How big is your round pen/How big should a round pen be?

I'm just wondering how big most round pens are. The one where I am currently boarding is only maybe about 15 feet in diameter max, maybe a bit smaller, and it just doesn't seem big enough. My horse actually gets anxiety in it if I try to move him faster than a jog and he just HUGS that rail grits his teeth, pins his ears and then he will eventually just stop and look at me like I'm crazy. He did attempt to canter a couple of times the first time he was in there and he hit his legs on the rail and I think that's what started the anxiety. He has no problem lunging w/t/c in the arena however. My BO says my horse is pulling one over on me, but I am thinking it's just too small.

So, how big is your round pen or...how big do you think a round pen should be for general use? And, if you think my horse is pulling one on me, be honest and let me know.....I won't whine and make excuses. All suggestions will be most appreciated.

I am however moving him on June 1st to a nice equestrian center so it's not like I am "stuck" with the situation.

That seems small to me. It depends a little on how big your horse is and how well he's trained. Our round pen is 30' in diameter, and it's too small for a large, untrained horse to comfortably lope.

The one where I work is 60' and I will admit, I find it to be a little too big for me but I would much rather that than 15' - that seems so tiny! I wouldn't expect a horse to canter comfortably around it for more than a few strides unless he's really athletic/well trained.

Take a measuring tape (or even a string and two sticks) with you next time you go out and measure it so you know for sure. If it is the size you think, though, that is pretty tight for any fast working.

For that matter - if it is as small as you think you should be able to lay out a basic 12 foot lead and know whether it's just a bit further across or more - give you a fair idea at least

15' is the smaller than one of our box stalls! I think common sizes are 30' and 60' I personally would like something in the middle about 45' some day.

For what it's worth, Monty Roberts suggests 50 foot.

I have no idea on the diameter of mine as it is not really a circle, it is more oblong. However, it is made from 9 pipe panels and they are each 10 feet long. It is just big enough to get a nice long trot going but not really big enough for a lope. However, I usually only use it for saddle breaking colts and by the time 3 or 4 days has passed, they never see the inside again. If I were working an older, broker horse and I wanted space to work him at the lope, then I would want one of the commercial roundpens about 50 feet or more diameter.

Mine is 65 foot, pretty average round here.

Mine is 80' and I love it perfect for what we need.