Hi All

Thought I would try and start a thread, what are people's opinions on 'Round Pens'?

I have been riding for quite a while and 'playing' western so to speak and have decided to focus on it more. I have just got access to a round pen which is currently sited on grass in a field(it is 50 ft). Apart from loose schooling, what else does everyone feel works well in a round pen?

I would love to hear everyones thoughts and ideas on this subject.

Hi,
couldn`t live without it, as far as schooling is concerned, english or western they are a must, but it seems that only true western enthusiasts see the potential & logic behind them, it is not just about free schooling, it is about building your foundation from the ground up, & truely getting your horse to hook on to you, in a controlled area, I have spoke to many people mostly english riders who have come to our home, saw the round pen & promptly mocked it as some sort of circus gimmick, it seems the in thing to just lunge a horse to death to wear him out prior to riding, we have heeps of fun in ours, sometimes two of us will ride in opposite directions, that keeps the horses awake I can tell you, they are an essential tool in any horse world, purely from the amount of respect that can be gained from them. We had one shipped in from the states 12 years ago, & it is still going strong to this day, then my husband started to make the panels, ours is 50ft also, we wished we had gone for the full 60ft, but it works fine, as a stepping stone with the younsters, before the big arena.
ENJOY & have fun.

Hi there, umm my thoughts on round pens, make sure they are high enough. When my youngster was away for starting she actually jumped right out of one. The sides were about 4ft.
LOL she hasnt been in one since

Likewise I would not be without mine either. An absolute essential tool for creating and maintaining a connection with your horse especially youngsters.
I think the ideal size is 50ft and this is echoed across many US trainers that I have spoken to. A roundpen that size is just the size to maintain the horses attention for you to become the alpha horse controlling the mid ground, 50ft creates the correct arc in the horses body for pretty much all of the work we need to do.

My theory is that just as Monty Roberts chased that mustang for 24 hours till it stopped, turned and joined up with him, I think the horse does not actually realise the pen is round...he is just trying to flee away from you but cant, you just stand there controlling the centre and he cant get away rom you, so he has to turn in to you and join up?? ..............Just my theory.

Like anything else they have to be used judiciously by people who know what they are doing as a roundpen can be quite a threatening environement for a horse that can't escape.

As for 'join up' - personally I'm very against this unless people REALLY understand what is going on with the horse. There have been umpteen disastrous examples of people reading an article or watching a DVD and trying it with their own horses, insisting the horse then joins up.

hi,
I agree aswell, it is not some thing that you can see someone like monty Roberts do, & then think I will have a go with that with my horse (Personally I dont rate him Thats my opinion), but you also have to be able to read the horse when to back off & when to put the pressure on, & should be left to the pro`s if you dont know what you are doing, its not just about getting them to bomb around a 50ft circle, although alot will at first, till they understand, & 4ft in height is not exceptable, way too low, 6ft minimum, but people see good & bad in everything, & what suits one doesnt always work for another, but the rewards from the round pen for starting horses speak for themselves, how many people can drive their horses from behind without any form of line rope, or even headcollar attached, just by pushing on the left eye & right eye, try it, & keeping that horse hooked on at all times, we have done it with all of ours, & it still makes me get goose bumps, just to see how much they trust, & want to be with you, but hey! its whatever floats your boat.