Pens

Training horses is a major investment both in time and facilities. It is critical that your animal be safe, comfortable and secure in its surroundings in order for the training experience to be the most effective. Round Pens were originally designed to provide both the horse and trainer the safest possible environment.

A round pen can be constructed out of almost any type of paneling or fencing material and can have various different surfaces. This article will compare several different options available in New Zealand both in the round pen construction and the surface.

The usual size of a round pen is 15-20 metres in diameter with the height varying between 1.2 - 1.8 metres. A 15metre diameter pen would allow you to work a horse at a walk, and trot - but probably not at a canter, unless the horse was compact, balanced, experienced, and well-trained... and it would definitely NOT be the place to introduce a horse to the idea of cantering under a rider. An 18metre round pen would be a good MINIMUM size of circle for any horse at the start of its training. Since horses don't usually work up against the side of the pen, but on a track to the inside of the pen wall, it is suggested that any round pen used for riding be at least 20m in diameter. If you're going to do a lot of cantering in the pen, it wouldn't hurt to make it even larger. The size of the pen needs to correspond to the sort of work you plan to do in it.

It is important to have your round pen constructed to the same standards as any riding arena. A good drainage system is possibly the most important option in the design of your round pen and is often an option that is overlooked. Choosing an experienced contractor that will design and build your round pen for you will save you in the future both in time and investment. Graham Ralph, a contractor with many years, arena's and round pen's of experience says, "An unsuitable base and drainage causes the surface to 'Plug Up' which in-turn will result in clay coming through. This will cause the surface to become slippery, dangerous and unrideable."

The approximate cost associated with having the round pen base correctly layed with good drainage and a base that will give you optimum return is approximately $10,000 (including materials).

Horse Rail Fencing Round Pen: Horserail is an innovative Horse Safe Fencing System that combines the patented Horserail technology with premium industrial grade copolymers and a flexible super strong core, significantly reducing installation costs and time. This Coated Rail and Wire Fence system is ideal for Round Pens and Arenas, it is easy to put up and can be moved with no trouble. Horserail is impact resistant won't break, splinter or warp. It is maintenance free with NO painting required and is available in three colors designed to blend or contrast with your farm's color schemes.

Horserail's smooth surface is designed to flex and slide so that if a horse is to run into, hit, kick or put a leg thru the fence then Horserail will bend and flex so that animal will be uninjured. If configured correctly it will act as a 'sling-shot' forcing the horse back from where it was coming without injury. Horserail has also developed as special conductive plastic coated wire. The costing of this system (excluding base/drainage) will range between $1850 and $5000 depending on the size and height. I would like to point out that this system is very easy to install.