How to Train in a Round Pen

Round pen training is a necessary step in training most young or green horses. Round pen work can be used to teach a horse to respond to the commands of the trainer, to work on proper bending and to relieve excess energy. Many popular clinicians of the last several decades have strongly advocated round pen training as a way for riders/trainers to bond with the equine they are working with and to develop skills they can use outside the round pen.

Things You'll Need

  • Round pen
  • Halter
  • Lunge whip
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Instructions

    • 1

      Plan your round pen lesson. Anytime you are attempting to train a horse, you need to have a specific goal or task in mind for the lesson, much as you would with a child. If the task is complicated, you should be prepared to break it down into steps. Common reasons for working in the round pen are to work on bending, responsiveness, head carraige or densensitzation. Exercising a horse to let off excess energy prior to a ride or lesson is also common.

    • 2

      Clean the round pen. Clear it of potential hazards and the make sure the footing is in good condition. Round pens need to be in good condition before you attempt to bring a horse in and train in it. Place any equipment you are planning on using in the round pen, because you do not want to be frequently walking in and out of the pen to get it.

    • 3

      Lead your horse into the round pen and get its attention. Allow the horse to sniff you and generally familiarize himself with his surroundings. Direct the horse to the edge of the round pen with the lunge whip. Encourage him to walk and trot several laps in each direction for five to 10 minutes in order to warm up.

    • 4

      Put your horse through his paces, working on whatever training goal you have set for the day. For example, if your goal is to get the horse to respond to your cues to stop and go, you will work on these commands. Limit round pen activities to short lessons, especially with younger horses. Round pen work is highly active and gives horses a good work out. Reward your horse with verbal praise when he is successful at the task you have set for him.

    • 5

      Walk your horse several more laps around the pen to cool down after the work out. Remove horse from round pen.