Building A Round Pen

Chichagof residents divided over geothermal prospect

SITKA, ALASKA (2011-06-16) As communities brace to see which of this year’s state capital projects survive the governor’s veto pen, a proposed energy development on Chichagof Island is already generating controversy. Pegmatite Mountain is a geothermal site on the island. While it’s not yet known how much hot water there is, and how much electricity it could produce, proponents believe Pegmatite is ideally situated to serve three villages with this new, renewable, and relatively inexpensive form of power. The trouble is, Pegmatite – though green – is still development, and Chichagof Island residents are divided over whether the benefits are worth the risks to their remote lifestyle. Skaflestad has long advocated building a road across northern Chichagof Island to connect Hoonah with Pelican, whose small hydro plant has enough surplus energy to help Hoonah. Thirty-five land miles separate the two towns, about half the distance of the water route. Winter gales in Cross Sound also can sometimes isolate Pelican, and it may be three weeks between ferries. Hoonah’s ferry service is far more reliable, on inside waters all the way to the capital. About one-third of the way between Pelican and Hoonah along this proposed road sits Pegmatite Mountain, at the head of Tenakee Inlet. This year’s capital budget has a $599,000 line item for the Inside Passage Electrical Cooperative – or IPEC – to study the geothermal prospects at Pegmatite, with the idea of eventually replacing costly diesel power on the island with generators similar to those already in place at Chena Hot Springs, outside of Fairbanks. The Chena project uses hot water to vaporize a coolant liquid. The pressurized gas drives three turbines that produce a combined 680 kilowatts of electricity, at a cost of about $.07 per kilowatt hour. And there’s more that Tenakee objects to: In February, the city council passed a resolution asking Sen. Lisa Murkowski to withdraw Pegmatite Mountain from the Sealaska lands selection bill. That’s right: Sealaska has selected the 40 acres that IPEC would like to explore as one of their so-called “futures sites.” IPEC and Sealaska plan to move forward on Pegmatite as partners. “What we’re trying to do is simplify the permitting process, make it easier to get done, and I think that’s the same thing that we bring here.

Metal Panels Arent Your Only Round Pen Solution | m3muscle.com

2006 E. Landers

It is thought that the horses memory is second only to the elephants. What does that mean for you? Well, simply put, any mistake that you make will likely never be forgotten.

That said, the Round Pen is truly the place where both you and your horse learn to speak each others language. With time and work, it will seem like both of you can read each others minds. And, round pen training helps you avoid costly mistakes that can take years to mend.

Once youve decided to build a round pen, you do have options. Metal panels are not your only solution. You can build your round pen out of wood fence or vinyl fence. Or, choose a combination of wood posts with vinyl rails

Its actually not that difficult to build your own round pen. The hardest part is getting your measurements right, then digging your post holes. However, the entire process is fairly simple and can usually be completed in a weekend by yourself or with friends.

One nice thing about building your own round pen is that it can be less expensive than buying metal panels. And, you can customize it the way you want it. Youll get to choose the height, gate width and number of rails. And you can add personal touches like a walk through gate or a second people only gate!

Safety is an important issue to consider. Simply put, metal round pen panels do not give. If a horse gets caught in a panel or a rider gets bucked off, its usually not a pretty site.

Wood rails will give a little bit depending on their thickness and they will also break under extreme pressure. This will provide some relief and is definitely safer than metal.

Vinyl rails are the safest solution to building your round pen. The rails give and absorb shock brilliantly. Depending on the type of vinyl rail you use, the wood post will often snap before anything happens to the rail.

The look of the round pen is also essential. You can match the look of your existing fencing to your round pen. For example, if you have 3 rail fence on your property, you can build your round pen as 3 rail wood or vinyl and experiment with the rail width.

Make sure your round pen feels somewhat enclosed. Depending on your post height and rail width, you could end up with an airy feeling round pen or an enclosed round pen. Post heights range from 4.6 7. Wood rails are usually 6 8 wide on round pens. Vinyl rail usually comes in 4, 5 and 6 widths.

Maintenance is another factor to consider. Try to use pressurized wood if you can. It holds up much better than standard lumber and insects dont tend to like it very much! Prime and paint or stain your wood. This will protect it and also give you a choice in the color of your round pen.

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