How to Make Your Own Round Pen

Round pens are a useful tool for any horse owner. A round pen is a small, circular turnout that allows the horse to be worked freely without the use of a lunge line or long lead rope. Round pens are smaller than a typical arena and give your horse freedom of movement while keeping them from wandering away during work. Commercially produced round pens can cost hundreds of dollars, but making your own round pen is an acceptable and affordable alternative.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape
  • Marker flags
  • Sand
  • Rotary tiller
  • Gloves
  • 18 -- 10 foot long metal horse fence panels
  • 1 -- 10 foot gate panel
  • Metal panel connectors
  • Wrench
  • Shovel
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Instructions

    • 1

      Choose a flat, smooth area of ground for your round pen and measure it. A round pen with a diameter of 60 feet is a typical size, so measure a space of this diameter and mark the measurement with small marker flags. These markers can be purchased at any home improvement of hardware store.

    • 2

      Slip on gloves and prepare the footing for your round pen. Spread a 3-inch layer of sand over the area and work it into the soil with a rotary tiller. The sand helps to soften the existing ground and provide drainage to prevent puddles. Remove any large rocks or debris that could injure your horse as you work him in the round pen.

    • 3

      Erect your panels along the perimeter of your round pen space, leaving a gap in the area where your gate will be. Have a helper assist you in holding your panels upright as you construct your pen. Each panel will come with a set of metal connectors that sit between each panel and hold them together. Tighten the panel connector bolts with a wrench to keep them from breaking free if your horse runs into the fence.

    • 4

      Set your gate in the space you left for the gate, connecting it to the panel on each side with your final metal connectors. Open and close the gate, making sure it swings freely and does not catch on the ground. If it sticks, dig a little soil away from each side until the gate no longer catches.

    • 5

      Introduce your horse slowly to your new round pen. Some horses will become frightened at the smaller space of the round pen, so keep your horse fitted with a halter and lead as you walk around the pen. Once your horse is familiar with the pen, you can unclip the lead and allow the horse to explore the pen freely.