Round Pen Beginner Exercises

When training your horse in a round pen, there are several things you should keep in mind so both you and the horse get the ultimate benefit.

First, horses are known as “fight or flight” animals. So, if they ever get frightened, it’s likely they’ll choose to run instead of fight. After running for awhile, they’ll eventually get tired. A round pen is a great tool to use, as the horse will be able to move around without getting too far away from the horse owner. There are many methods of training a horse in a round pen – many of which can be trial and error – it’s best to find one that works well for both you and your horse.

The first time you train in the round pen, it’s important to give your horse time to become acquainted with the area. Some owners choose to let their horse live in the pen –  instead of their horse stall – for a few days before training begins. As long as the horse has access to food and water, this is a fine method to use.

One of the main ways to exercise your horse is to use a long whip or rope to lead the horse into a trot around the pen. The rope isn’t meant to hit the horse, but instead just to make a noise that will keep him moving. You can keep this going at an easy trotting pace instead of a run.

Another thing to master is getting the horse to accept the dominance of the horse owner. You can do this by getting your horse to walk a few laps, then instructing him to turn around and walk the other way. This can be done repeatedly until the horse’s sole attention is one you instead of looking outside the round pen.

Lastly, pressure is an important factor to consider while in the round pen. As a horse owner, you should know when to apply pressure and when to back down. Some common gestures that are used to show pressure are raising your hand, tossing the rope, or even just looking at your horse. These gestures usually cause a horse to speed up – by removing pressure, your horse will slow down or stop.

Keep in mind the above techniques as you’re training your horse in the round pen. Soon, your horse will recognize you as a leader and will properly follow your commands.