THE ZIG CORRAL

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If you decide to go the balance-gate route, don't try to build the whole gate on the ground before hanging it. It's much easier (in my experience) to put the hinge and balance beam up first, and add the rest of the gate (which consists of nothing but a framework of eight or ten boards nailed to a couple of hardwood poles, as shown in Fig. 6) afterwards. If the balance beam isn't exactly straight, be sure to turn it so that it curves upward (for plenty of clearance over the rails).

One other suggestion: You may find it useful-as we have -to leave a 12" gap between the bottom of the gate and the ground, so you can open the gate easily in icy and snowy conditions.

THAT'S IT!

That's all there is to building a "zig" corral. When you're finished you'll have a massive, super-strong, low-cost, maintenance-free structure that's aesthetically pleasing and (more important) very safe for its animal occupants (no sharp corners or protrusions to mangle your heedless horse or clumsy cattle). More important still is the fact that the complete enclosure is-for all intents and purposes -completely unbreachable: Even the most cunning equine (Fig. 8) will be unable to escape the confines of this enclosure

I'm no expert when it comes to fences and corrals, but if there's a better-looking, less expensive, more effective way to put an uppity horse in his place (and keep him there) ... I haven't seen it!

PHOTOS 1,4 BY W. SCHAFFER, PHOTOS 5, 7 BY THE AUTHOR, PHOTO 8 BY L. SCHAFFER

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