Ideas on cheap round pens, anybody?

[Triplell]

Hello,

I haven't had horses now for about 10 yrs. I made my own 80 ft round pen using 4 inch cedar logs that my dad had cut for me. Other wise I was gonna use some 4 inch or bigger trees that was given to me from a individual that just needed them cut down. He cut them and we halled them away. They truely only cost me was time. You could also use some tall polls with some very strong rope and weave it into a strong and visual barrier. I used one just like this more 3 yrs before I was able to build my new one out of the cedar. Good luck and hope all is well.

 

[GoldBarRanch]

So, I have to get a round pen for my horse....but I don't exactly have $500+ to just lay down for it. x) Does anybody have any ideas on how to make a super cheap round pen?

Thanks!

Just wondering if you have Craigslist out that way? Thats where we got ours for 100. We also got some 5 rails for 30. each panel and some chainlink panels Ive seen lots of used round pens of all sizes on there , But im in AZ

 

[BirdyMe]

Just wondering if you have Craigslist out that way? Thats where we got ours for 100. We also got some 5 rails for 30. each panel and some chainlink panels Ive seen lots of used round pens of all sizes on there , But im in AZ

Yes, I've been keeping an eye out on craigslist. There's just not many people out here getting rid of one.....maybe I should move to AZ? x)

Hello,
I haven't had horses now for about 10 yrs. I made my own 80 ft round pen using 4 inch cedar logs that my dad had cut for me. Other wise I was gonna use some 4 inch or bigger trees that was given to me from a individual that just needed them cut down. He cut them and we halled them away. They truely only cost me was time. You could also use some tall polls with some very strong rope and weave it into a strong and visual barrier. I used one just like this more 3 yrs before I was able to build my new one out of the cedar. Good luck and hope all is well.

That may be a direction we'll have to go. Technically, we have plenty of small cedars that need to be cut....both here and at the barn. I like the idea....not dangerous like t-post's would be...and sturdy.

 

[GoldBarRanch]

So, I have to get a round pen for my horse....but I don't exactly have $500+ to just lay down for it. x) Does anybody have any ideas on how to make a super cheap round pen?

Thanks!

I know where your coming from. Its harder to make something for a full size horse but we have miniature animals and here is what we did with some recycled wooded pallets and a old pool frame. The stalls will hold our mini horse and kidding pygmy goats but not the mini donkeys or billy goats lol We did use the metal frame as a temp round pen at one time for our mini horse, but now houses a tortiose and a duck. If it was good enough for the old west its good enough for me . Thinking outside the box can be great !
FIRST PICTURE OFF INTERNET NOT MINE BUT LOVE IT

 

[BirdyMe]

Ooo....I love the pallet idea....I don't know if that would hold up to a full size horse though?

Picture number three is cool! I love the idea- maybe not as a round pen, since the metal could be dangerous, but for housing rabbits and such it looks awesome!

 

[Triplell]

I wouldn't recomend using the pallets for a full size horse. The spacing is just the right size for their hooves and could cause panic. Not only that but you would need to make sure to use the hard wood pallets and they are hard to find.

 

[BirdyMe]

I wouldn't recomend using the pallets for a full size horse. The spacing is just the right size for their hooves and could cause panic. Not only that but you would need to make sure to use the hard wood pallets and they are hard to find.

Excellent, excellent point! Thank you for bringing that up!

 

[Oregon Blues]

For any here that don't know: absolute minimum diameter for a round pen for horses is 50 feet. 60 feet would be a lot better. Round pen training involves a lot of going around and round, often at a trot or lope. If the diameter of the pen is small, it puts additional strain on the inside legs. Effectively, in a small pen, your horse is doing non-stop tight corners.

I mention this because when money is tight, someone is going to figure out that a smaller pen is cheaper to build. It's not cheaper in the long run if it strains your horse's legs and cause leg issues.

 

[Triplell]

That is good advice. When I made mine 80 ft that is 80 ft from the center. This means that it is actually 160 ft accross. I made it extra large as we had a 17 hand horse and didn't want extra pressure on his legs. Not only that but it made a wonderfull holding area when we needed it. Generally the round pens are 120 ft accross or 60 ft from center.

 

[GoldBarRanch]

Ooo....I love the pallet idea....I don't know if that would hold up to a full size horse though?

Picture number three is cool! I love the idea- maybe not as a round pen, since the metal could be dangerous, but for housing rabbits and such it looks awesome!

Like I said this was for miniature horses and mini cows , I wouldnt recommend for any full size animal ever.