Pessoa Rig for Lunging?/Other lunging aids

[Scribbler]

I would suggest working on this in hand, rather than longing.

Do side flexions and lateral work at the walk, in hand. Get him bent in the direction of travel, rather than counterbent. Get the correct muscles activated. Then you can proceed to doing this at the trot, as long as you have the stamina! It is much easier to teach giving to the bit and stretching to contact when you have the actual bit in your hands. Once he has the idea, you can start longing him on progressively larger circles, pushing his haunches out.

[CanteringCarrot]

[QUOTE=ladyj79;9016815]
Learn how to long line.[/QUOTE]

This.

I really debated on buying a Pessoa rig for my horse, but consistent long lining has made a world of difference with him. I long line in circles, over poles, do extensions, transitions, and lateral work. I can have a good feel of him while also seeing his body move.

He has really learned how to stretch with long lining. I was kind of forced into this while waiting for a saddle fitter :lol:

Also, you really have to build up to it. Sometimes I find myself thinking and expecting my horse to be more fit than he is. While he is naturally a nice mover, it still takes great strength and impulsion to rock back on that hind end, bring the front up, and collect the canter under saddle. It’s not a rush. I would work poles (raised too), transitions, transitions within the gait, and some hills if you can find them. I would start with overall strength first. Sometimes it is mental, but sometimes they really aren’t physically ready when we think they should be.

[raisethebar]

you guys are killing me… I just sold my long lines last week why didn’t I think about using them in this type of situation! URGH! hahaha

Thank you I do think he needs to work on a lot more then just one thing! This sounds like a good plan to me. I think I will reassess getting the Pessoa rig in the spring if our development isn’t where I feel like it should be hten.

[Showbizz]

I think long lining is an invaluable skill to have. And this is a great time of year to learn.

[vineyridge]

My only comment is that use of one of those Pessoa like systems left my young, inexperienced mare sore for weeks. She wasn’t strong enough to be able to handle the restrictions.

[mfleming13]

My mare is recovering from an SI injury and we used the Pessoa rig 5x a week (very very lightly, by vet’s orders) and it helped her tremendously. This mare is absolutely terrible on the lunge line, scary to free lunge and does not lunge in side reins. I introduced the pessoa system very carefully. I first put it on with just a halter, and walked her in hand with it on, letting her out onto smaller circles for the first few days. Eventually I added the trot but made sure not to let her get too far away from me (I followed her around the circle so she was not circling tightly) and eventually we moved up to lunging like a normal horse with the rig attached to a bridle!

She absolutely loves it. Is still terrible to lunge without the system on, but gets right down to work when she has it on. I have since tightened it up a bit more to encourage her to work her hind end more and she has not put a foot wrong. I think it is really helpful and I’ve found that horses take to it better than they do side reins. It looks a lot scarier to use in my opinion because of all the ropes etc but most horses figure it out pretty fast!

[nycjumper]

I LOVE our pessoa. We use it regularly. It’s wonderful for the young ones as they learn about using their hind end, carrying themselves, etc. It’s wonderful for the older ones to continue working correctly. Obviously adjust as needed - we start the babies with it very loose and then tighten it up as they get comfortable/stronger. I lunge in bridle and pessoa.

A friend just recommended the equiami ystem they’re selling in the UK that he likes more than the Pessoa. It’s on my wish list. I’m happy to check it out although I can’t imagine loving more than the Pessoa.

[raisethebar]

NYCjumper - any reason why he likes the equiami system better than the Pessoa?

[S4zeus]

I recently purchased the Pessoa training system after years of considering it. My draft cross is weak through his lower back/SI but is capable of lifting and coming through. I use the Pessoa once or twice a week at most and usually for 10-15 minutes. Only at the trot for now. It’s nice when I get to the barn after work and don’t have time to ride. 10 min and I feel like it’s useful and he uses himself better for those 10 minutes. My goal is to strengthen his back and get better lift through his abs. I’m more effective if I have a training yelling at me during a lesson than riding by myself.
So bottom line - I do like it and I’m glad I finally purchased one after several years of contemplating. Just my 2 cents.

[Allusion]

I’m personally on the fence about the Pessoa system. I am not sure I like the idea of the hind end influencing the mouth so much, and worry about it creating a “false frame.” I also personally am not a huge fan of traditional side reins, and much prefer a Vienna side rein.
Here’s a possible alternative solution, which can be used with a surcingle or saddle: Stretchy Vienna side reins (you can make these yourself by buying lengths of bungee rope and some snaps at your local home hardware store) and then looping an elastic band (tensor bandage) around their hind end, to encourage them to think about their hind ends, without linking it to their mouth with a rope.
Just my two cents, YMMV.

[CHT]

I strongly dislike the Pessoa. I don’t like how the pull on the bit is tied to the movements of the hind legs, when the actual natural swing of a horse’s head/neck is linked to his front legs. Can lead to contraction of the neck and getting behind the bridle and not using the back properly. Contradictory at the canter, mistimed at the walk.

[SendenHorse]

another strong dislike from me. I have yet to see it produce true connection and contact/thrust over topline.

[heronponie]

I have never seen it help a horse, and have seen a 100% incidence of body damage caused by this loathesome contraption.

Some people do not recognize pain unless the horse is on 3 legs. Some people also think this thing does no damage. I’ll let you draw your own conclusion there.