I work them on the ground in the round pen but I just can't ride them there anymore. I've never had an accident in there but they can get darn fast and if I go off I would rather in be in an open arena than against wood slats.
It depends on the kind of wreck they are likely to have. I'm with you. I don't really want to get thrown against the side of the round pen. But if you are just breaking in, you want them feeling like they don't have anywhere to run to. Out in the open, not only can they go faster, but they are tempted to.