Electric round pen?

[arlosmine]

Really, OP…this is one of those situations where going “convenient and cheap” is just not worth the risk. Everything will be fine until its not, and then it will very likely be an epic disaster.

Look around at really good quality programs and facilities. Do you see round pens made out of hot tape? Don’t you think you’d see them if it was such a great idea? What you see instead at the BEST colt starting facilities are solid walled, 60-70’ wide, 10’ tall structures that can hold a small elephant. When the shit hits the fan (or the panicked colt hits the wall), that’s what you want. If you can’t have that you do the closest thing you can…like a nice pen made out powder river panels, with plywood attached, so no legs can get hung up.

Wire or tape of any kind is not used by knowledgeable horsepeople. For good reason. Chalk it up to “it sounded like a good idea until I thought it through”, and move on.

[Cindyg]

[QUOTE=painted.darling;7678741]
They know what electric fence is and have a healthy respect for it. Not fear, respect. [/QUOTE]

What does this even mean? We don’t touch electric fence because we know it will hurt! Is that respect or fear? Whatever. I know it won’t kill me to touch it, but I’m afraid to touch it!

@painted.darling;7678741

I personally love using the round pen. It works his wind and keeps him focused on me, teaches him to bend and flex and work at liberty.

I love using the round pen too. To me it’s just a contained place to focus.

But from what you said there, I’m picture him racing around it, snorting and blowing. That’s not training; it’s an accident waiting to happen. I doubt very much he is flexing and bending properly while racing around the round pen.

Just be careful.

[Mosey_2003]

If you were just using it as a smaller turnout it would be fine. But it’s a horrible idea for working a horse, especially a young horse. And most especially a young horse with no previous training. It’s either gonna get shocked and be scared to do anything or it’s gonna bust right on out and you’ll have taught him that he can bust out of containment. Bad idea.

[painted.darling]

Sorry I had a typo! Theres no way I’m putting my colt to work in the round pen! He’s not done growing! I meant this as in a larger, older horse has to use his hind end, not “wind” Now my horses are in no way THAT scared of the electric fence. We have several spots around the fence that pops and crackles and they pay no mind. This may also be because they’ve been in the same kind of fence for 12+ years. Our area for the horses is also electric wire. As for fencing in the round pen, the type of fence is called PolyTape. It’s not polywire but 1-2 inch flat pieces of white tape. I use it as more of a visual. Our animals have never seen polytape, only hot wire. The fence is also off when they are in it. My mare will lay her nose right on it, but then again she’s pretty experienced and doesn’t mind keeping close to me. She’s in no hurry to escape. And like I said, the polytape fence is just for my adult horses until I can get some panels collected. No need to be rude about it all. Just some misunderstandings.

[bugsynskeeter]

As someone who has worked her fair share of weanlings and yearlings, there is no way on God’s green earth I would go near this. I’ve seen plenty of young horses try to jump out of round pens (with 6 ft solid sides). This is just a disaster waiting to happen.

[painted.darling]

Also, when the horses are inside, they do NOT run wildly around snorting and blowing. They focus on me and pay no mind to the fence. I may have to put a video up because they really don’t act the way everyone is saying.

[Appsolute]

Well OP- you asked what people’s experience was with hot tape round pens and you got an unanimous “no”. If you want to keep using it, that is up to you, but I don’t think you are going to get the approval you are looking for here.

Personally, I prefer a lunge line (or long lines) to a round pen. I can ask for bend on a lunge line, I can meter stride length, ask for collection etc.

[LauraKY]

Typical. Someone posts asking for advice, discounts all advice and want to prove everyone wrong.

[Mosey_2003]

I know what you mean by polytape. Even for the adult horses, I wouldn’t do it. If something happens and they spook they’re going to take that fence with them and could do some real damage to themselves. I’m not being rude, I’m trying to save you trouble.

[Drive_NJ]

Funny/stupid story with electrobraid

We were doing a demo at a local town emergency people “night out” and wanted some sort of fence between the horse and the kids more as a visual line than anything else. We have found kids are sometimes more comfortable if the horse is behind something.

We were planning on borrowing some pvc panels a friend uses, but the BO said she had something that would work. The horse is quiet, LOVES kids and has done this before. we/he talk about fire safety since he is a fire survivor who

• got out and stayed out (jumped out his stall window)
• stop dropped and rolled (left on fire, came back not on fire)
• went to firemen for help (well barn help amongst firemen, but that counts)

Also a bunch of other messages learned from this fire AND that he’s survived, is a sweetie and still handsome despite his burns etc.

Anyway we arrive and the BO pulls out T posts and some tape (we have electric on top of the fence in one field, but we didn’t recognize this as electric tape).

So there I am trying to get him to walk over to the fence and he’s telling me “NOOOOOOO… can’t do” and was getting agitated. Then the lightbulb went off and I realized he thought I was asking him to approach that fence and reach over it to the kids. Took down the fence and ended the problems.

As they say on that cat caption site “stoopy peoples”

Even for your well trained horse I wouldn’t want to use the electric fence tape off or on. Off teaches them it’s no big deal and OK to get close to. On teaches them a little mistake gets you zapped.

[Preposterous_Ponies]

Absolutely not. I would not work my “calmest horse I’ve ever met, hasn’t ever spooked, ridden by three year olds, Honey Badger level of not caring” horse in a roundpen with electric fence. I don’t care how well behaved the horse is, there’s no damn way.

As turnout? Maybe, but even then it’s a bit small. To work in any way shape or form? No, no, no.

[painted.darling]

Well now that I’ve read everyone’s comments I guess I need to kick it up a notch looking for panels. Unfortunately here panels are an outrageous price, like $280+ for ONE. I may have to broaden my search maybe even have them shipped. I appreciate everyones feedback, even if some of you’s got a little rude. All in good safety right? It may work now but not later and I understand that. I guess I came off a little territorial. Thanks everyone!

[Preposterous_Ponies]

You can make a safe round pen out of old shipping pallets, which you can often get for free. Google “round pen out of pallets”.

[trailpal]

It might be safe enough for the older been there done that types, but pallet wood is not all that strong and a youngster, who will of course be making mistakes, will most likely run into it a few times, at least. When that pallet wood breaks, it’s splintery and makes sharp pointy bits. For that matter, an upset been there done that type can also burst through and get injured. Your vet bills will probably more than pay for panels.

Check the rural Craigs listings for used panels. They don’t have to match but they have to be safe. Cattle panels are heavier and stronger than horse panels, but horse panels are plenty safe.

My first 20 years of working with horses, we never used a round pen, we used single lounge lines and double driving lines and had well trained horses. If you can’t do a safe RP, don’t do one.

[SportArab]

No way I would even consider doing this.

And, btw, I’ve started many horses over the years - never once used a round pen.

[Chachie]

FWIW I rode a horse in one when i went to go look at him. Ring was flooded so owners set up a temporary ring/round pen. Horse knew it was electric even though it was off. Had a hard time getting him to bend around my leg in it. So we hacked out in the only somewhat dry area and that was where they were clearing trees. He moved fine then and we used the stumps as things to bend around lol
I use polytape as a second fence and I love it because it has good visibility especially with orange safety ribbons everywhere lol but I would not ever think of using it as a visual barrier for a round pen.
There are all sorts of solutions to making a round pen, even using trees or railroad ties, which you can also get for free. Telephone poles are another one. I won’t use use tube panels because of the possibility of getting hung up on one but other Cothers use them with no issues. Maybe ask others for their homemade round pen ideas?

[Cindyg]

[QUOTE=painted.darling;7680017]
Sorry I had a typo!..I meant this as in a larger, older horse has to use his hind end, not “wind” [/QUOTE]

Thanks for the clarification. That is a big difference!

But let me second the suggestion for long lining or two lunge lines. The one on the outside works almost like the round pen wall. You build up slowly, but it is remarkably effective.

[Holistic_Hooves]

I have had great sucess using electric round pens. I just turn off the electric when in use

[Holistic_Hooves]

I know many people who use electric tape (not hot) as a barrier for a round pen, and it works beautifully. If they do knock it down it is easily fixed and low risk for serious injury. Unlike panels.