Round pen or arena?

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weebarney

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What can i do in a round pen that cant be done in a rectangle arena? I like the idea of having a round pen but dont fancy building one if i can do the same in an arena which i would like for sj in.
 
I wouldn't be without my round pen but I have to say I rarely use it however when I do need it, it's invaluable. I use it for youngsters when first starting them. I find in the confined area it's great for directional movements and especially when I first start training them to neck rein and its the perfect size for teaching them turns on the forehand or haunches. I probably only use my round pen 20 or 30 times every year (depending on how many youngsters I'm starting) but as I say I wouldn't want to be without it.
 
Spring Feather said:
I wouldn't be without my round pen but I have to say I rarely use it however when I do need it, it's invaluable. I use it for youngsters when first starting them. I find in the confined area it's great for directional movements and especially when I first start training them to neck rein and its the perfect size for teaching them turns on the forehand or haunches. I probably only use my round pen 20 or 30 times every year (depending on how many youngsters I'm starting) but as I say I wouldn't want to be without it.
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We had one at work (but no arena) and then we moved so now just have an arena. It is when you are first starting horse you miss it most IMO.
OP- Do you do a lot breaking? If not then I would jut go for an arena.
 
I have 2 round pens and an manege. I wouldn't be without the sand manege tbh, but the roundpens are invaluable and brilliant for loose work.

The first one is fixed, but my second one is made of 16 heras fence panels - I just added green netting to make the panels appear more solid and a wheel on one for opening and closing and turned all the rubber feet out. It's brilliant and cost around £200 in total.
 
This is the heras pen, I like the fact I can move it :)

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We have a round pen but no arena. Farriers and vets all ooh and aah at the round pen as it has a turning post in the middle. As said, very useful for training youngsters without having to bother with lines, if that's what you want. Also for loading practice. Do we need an arena? Plenty of space here if needed, so probably not.
 
Def arena, There isnt anything you can do in a round pen that you cant do in an arena and even if you wanted a smaller space in your arena you can set a temporary fence out.
I guess it depends on what You do with your horse too but always going in circles puts a lot of strain on the horses joints and for my horse would be useless.
 
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