Post by Admin on Jul 11, 2016 14:18:32 GMT -7
Round penning a horse should never be about tiring the horse out. It should be about creating focus and balance. Directing a horse in a circle around you gets his focus on you.
Turning a horse keeps him watching your body language. Round penning also builds muscle and balance. Since the horse is going in a circle, the horse has to be moving in sort of a bend. This takes more balance from the horse, than if he were just running in a straight line.
It builds flexibility by loosening up muscles. Round penning also builds muscle and keeps the horse strong and fit.
Some people will only round pen a horse to release energy. They'll saddle the horse up and before getting on, they'll round pen. They'll have the horse break in a sweat, pant, or show any other signs of work-out fatigue.
You shouldn't have to do that with a horse. Use the round pen as a useful tool to teach the horse to keep his attention on you, and to exercise the horse. You shouldn't use round penning to tire a horse out. Instead, use it as a convenient tool for gaining focus and building muscle.
Turning a horse keeps him watching your body language. Round penning also builds muscle and balance. Since the horse is going in a circle, the horse has to be moving in sort of a bend. This takes more balance from the horse, than if he were just running in a straight line.
It builds flexibility by loosening up muscles. Round penning also builds muscle and keeps the horse strong and fit.
Some people will only round pen a horse to release energy. They'll saddle the horse up and before getting on, they'll round pen. They'll have the horse break in a sweat, pant, or show any other signs of work-out fatigue.
You shouldn't have to do that with a horse. Use the round pen as a useful tool to teach the horse to keep his attention on you, and to exercise the horse. You shouldn't use round penning to tire a horse out. Instead, use it as a convenient tool for gaining focus and building muscle.