| I recently read an article written by someone not | | | | There is a lot of responsibility that goes with the |
| very versed in the usage of a round pen and the | | | | lead horse position and most horses are more |
| mind of the horse. There are several different | | | | than happy to have someone else deal with it. At |
| applications for the round pen in a horses' training. | | | | this point the horse settles down and begins to |
| For me the round pen provides a safe classroom | | | | understand that I am trying to communicate my |
| to begin all horses on a line of respect, | | | | desires to them. They start looking to me to see |
| communication, and trust. | | | | what it is they should do next and each time an |
| Safety is a huge benefit of the round pen for | | | | exercise is completed and they come out |
| starting a new horse. I can work with the horse | | | | unharmed, their trust grows. |
| and not be attached to a panicky 1500 pound | | | | Now, this is an awesome responsibility for me for |
| animal and they are free to 'leave' if they feel too | | | | it is at this time the horse can really grow |
| much pressure. Being round keeps them from | | | | mentally and emotionally or I can lose it all in a |
| getting into a corner and then trying to climb out | | | | few easy mistakes. It can be a delicate situation |
| or getting hurt trying to run through the fence. | | | | to determine if a response from the horse is |
| If the horse does not respect you, you will not go | | | | defiance or fear. If I react to a response of fear |
| far in his training. Respect has to be earned, don't | | | | to strongly I will lose some of the trust from the |
| confuse it with fear which is a debilitating emotion. | | | | horse and cause confusion. If the horse is not |
| That first day the horse knows nothing about me | | | | corrected for defiant behavior they will become |
| good or bad, and could really care less about the | | | | more difficult to work with. The round pen offers |
| requests I make of it. The round pen allows me | | | | the perfect environment for me to learn how |
| to set up lessons that build on one another | | | | each horse thinks and responds to pressure. |
| starting with the horse learning first off that I will | | | | When used correctly the round pen is a priceless |
| be assuming lead horse position. | | | | tool for working a horse and I only covered the |
| When two bodies occupy a space one will lead, | | | | first weeks of training. There are times later in |
| like it or not and I have found horses make | | | | training where we go back to the round pen to |
| dangerous leaders for humans. Bit by bit the | | | | work under saddle as well. However, just like a |
| horse begins to respect me as I lead it through | | | | bit, saddle, rope, whip or any other tool, if it is |
| lessons that get into the horses' mind and do not | | | | used incorrectly it can do harm to the horse |
| harm him. | | | | physically, mentally as well as emotionally. It is not |
| As time progresses the horse accepts my | | | | the tool that is at fault, it is the uneducated |
| position and even happily gives the burden to me. | | | | person. |