Round Pen Exercises for a Horse

Training Tips

• Horses are "flight or fight" prey animals. When frightened, they tend to choose the flight over the fight. Since running is their primary defense, horses want to conserve energy whenever possible in case they need to flee a predator. When a horse starts to get tired, he is much more open to suggestion. A round pen allows you to make a horse move or run without his getting too far away from you. After a little while, when he realizes you are going to keep him moving, he will start to look for other ways of negotiating. It is much easier to train a horse in this state of mind.

  To put this practice into action, bring the horse into the round pen with or without tack. Using a longe whip or rope, push the horse into a trot around the pen. Do not hit him with the whip or the rope; just showing it to him or making a noise with it are often enough to get him moving. Keep him at a trot, as you want to encourage the horse to look for an alternative to running. With a horse that works regularly, this will take only a few minutes. With a horse that is not handled very often or has been cooped up, this work may take longer.

  You will know the horse is ready to begin instruction when he tries to slow down and you see him licking and chewing. At this point, ask the horse to stop with your voice and by getting in front of him. If he stops, give him a pat. If he doesn't, send him back out around the pen at a trot. When you can make the horse halt, ask him to walk forward. If he does, praise him. If he takes off running, send him on again until he tries to slow and starts chewing. Continue this basic plan, instructing the horse to walk, trot and canter on command. When you begin riding, the horse will already know what these words mean, making it much simpler to move him forward.