Working Behind A Cover
Some people who work with young horses prefer solid walls on a roundpen to minimize distractions. If you like solid walls, but want a portable roundpen, Tarter Gate, maker of Equestrian World corral panels and gates, makes mesh fabric covers that stretch over their 6- x 12-foot corral panels and attach with hook and loop fasteners. They are available for around $50 each through farm supply stores that sell Equestrian World corral panels and gates. See www.tartergate.com or call 800-REDGATE.
You can stand still in the center of the pen and slow the horse's gait from a canter to a trot and even to a walk simply by lowering your arms, your energy level and averting your eyes. If you then stand quietly and turn your back to the horse (but keeping it in your peripheral vision, of course) don't be surprised if the horse walks up and stands behind you. It's a great moment when that happens and you should turn slowly and, keeping your body energy down, gently stroke the horse to say "Thank you." That kind of connection is what roundpenning is all about.
Bottom Line
It's important to remember that in the roundpen the horse is captive. The handler must know when to put pressure on and when to take it off. And pressure must be removed quickly when the horse responds by doing the right thing. Of all the things to learn about how to be effective in the roundpen, that is probably the hardest. You want to be fair to the horse and learn to recognize when it makes the slightest attempt to do what you want it to do. What you don't want to do is drive the horse into the ground. If you learn the techniques and do it right you will have a horse that recognizes you as the leader and will be willing to follow your commands.
