How to Make a Round Pen for Miniature Horses

A round pen is an enclosure used for training and holding horses and ponies. This structure makes training miniature horses much easier. A normal round pen is about 50 feet in diameter, but it can be built any size. Many styles of round pens can be built. However, wood is the safest option. Keep in mind that the round pen needs to be the height of the miniature horse's withers and have a gate.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape
  • Ceder fence boards
  • Bracing boards and stakes
  • Wood fence posts
  • Post-hole digger or auger
  • Nails
  • Hammer
  • Gravel or sand
  • Quick-drying concrete
  • Spray paint
  • High-quality outdoor paint
  • Power saw
  • Sander
  • Level
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Instructions

  1. Building

    • 1

      Decide on the width of the round pen. Level out an area and clear it of any grass, bushes, or weeds. Soak and compact the ground, to make good footing. Using spray paint, paint a line to use as a guide for the round pen.

    • 2

      Dig holes about three feet deep, every four feet around the circumference of the area. Put gravel or sand in the bottom of the holes. This helps with drainage.

    • 3

      Place posts in the holes. Pour quick-drying concrete around the posts. Tamp the concrete to remove air bubbles. Nail two bracing boards to each post. Nail a stake to each bracing board. Drive the stakes into the ground. This will keep the posts straight. Allow the posts to dry for 24 hours.

    • 4

      Soak ceder-fence boards in water until they are pliable. Starting from the bottom, nail the boards to the inside of the posts. Add two to four rows of boards, keeping the boards level.

    • 5

      Cut of the tops of posts carefully using a power saw. Be sure to cut all posts evenly for a neater look.

    • 6

      Sand all the rough edges on the inside of the pen. Paint the pen with a high-quality outdoor paint.