How Big Should a Horse Round Pen Be? Size, Wall Height, and Footing

Oregon State University Extension calls a 60 foot diameter a good size for a round pen and names 35 feet as the small end. The same guide says a round pen should have walls 6 feet high and all-weather footing.

A round pen is a small circular enclosure, and Oregon State describes it as "highly useful for training and longeing, as well as providing a place to turn a horse out." Horse Forum has a thread on the different kinds of round pens people build.

What is the average round pen size?

The guide's exact words are: "A 60-foot diameter is a good size, although it can be as small as 35 feet depending on its main use." The range is tied to what the pen will be used for.

Round pen size chart

This chart lists the round pen figures used on this page, with the guide each one comes from.

Round pen calculator

Two numbers from the diameter help you plan a pen. Both come from plain geometry.

Circumference is pi (3.1416) times the diameter. It is the distance around the pen, so it is the length of wall or panel line you need. To estimate how many fence panels that takes, divide the circumference by the length of one panel and round up.

Area is pi times the radius times the radius, and the radius is half the diameter. Area is the floor space inside the pen. Doubling the diameter multiplies the area by four, while the fence only doubles.

Average horse pen size for riding arenas

For riding arenas, Oregon State lists "standard guidelines" by activity.

The guide adds that all arenas should be well drained, and that "A 6-foot fence is helpful."

Wall height and fencing

Oregon State says a round pen should have walls 6 feet high. It also says "Generally, the smaller the area, the sturdier the fence needs to be." To help horses see the fence, it says to "Mark fences with white plastic or cloth strips to improve visibility, particularly when you add new horses." On upkeep: "Check fences often for needed upkeep. Don’t neglect repairs until the horse escapes or is injured."

For paddock and pasture fences, Penn State Extension says "Horse fences should be 54 to 60 inches above ground level" and that "Larger horses, stallions, or those adept at jumping may require even taller fences." Those are fences for paddocks and pastures; the round pen wall figure is the 6 feet from Oregon State.

Oregon State warns: "Avoid using barbed wire if at all possible; it is extremely hazardous to horses." For gates, it gives a minimum width of 4 feet for horses and says a gate should hang a minimum of 6 inches above the ground. It says "The safest gates have a secure fastening, swing both directions and are easy to operate with one hand." It does not recommend channel steel or aluminum gates, because "These bend and break easily, leaving razor-sharp edges." For the barn side of the same safety question, see our piece on how barn design shapes horse safety and daily care.

Round pen footing

Oregon State asks for all-weather footing in a round pen. Penn State Extension's guide to riding arena footing explains the materials most surfaces are made from, and the notes below come from it.

On sand, Penn State says: "Be careful to apply the proper depth of sand. With its deep, loose traction, sand deeper than 6 inches is stressful to horse tendons. Start with about 2 inches and add a ½ inch at a time as necessary." It also says sand "dries out fairly rapidly since it drains well, so frequent watering is essential."

The hoof matters too. Penn State says "sand, stonedust, and other sharply angular, aggregate materials can be abrasive to the hoof wall," while wood products and shredded leather are relatively nonabrasive, so horses "may remain unshod if their primary riding area is in this type of footing." Penn State says stonedust "will be almost as hard as concrete if allowed to compact and dry" and "is extremely dusty if not kept constantly moist throughout the entire depth of footing."

Penn State also says "Angular sand provides better stability than rounded sand particles, which behave similar to millions of ball bearings underfoot." For a base under the footing, it names crushed stone as "the product most useful as a compactable base material," with particles "usually no larger than ¼ inch; any larger can bruise a horse's hoof." To keep the surface even, it advises: "Water the arena to keep the footing evenly moist to a 3-inch depth."

Horses of different sizes and ages

Horses vary a great deal in height. Britannica describes the Welsh pony as a breed of small horse, about 12 hands (48 inches, or 122 cm) tall.

The University of Missouri Extension longe line guide says longeing "can be started after weaning, but be careful not to let a young horse hurt itself by being jerked off-balance on a longe line." It adds that "weanlings and yearlings usually are not allowed to canter on longe lines." If you plan to train up or do groundwork with a young horse, The Spruce Pets has a page on what you can train a foal.

Older horses can feel the stress of round pen work in their joints and ligaments.

Using a round pen for longeing and groundwork

The Missouri guide defines longeing as "a procedure in which the horse travels in a large circle around the handler on a long strap or line." Of starting a horse, it says: "Start the horse in a small pen from which it can't escape."

It also says "If the ground is slick, longeing should be avoided or restricted to older, better trained horses." Our list of horse training books goes further into training once the pen is built.

First longeing lessons in the pen

Missouri Extension lists the equipment: "a halter (or longeing cavesson), whip, longe line and halter shank." It says "Use web or nylon longe lines as they are lighter and stronger than rope and leather lines."

Before a horse is longed, the guide says "they should be taught to lead from either side, and to stop, stand, and back." It also says "Although some trainers prefer to work alone, most beginners find an experienced person helpful in starting the horse in training," and that the assistant works from the opposite side of the trainer with a halter shank. Missouri adds that "Most trainers prefer to start circling to the left, which allows them to handle the whip in the right hand."

Many horses favor one direction. The guide says to "Work the weaker side more than the stronger side until the horse will longe in both directions in good form," and to be patient when the horse is frustrated by a change of direction.

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FAQs

What is a longe line?

Missouri Extension describes longeing as a procedure in which the horse travels in a large circle around the handler on a long strap or line. It is useful for training young horses and for exercising others.

How long should a longeing lesson last?

The Missouri guide says to keep lessons short, at 15 to 20 minutes, and to stop on a positive note.

How wide should a round pen gate be?

Oregon State gives a minimum gate width of 4 feet for horses. A gate that also has to admit equipment needs to be wider, and the guide says usually at least 12 feet for gates into pastures or buildings.

Can a young horse canter on a longe line?

Missouri Extension says weanlings and yearlings usually are not allowed to canter on longe lines. The guide says you can jerk a horse too quickly and possibly cause it to sprain a leg or fall, and that for this reason they usually do not canter.

Sources

• Oregon State University Extension, 4-H 130 4-H Horse Project
• Penn State Extension, Riding Arena Footing Material Selection and Management
• Penn State Extension, Fence Planning for Horses
• University of Missouri Extension, Longe Line Training (G2861)
• Britannica, Welsh pony