One thing I have found over the years is to build a corral with hot wire and T posts.( I use a 12 volt shocker) Make it large and build the corral so they have access into the creek. That way they can roll, rest, and drink what they want when they want. I could not believe how much stronger the animals were compared to having them a week or so on a high line.
I have seen guys use them in the back country but as I posted before sooner or later something comes thru camp at night, spooks them, they run thru the wire, and off they go.
In Colorado if the Forest Service or BLM catches you with the pen going down to the water, they will write you up. It is the same rule as camping within 100 feet of a stream or lake.
Most guys that I see using this method tend to tear up a lot more grass and ground as the horses or mules overgraze that pen. Again, if the FS or BLM sees that, you got another ticket coming. I have even seen them write up guys who nailed fence insulators into trees.
With more and more people using wilderness areas, they are getting more fussy about use and damage. I had two rangeretts that were going to write me up because I had broken off some small willow brush going down to where I had my highline. They were harassing me for sure and just didn't want me camping where I was.
