Pro's - some horses view them as a "normal"
corral and will respect them. Very visible to other loose horses. Some can be
adjusted to size and shape as per camp area available. Many are fairly strong
for horses who do test their confinement.
Con's- Cost, depending on system, can be
expensive. Some horses can lean into them, and have the collapse around them,
causing panic. Can be noisy if metal, and the horses learn to clang and bang
against them. Some horses learn to lift them and move them by putting head and
neck between them and lifting. Needs more storage space to haul them to ride.
Must be set up, and often tiresome after a weekend of riding to take down, and
store on to rig to haul home.
*High lines:
Pro's- cheap, easy to set up. Horses can move
some on them if you make them a sliding tether. Take up next to no space for
storage. Not much set up time.
Con's- not all rides have high tie poles or trees
to tie to. Can stretch and droop if not tied really, really tight, then
causing the horse to have the ability to get a foot over their tie rope.
*tie to trailer:
Pro's- you already have everything needed. A
trailer and lead rope. Quick, easy to take down at end of the
ride.
Con's - many people have trouble with horses
getting in to trouble, rope burns, getting caught under the trailer when the
lay down etc. (I have not had these issues) horses that tug and rub can bump
and move the trailer at night, waking the rider if they sleep in
trailer.
* Hi-tie systems:
Pro's- easy to set up and take down. more room
for horse to move around than direct tie to trailer. Cost less than some
corral systems.
Con's - for horses who do not tie well, any tie
system is a problem. same as tie to trailer, some folks have trouble with rope
burns etc. Getting the right length of tie rope seems difficult for some
people to allow horse to lay down and roll, but not get caught in rope. (I
don't think this is a system problem, but user issue) cost is more than
tie to trailer, or maybe some electric fence systems.
As mentioned. Not all systems will work for all
horses and riders. What has worked for me for over 20+ years (direct tie to
trailer or Hi-Tie) is something many have had trouble with and will never use
with their horses. You need to match the system used with what will work for
you and your horses. All of the systems have a level of training involved to
have it work the best for you.
