Round Pens and Relationship Building by Lisa Kiley
R
ound pens are a versatile tool for anyone that works with horses. The circular construction allows the horse to express freedom of movement, while containing them in an area that is manageable for the handler. There are many exercises that can be performed in the round pen, but one thing that resonates across disciplines is the connection and relationship that can be built with your equine partner in this space. Kim Cardeccia MA is a Licensed Professional Counselor who has run Hidden Promise out of Howell, Mich., for the last 12 years. The program seeks to strengthen the human/horse relationship and create positive changes in the lives of both the individual and the animal. Prior to starting this program, Cardeccia noticed that her riding students had an ease of opening up and experienced positive life experiences outside of their barn that directly linked to the things they were learning when working with horses. Cardeccia decided to bring her practice to the barn so that she could utilize the connection between horses and humans to help her clients. When asked about her thoughts on utilizing round pens for her practice, Cardeccia explained, “In my experience, the round pens provide both support and freedom in our interactions with the horses, in many ways the circular shape is symbolic.” From focus to wholeness and centering, Cardeccia explained, “Our ground rules for interaction with the animals are those of basic safety. The clients are taught to avoid areas of the horse that could be dangerous. For example, I don’t tell them exactly how they have to lead the horse, it’s important they create their own way of connecting and communicating, the round pen allows this interaction to happen in a safe way. As a therapist, I am concerned with both the emotional and physical safety of my clients.” At this years Michigan Horse Expo in East Lansing, Mich., Cardeccia led three clinics covering information on how to improve communication and connection with your horse. She advised, “The things we are working on here are not intended to replace what you are already doing with your horse. Instead, I’m encouraging people to take the time to build a relationship with their horse in a setting that allows for worry free interaction for both the horse and human. It is time that you can spend with your horse in a partnership of calm.”
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While talking with Cardeccia and listening to her speak at the clinics in the Cashmans sponsored round pen, she highlighted several ways to build a better relationship with your equine friend: 1. Pay attention to the cues our horses are giving us. This might be just a small gesture like licking and chewing or facing towards us in our interactions. We want to pay attention to what is helping our horse to relax in our presence and if they are not relaxed what might be the cause from outside or internal stimulus. 2. Having goals for spending time with your horse is important. Even when you are spending ‘free-time’ with your horse, it’s important to set an intention for the session. This may be getting your horse to move to a specific place in the round-pen or walk with you from one point to another. 3. Have a positive mindset. Think about what you want to accomplish and believe that you can do it. Many times, your own internal voice can be unsympathetic. We tell ourselves that we are not able to do something or that if we try we will fail, and that can have an affect on our physical response. By staying positive we can affect the outcome of our actions. Like us, horses are sentient beings and the way we feel can influence how they react. 4. Stay grounded in the present moment. Try not to think about what went wrong in the past or things that could go wrong in the future. Put your phone aside along with any other distractions that could prevent you from fully experiencing the time you are spending with your horse. When it comes to the round pen itself, there are several factors to consider. It’s important to have a strong construction that will support the horse’s weight if they run into the panels. The size of the pen is also something to think about. Universally, a 60-foot round pen provides an optimal size for both ground work and riding exercises. Squared panels provide another layer of safety, so that the horse can’t get their hoof between the panels if they tried to jump or rear over the enclosure. ‘Rodeo latches’ prevent halters, or other parts of rigging from getting caught up and trapping the horse against the panels. Ensuring that the encloser is safe for your horse will allow you to focus on building a better relationship. If you have any questions about setting up your round pen space, the professionals at Cashmans are a great resource for providing this information, check out the Buyers Guide at www.cashmans.com/round-pen-buyers-guide. For more information about Hidden Promise, contact Kim Cardeccia http://confidencethroughconnection.com/ Lisa Kiley is a lifelong horse enthusiast who has worked in the equine industry and shown horses for many years. She now is a proud member of the Cashmans Horse Equipment Team. Cashmans Horse Equipment is based out of Delaware, Ohio. The family owned business has been providing top quality equine and livestock products to the community for over a quarter of a century. They have expanded from one of the nation’s first drive thru feed stores to a full-scale horse equipment outlet with 10 acres of merchandise to explore. Cashmans strives to educate consumers and provide products that put safety first so you can best enjoy time spent with the horses you love. www.cashmans.com
HORSEMEN’S CORRAL
April 2019