Another Pessoa question (and a poll)

[sfward]

I have a Pessoa for my 5 year old which I'd like to start using regularly on her as I've heard so many good things about it. Her tendency (partly conformation, partly training level) is to be quite downhill and on the forehand; my aims are to a) strengthen her topline and quarters and improve engagement b) lighten the forehand and encourage her to carry herself, and c) improve suppleness and balance.

I know a lot of people use the Pessoa on the low setting but she naturally works long and low and I want her to work more uphill so I'm not sure whether I should use this setting for her, even as a warm up - trainers have recommended lunging her completely loose and for the Pessoa using the medium/high setting with her to encourage her to carry herself.

So my question was how would you structure a Pessoa lunge session for a horse like this? Options below...!

Also she is still quite unbalanced in canter at the moment - she can canter on the lunge but only on larger circles and she tends to run on her forehand. Would you canter her in the Pessoa or should I just stick to trot for the moment?

Thanks!

 

[Sarah_Jane]

I personnally would always start on the lowest section to make sure she is warmed up and really stretching the muscles in her back.

 

[cyearsley]

I think one of the key things when starting using the pessoa is to get them used to it, the whole round the back of the legs and under the tail thing! My boy took a few sessions before he got used to it so would start of on the low setting and move up for the first few sessions and then when you are happy that she is completely happy with it, I guess you could try lungeing her without it attached to warm up and then go straight to the higher session but I think if you tried this initially your horse may have a bit of a reaction. The use and the setting really depends on how established the horse is and their way of going but also how they accept the pessoa too. If in doubt - take the more cautious route just so you and your horse are happy with it. Good luck

 

[sfward]

Thanks... She's been lunged in it a few times before and is quite happy in it so I don't have any worries on that count. Last time I got a couple of bucks in canter but I think she was having a bit of a strop as she was having to work harder than she is accustomed to!
I think probably on balance option 3 might be best.
cheers!