I have seen a lot of portable corral problems, and don't use hot wire. A
horse can just rub up against a plastic PVC type of corral and knock it
over. The first generation steel portable corrals used little hooks on the
panels to hold them together. The horse can just bump the panel, or lift it
with his nose and open the corral. I have a friend who just carries regular
pipe fencing to the ride. Very safe and strong, but what a pain to work
with. I don't have any experience with the new roll out corrals that
attach to the side of the trailer.
I bought a "Horsin Around" system form Hoff fabrication in Idaho somewhere.
I saw them at the conference last year and was impressed. They solve a lot
of the problems other corrals have.
1- security. The HA system uses a 3 foot long pin at each end of the panel
to hook them together. (just like a door hinge) The horse cannot open
these panels.
2- strength. The HA panels are made of square steel, and are very sturdy.
They are heavy enough to be very strong, yet can be moved around by a small
woman. (sorry)
3- size. My HA setup has 11 panels, and it makes a huge round pen, or 2
smaller standalone pens, or 2 pens attached together, or any combination of
the above. They are very flexible- you can make them in any shape or size
you want.
4- trailer mounting. This is my favorite feature. Most portable corrals
mount to the trailer on hanging brackets, and shake, rattle, and roll while
driving. It can sound like an armored division coming across the field when
they drive up. The HA system uses an ingenious mounting bracket that does
not put the weight of the panels on the side of the trailer. They are
clamped on to the bracket with a turnbuckle , and do not rattle at all!
They even have a built in lock.
5- features. You can buy bucket hangers, saddle racks, neat feeders, and
tack hangers that attach to the corral.
Of course this system costs more than the others, but in my opinion it is
far and away the best system out there. You can expect to pay about $400
for a normal old style corral, and the full blown HA system complete with
mounts is about $800. (but it's twice the size as the others, and more
flexible) You can buy less panels, and it becomes cheaper.
If anyone is interested I will get the address and phone number of Hoff.
They have adds in the Endurance News magazine.
Be sure to tell them Nick sent you.