Size: You will need to decide on how you want to use your round pen as this will help you decide what size and strength you will need. Round pens can be a small as 30’ or over 100’ and can come in light weight or heavy duty. The most popular size would 60’ and used by most trainers. This size is popular because of the versatility allowing you to do lunge-lining, free lunging and round pen training. You can also do basic riding however; if you plan on doing a lot of riding in your pen, we suggest getting some extra panels to quickly adjust the size. Below you will find information to determine how many panels you will need. 

Height: Generally, round pen panels are available from 8 to 16 feet in length (12 foot is most common) and 48 to 72 inches high (60 inches being most common). The shorter the panel the lighter it will be allowing for easy setup, take down and moving. One thing to keep in mind with shorter panels is that there are more panels to attach making the process take longer to set up. Longer panels are quicker to set up as there are fewer panels to connect however; the added weight could make them difficult to move.  

Strength: The temperament of your horse and how you plan on using your pen will play a role in the strength you choose. Do you have quiet well broken horse? Will your pen be used to break young horses or keep cattle in from time to time? The size of the railings and the gauge of the steel used will determine the strength and durability. Our round pens are either from 1 ¾ (most common for horses) to 2 inches (usually used for cattle) in outer diameter; the greater the diameter, the stronger the rails. Gauge is a measurement in the thickness of the metal itself. The larger the gauge number the thinner the metal. Most round pens are constructed from 14 to 20-gauge steel.  

Finishes: Most round pens are made from steel or an alloy of steel and some other metal. Galvanized steel is the best for resisting corrosion and being the most maintenance free. Some people like colored round pens to match barns which is why our fabricator uses top of the line outdoor coating for long lasting color on the panels. Please keep in mind that both painted and galvanized panels will require attention to quickly treat any rust spots with rust resistant paint near welds and other irregular surfaces.