Re: porta fence

["S. WILLIS" <smw@sos.net>]

Hi all,
    I know this electric fence -vs- panel -vs- picket line has been beat
to death before, but there still seems to be enough interest to keep it
alive.  So here's my 2 bits worth.
    I travel with a mounted team of sixteen riders and we travel from
March-October every year with our horses.  Sometimes we have stalls -
most times we just have an open field to park in.
    Many of us use the electric corrals, and have had very good success
with them, but they are NOT 100% trustworthy.  And it doesn't matter
what kind of electric charge you run through it - it is still a
'temporary' restraint.  Should a horse hit it at full stride (either
yours or someone else's) it will fall apart.  We've had other animals
(calves, deer, etc.) run into ours.  Horses have rolled into them.
Horses have accidentally shocked themselves on one side and jumped right
through the other in surprise.
    If you choose to use one, try to make it no larger than 12x 16' -
that way the horse inside can't get a run at it and charge through.  If
you are able to - set it up within another more traditionally fenced
area.  That way if your horse does get loose they don't go far
(hopefully!)  We generally rope off our entire group's camping spot.
Keep a well fitted halter on your horse in case you do have to chase
them ( or someone else does).

    Picket lines - we use these frequently when camping in the
backcountry.  It was tricky at first getting them at the right height
and TIGHT enough not to sag.  Your tie rope should allow the horse to
lower it's head, but should not touch the ground. Properly fitted, a tie
rope attached to a picket line cannot entangle the legs - it's two-three
feet away at minimum.  Do make certain also that each horse has his own
'space' and that the tie ropes don't slide together.  We just tie knots
into the pickett rope - others use a piece of hardware called a knot
eliminator.  Again, make certain that your halter is well fitted.
    For my own personal choice my horse sleeps inside my stock trailer -
it is just a bit smaller than a box stall and I sleep better knowing
when I get up he's safe and comfortable.  He can move around freely and
even lie down.  I do worry about him getting cast should he try to roll,
but it hasn't happened yet.  I sleep in the front half (camper section)
so I'm not too far away.
    Well, this got a bit long winded!  Forgive me, those of you who know
this stuff forwards and backwards - remember new people read this list
every day (hopefully!) and it may be useful to someone else!

Susan and Cheyenne