Horse Round Pen Ideas & Plans

A horse round pen has many uses. It is used for training, providing a stall and storing hay or equipment. Round pens are set up in panels, as fencing or by building a structure from wood. Making a round pen safe for you and your horse is important and must be of utmost importance. This includes providing a safe location, proper footing and a sound structure that is the proper height and size, as recommended by the Natural Horse Training Round Pen Guide.

  1. Location and Size

    • A round pen should be placed in a location that has level ground. The location should not hold water or be susceptible to moisture, which can cause thrush. The ideal size for a horse round pen is between 50 and 60 feet in diameter. The height of the round pen should be around six feet.

    Footing

    • The footing in a round pen is extremely important if you use the pen for horse training, since it provides cushion for your horse's hooves. The ground should be level with no rocks. Tilling the ground with a tractor or garden tiller works well when preparing the round pen footing. Mix the dirt with sand, and then till it under to make the footing suitable for training. If the pen is used for stalling a horse it is not as important, but it should be free from debris.

    Portable Round Pens

    • There are several options available for portable horse round pens. Using a portable round pen allows you to move it, use it as a temporary stall or store hay or other equipment in the pen. Galvanized steel and painted steel panels are available to construct a portable horse round pen. Options are available with five or six rails per panel. The panels are connected by welded hinges that offer the option of quick setup and take-down. A gate placed in the round pen allows for easy access.

    Permanent Round Pens

    • Options for permanent round pens include a wooden round pen or a flex-fence round pen. Wood offers a corral type of round pen that is sturdy and safe. Make sure the pen is built in a round manner, with no corners, to protect the horse and trainer from injury.