| In recent years, "natural" horsemanship trainers have | | | | flight response. |
| brought round pen training into forefront when it comes | | | | Round pens allow the horse to mentally escape from |
| to training horses. This type of training employs the | | | | the pressure of the human, giving them time to think |
| round pen to build a basic foundation or to re-train an | | | | over what response they should be giving. If the |
| older horse instead of using traditional methods. | | | | handler were to use a lounge line in a pasture or arena, |
| What's the basis of this type of training? Well, round | | | | the scene often appears to be a struggle, while in |
| pen training is actually derived from behavior | | | | reality, the horse is simply trying the flee. |
| modification principles used in training any type of | | | | The design of the round pen is yet another advantage |
| animal, including horses. On a side note, these | | | | in that it maximizes the horse's thinking capacity. There |
| techniques also work with people. | | | | are no corners for the horse to "hide" in which limits his |
| Round Pen training uses rewards in the form of body | | | | options for controlling the situation. This focuses the |
| language that mimic the horse's natural herd instincts to | | | | horse's behavior on the trainer. |
| encourage the desired behavior. Results are usually | | | | By having enough room to move away (flee) and think |
| seen very quickly and a strong bond is often formed | | | | about what is being asked, the horse will learn that |
| between horse and human through these training | | | | cooperating with people is the easier decision to make. |
| methods. | | | | The trainer must keep in mind, however, that there |
| A study at Michigan State University shows that by | | | | should be specific lesson plans for each session since |
| the seventh training session in a round pen, horses | | | | mindless running of laps will actually give the horse time |
| react with a predictable response in as little as six | | | | to "tune out" the human. |
| repetitions rather than the 60 it took in the first session | | | | Using round pen training with a calm focused plan, can |
| (Nielson, B & A. Zanella). Once the behavior is learned, | | | | afford a trainer and horse a safe environment for |
| it is embedded for life as long as the horse receives | | | | establishing a line of clear communication. Of course, |
| the same consistent human responses. | | | | every horse is different, but round pen training |
| Round pen training is an invaluable tool to teach a basic | | | | consistently produces positive results in a relatively |
| education for beginning horses or remedial work for | | | | short amount of time. |
| older horses. | | | | Learning the appropriate techniques and working your |
| Horses have a natural instinct called "fight or flight". | | | | horse in a properly built round pen are the keys to fast |
| Using a round pen, a handler can avoid the dangers of | | | | results and long term success. |
| the fight response and maximize the benefits of the | | | | |