any thoughts?
I use Equibands. I like that you don’t have to have the front end of the horse rigged up if you don’t want to. If you do, you can still add a chambon or Vienna reins or long lines or whatever. Plus, you can ride in them for some proprioceptive encouragement. It’s not just a longe system. My only gripe is the pad (while thick and durable) isn’t my favorite, and it’s very expensive for what it is.
I’ve used both for different reasons. The Equiband is easy to use in a warm-up to help encourage the horse push from behind, then remove when you no longer need it. The belly bands snap on a off with heavy duty plastic buckles. You can ride or longe with this on.
The Pessoa I’ve used to help a horse stretch over its back and can be used to work on different frames depending on the level of the horse as well as how you connect it to the surcingle. It’s a bit more involved to set up.One would only use this on the longe.
What are you looking to achieve with these? Like other tools, I use these occasionally with my horse, mostly to introduce or review a concept and then go back to under saddle with just me and no tools.
I far far prefer to do as much work with a horse as possible under saddle (rather than on the lunge). So I far prefer my Equiband system. But if I had a horse that needed a lot of muscling (or remuscling) and wasn’t ready to have a rider on its back, I would go with a Pessoa.
Maybe add a 3rd option to your list: Pro-Core Trainer by Thermatex. http://www.thermatex.co.uk/thermatex/pro-core-trainer-1.html
Disclosure! I am a US retailer.
Please send me a message about it! I’ve been on the fence regarding all 3 products. Thanks!
interested as well. Is this more similar to the equiband or the Pessoa? Aren’t these only made in Europe?
Much like the equiband, the Pro-Core stays out of the horse’s mouth, can be used on the longe or under saddle. There are two heights for the band that goes behind the hindquarters. They are made only in Europe, but so are most saddles and boots, and lots of other horsey products!
My eventer has been in rehab for the past few months and I use both - he had to be worked unmounted, so I used the pessoa because I didn’t feel that teaching him to long line during rehab was going to be the right move. I feel the pessoa system is similar to long lining because it acts on the bit and the hind end. If he was already good at long lining, I would have done that as you have more control moment to moment. The pessoa is more fixed, but you do not need as much skill with the lines to use it properly, you just need to be able to lunge.
I used the bands (belly, not butt) to help him activate his core and then back muscles so that while he wasn’t under saddle he was using himself well. They can make them sore if you overdo them at first but they are a terrific tool. I use PT bands and a slot cut in a saddle pad - I do not have the Equiband system. Because he was in the pessoa, and the nature of his injury (tore the fascia off the thoracolumbar ligament), the butt band was too much for him.
Are the bands stretchy?
Yes.
I’ve never cared much for the Pessoa - I think it moves a lot and rattles on their mouth. I’ve never gotten the results I’ve wanted with it. I’ve had better success with a polo wrap around the hind end and side reins.
My thoughts have always been that if you’re trying to train elasticity into a horse, why use something that isn’t elastic?
I really like the Equiband. I’ll use it with side reins or a neck stretcher on the lunge line.
FWIW, I use lunging as a means mostly to get the horse to engage its hind end and stretch.
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Wish I didn’t read this thread. I’ve been wanting to get the Equibands for so long now but have been debating back and fourth. I do feel like my horse would benefit from this greatly and it would be great for those days where you aren’t super motivated to get out and have a hard flat session yet still get the horse working properly.
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