Muddy roundpen work?

Do you still use your roundpen in the winter?? At my barn, it's got about a foot of dirt/mulch or something. Even in the summer, it's hard to use because it's not flat. Do you use yours in the winter? If not do you use other means like lunging to replace it?

I wont use a round yard unless its dry. Its just to easy for them to slip and fall. Its probably not the best idea to work them on uneven ground too

Blech .. don't use it if the footing is thick and heavy. Not good .. and it should be flat as well. We have a nice roundpen, but I live in Canada anddd.. so we get snow

Ya that's what I figured, ugh it just sucks because it's TERRIBLE footing. Might as well not even have it lol I mean he was slipping in the summer! Those that have a nice flat one, do you use it in the winter?

The roundpen I have at the stables that I board is normally nice footing even in the ickiest of weather....same with the arena. Actually with the arena, the wetter it is, the better footing. It's never been slippy at all.
I defiantely plan on riding in the winter. I'll go out and shovel some snow out of the roundpen...then get some Paw safe ice melter (because the BO has dogs) and I"ll put it any ice...then we'll go ride. I won't go any faster than a trot, but I'l lstill ride.

I do use mine in the winter. But Ihave mine tarped when not using it, so the snow doesnt build up, and I have sand in mine as well, which helps with water issues. I have had issues in the past with previosu round pens getting too muddy, and footing was dangerous for loping and other faster gates then a walk or trot.

I also use my round pen for other training other then "round penning". Epsecially when it comes to foals. You don't have to run a horse in the round pen just because its a round pen, LOL! Its a great area to keep control with working green horses.

If the round pen is not an option, but you want to broaden your horizens and skills a little in yourself and the horse, Lunge Line's are cheap and fun to work with. You don't need a round pen for that. You can go anywhere where you have some space!

Hmmm that's all I thought the round pen was for was running in circles...naive I know, but I guess that's why I never really used it.

Ohhhh goodness no! I know, that is what most people see when it comes to round pens! I am not a real huge fan of chasing down a run away green horse.. LOL! Me being lazy! No, but really, its a great controlled area to try some new things, and not have to wear yourself out when it goes wrong!

I have been working with uncontrolled returns on cue with some of my foals. As they get better, I move up to a bigger area and keep. I also like to practice reinless riding there for the first times. Teaching something new for the first time that doesnt require a ton of space, a round pen is ideal!

Have you worked with lunge lines before?

Yes, I still use the roundpen when it is muddy or snowy. I don't ever let the horse get out of a trot in the round pen anyway and I only use it for 3 or 4 days when I start a new horse. If I notice them really having trouble with the footing, I just slow down. I don't ever use a round pen on a broke horse and uneven ground, I think, is good to get horses used to because it reminds them to be aware of where their feet are and makes them more sure footed. The only time that I don't use the pen is when it has been wet and then frozen with those little sharp points because I know those things can cut even the hardest hooves.

Nope, roundpen isn't just for lunging (or the fancy term of lunging in a roundpen "roundpenning"), if you have a big enough one it can be used for riding. I dont' lunge my horse, I use the roundpen for liberty work (doing the Parelli 7 Games without a lead and halter), trying out new things, or if I want to just have undemanding time, I'll put him in there so it's just the two of us.