I am thinking about purchasing a portable round pen to use for horses who aren’t able to be turned out in a full-sized paddock and for days where we can’t do normal turnout. Curious to hear your thoughts on if the portable round pens are safe for this purpose and best sources. Thanks!
I local boarding barn in my area uses portable round pens for turn-out – for single horses in rehab or for quick turn-out while stalls are being cleaned, etc. — seems to be okay; panels are sturdy and the round shape prevents that ‘frisky horse slide stop’ into a corner – they just go round and round.
I’ve seen some round pen set-ups where one inch thick plywood has been installed around the base of the pen (2 feet high) as an added safety feature to prevent horse’s feet from going under the the bottom rung should the horse slip and fall or roll too close. And good ‘footing’ is also part and parcel to having a safe round pen. Sand seems to be preferred.
There are quite a few round pen manufacturing companies that will ship panels to you – simple google search will bring them up – best source IMO is the company closest to you so you can save in shipping costs.
Getting a walk-through gate is also a plus for easy in-out – but they are usually built with a bar across the top (holds the gate together) that is a bit on the low side. Really tall horses often balk at going through; they think they’ll hit their heads.
We and just about everybody I know use Porta-Paddock panels which come in 8’, 10’ and 12’ lengths. They come in different “strengths”. But the reasonably priced ones that can be had at Tractor Supply or places of the like work just fine. They are a bit “light weight” and can be bent by a frisky horse.
The pen is easy enough to move each day so the grass doesn’t get mashed, grazed into a mud pit.
IMO every farm should have a set up. There are plenty of other uses for them beside a “pen”. Qick fix of broken fence section, Fasten to the sides of a trailer to create a shoot when trailer schooling. Keeps the horse from being able to swing out to the side of the ramp etc.
Agree with the above, panels are great to have, very portable and it is easy to add panels or take them away to change the size.
If the pen will be stationary/permanent, give thought to the footing, and price a wood fence, and an electric tape fence for comparison.
ETA… 60 ft is approx 20 meters and the smallest I would make a turnout for a healthy horse. Ponies, and injured animals may need smaller pens.
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Priefer makes a nice round penl. Mine has been up and out in the elements for more than 20 years and it’s still in excellent condition.
