Round pen training is a part of Spring

The Equestrian World® 60' Covered Round Pen Training Kit. Made of fifteen 6' tall by 12' wide corral panels that have been finished with powder over e-coat for maximum corrosion resistance, these panels feature straight end-posts, chain latch hook-up with special Stay-tite cup design, and exterior side bracing. Opaque panel covers help the horse avoid distractions. Each nylon cover attaches to the corral panels with industrial-strength Velcro® to provide a flap-free enclosure. Available through Southern States stores.

(100-00107) 15 panels (100-04855) 1 walk-thru (100-00964) 15 covers Available at Southern States

Google up "round pen" and a couple million responses flood into your computer monitor. The term "round pen" has been around for most of the last hundred years or so and is still very much in the bag of tricks of legends like Parelli, Brannaman, Midkiff, Monty Roberts and John Lyons. Although there are as many theories about how to effectively use a round pen as there are trainers, the fact is that a round pen can be a highly effective training tool. A key benefit of a 40', 50' or 60' round pen is that the round shape allows the animal to be driven in a circle and allows visual contact between the horse and the trainer.

The round pen is used by many not just as a part of the initial training routine for a young horse, but for mature horses who have been out to pasture long enough to need some reinforcement and some redirection. Spring is often the time when round pens get set up and old horses are taught to remember old tricks.

To avoid distraction, major farms, particularly those in Thoroughbred country, erect permanent round pens, some with covers, costing $80,000 and up. Portable round pens, usually made from tubular corral panels, provide the enclosure needed to longe a horse, but aren't structurally capable of shielding out distraction.

That last statement was true until Equestrian World^® introduced its 60' Round Pen with Corral Panel Covers. This new product provides a breeze-through mesh cover that hooks to the company's 6' tall by 12' wide corral panels. The opaque panel covers virtually eliminate distraction, yet the perforated mesh allows air to glide through. The complete kit provides 15 panels 6' tall, 15 covers and a 6' wide by 9' high arched gate that allows opening and closing while mounted. The Equestrian World Round Pen with Corral Panel Covers is now available through Southern States stores.