| Sometimes you get so excited about working on a | | | | resembles a layered cake. By sloping your base layer, |
| project that you forget about the fundamentals and | | | | adding mixtures of coarse gravel, stone dust and |
| inevitably find out halfway through the project that you | | | | landscaping cloth (if desired), you will build up a layered |
| forgot to do something basic. | | | | sub-base and base that will provide excellent drainage. |
| Building a horse round pen is no different - there are | | | | While this is a lot of work up front, the benefits will pay |
| fundamental steps to follow to make sure you build a | | | | off over time. |
| safe, secure and long-lasting roundpen for your equine | | | | The icing on this layered cake is the footing. |
| friends. Let's look at one of the fundamentals | | | | Remember, the footing is what provides the support |
| necessary for a quality-built round pen: your round pen | | | | for your horse and also adds to the safety factor. This |
| base and footing. | | | | final layer will vary depending on your climate and |
| One of the first steps is to make sure that you have a | | | | conditions. Some of your footing options are: sand, |
| layered base and level ground. Why is this so | | | | wood mulch, or shredded rubber. You can also use a |
| important? Well, for starters any structure will last | | | | combination of sand and shredded rubber, for |
| longer when it is properly leveled and constructed. | | | | example. |
| Secondly, a well designed base provides the | | | | Depending on the material you use, you may need to |
| necessary drainage. You don't want to go outside | | | | replace it every so often as well. When you |
| after a heavy rainstorm and find that you have a nice, | | | | experience your first rain or storm, some of your |
| new round pen pond! | | | | footing will inevitably seep into your base layer. Keep |
| If you are extremely lucky, you will have a level piece | | | | this in mind when you are purchasing your footing - |
| of ground to work with and a sand base. | | | | you'll likely need to order approximately 10 - 25% extra |
| Unfortunately, for the other 99% of us out there, we'll | | | | depending on the footing type and your climate |
| have to work with what we have and make it suitable! | | | | conditions. |
| There are several methods to leveling the ground and | | | | So remember, when you start your round pen project, |
| providing the proper drainage with suitable footing. | | | | build from the bottom - up and you'll be on your way |
| These vary depending on budget and amount of work | | | | to a safe and long-lasting horse round pen. |
| you want to put into it. | | | | © 2006 E. |
| A properly constructed round pen base and footing | | | | |