Free Round Pen Training Tips

Round penning can be an effective way to teach a horse to listen to and respect the trainer's voice and body signals. Because the training area is circular, the horse cannot become trapped or cornered which may lead to anxiety. It also means the horse has no way to evade the handler's commands. A few tips can make your round-pen training more effective.

  1. Safety

    • Although round penning is done on the ground rather than mounted, it is advisable to wear a safety helmet. To work properly, round pens allow limited space between trainer and horse. In the event the horse bucks or kicks out at the trainer in frustration or fear, a helmet offers some head protection. Never turn your back on the horse in the round pen. Because the horse is at liberty with no physical restraints, it can change direction or cut across the pen very quickly if excited, possibly running into the trainer.

    Consistency

    • When training a horse in the round pen, keep your cues consistent not only during the session but from session to session. Horses learn by repetition and this will allow the horse to learn and understand both verbal cues as well as body language. It will help the horse to trust you and what you are asking it to do because it knows that it will be asked the same way every time.

    Desensitizing

    • A round pen is a good place to work on desensitizing horses to objects that they may find frightening but that they will often have to work around on a regular basis. Desensitizing the horse in the round pen works well because the trainer does not have to worry about trying to hold a nervous horse on a lead rope or staying in the saddle while the horse becomes accustomed to the frightening object. Plastic bags can be tied to the end of a dressage whip and slowly waved, or tarps can be placed on the ground and left alone with the horse.

    Pressure Release

    • Whether you are asking the horse to move forward, halt, or change directions, as soon as the animal responds, release the pressure that you used to ask for the movement. Depending on what you are doing, releasing the pressure may mean dropping the whip to your side, cessation of clucking, stepping away from the animal or simply standing still in the center of the round pen. Releasing the pressure is a reward for the horse and lets it know that it made the correct movement.