A Round Pen Design Variation -I t's Portable As Well!

by Roger Baton
(Lexington, Kentucky)

I acquired a 2 year old Tennessee Walker Gelding from a friend that had too many horses. Of course, he had been running wild with very little human contact so when I got him he was and still is a handful.


I am limited on funds to purchase a round pen to begin training him and have mulled over in my mind just how I might build my own. I like your idea very much and am going to follow the pattern you have. What a great idea and very economical!


My idea was to use the steel field posts (kind of sharp and dangerous on their own) but slide a galvanized post used for chain link fencing over each field post to conceal them.


I was going to then put the finish top caps on each post and run the top bar used for chain link fencing through each top cap for the top rail and then use your idea of the braid as you did on your round pen and then for the gate just buy a chain link gate with hinge brackets. The field post would not have to be cemented in, saving time there, and the galvanized posts slid over them would give the pen a finished, smooth look.


The one thing I think about by way of difference between your round pen and my idea is that the pen could be dismantled if need be to move it to another location or if I just didn't want it or need it anymore. I may have to do some pricing for these items for my round pen idea and believe mine may cost a bit more than yours did and that's why I like your do-it-yourself round pen so much.


Anyway, that was my "do-it-yourself" round pen idea. Just thought I'd share that. Thanks for the great, economical idea!

Roger Baton
Lexington, Kentucky