Equine Round Pen Training

Famous horse trainers like John Lyon advocate round pen training. Round pens form a logically round fenced-in area that somehow creates a magical place for horse and rider. John Lyon in "Connecting With Your Horse in the Round Pen" says "the reality is that there's no mystical connection with a horse in the round pen. A round pen is simply a corral without corners." With the right techniques and a bit of training, the horse and rider connect, establish leadership and form a bond.

  1. Tools

    • To train your horse by using round pen training techniques, you need only a 40- to 60-foot round pen made of wood, metal, or plastic, and a whip or stick to guide your horse. The whip or stick depends on the horse and your preferences; it is optional. Add sand or other footing to prevent your horse from slipping as it twists and turns around in the round pen. Instead of a round pen, a horse trainer can use a corral. The corners make it harder to achieve the desired results as the horse may get hung up in them.

    Training vs. Lunging

    • Round pen training and lunging serve different purposes. John Lyons describes the mystique of the round pen in that "round pen training does not involve running a horse around the pen until he's tired or he figures out that he gets to rest if he comes to stand by the trainer."

    Concepts

    • Different trainers use round pens differently. Two round pen training methods receive national acclaim. Monty Robert trademarked his Join-Up method. He states that "working in a round pen, one begins Join-Up by making large movements and noise as a predator would and begins driving the horse to run away. She then gives the horse the option to flee or Join-Up." This method focuses on the untrained horse though older horses may benefit. The John Lyons method utilizes a 20-step program. It focuses on establishing leadership. No matter which method you choose, the first step likely won't be in any training book. Dennis Brouse explains the very first step of round pen training in "Effective Round Pen Techniques." He says "introduce your horse to the round pen. Take the horse into the round pen, remove the halter and give the horse a few minutes to explore the round pen and get comfortable with it."

    Considerations

    • Round pen training isn't a cure-all. Lyons explains that "even though systematic training in the round pen has many benefits, it doesn't solve every problem. Working a horse in a round pen won't make him respond to the bridle better, because you're not using a bridle. It won't solve riding problems, since you're not riding." It does teach you how to communicate with your horse using body language, establish hierarchy and improves your horse's ground manners.

    Practical Uses

    • Round pens, when used consistently, serve as effective devices to enhance body language and communication between horse and rider, to build confidence in both young riders and horses, to train using John Lyons' round pen training program, to teach the Join-Up Method, to ride and to use as extra pasture. It makes a great place for beginner lessons and riding bareback.