EquiAmi vs. Pessoa...or something else(suggestions on a postcard!)??

[Bounty]

Advice please peeps!
I've got 4/5yo ex-flat racer that's been out of racing for 2years now, and has done a bit of mooching with me. For the majority of the last 12 months she's been out of work due to getting kicked in the field, and then me breaking my collar bone in Jan about a month after I'd brought her back in.

She's weak behind and struggles to track up properly in trot. I've been long lining her LOADS over the last few months which has helped, but we seem to have reached a point where we're not making any more progress. I'm really struggling to get her to stretch down and work over her back. So.... I'm thinking about cheating by using a training aid (or gadget

!)

But i can't decide which one to go for.... A pessoa, the
EquiAmi or maybe just a chambon with a bungee rope around her bum?

The EquiAmi seems to be draw rein type things for the front end with a separate breeching strap going around the bum. EquiAmi

The only thing i'm worried about with the pessoa is that surely the action of the hindlegs will translate right through to her mouth? And also would she be able to stretch right down in it?

The advantage of the chambon is that she would be able to stretch right down, am i right in thinking that? And that the breeching strap would make her more aware of her back end?

What would you guys use?

I don't want her to be able to lean on whatever i put her in... And does anyone have any personal experience with the EquiAmi? sorry for yet another long rambling post, I'm not too good at condensing my thoughts!!

 

[Bounty]

This is a (bad) picture of the Donkey in question.... Not sure whether it'll influence your advice?

Bamboozle!

Although I've used oodles of trainig aids etc on horses that I've worked with, it's always been the owners decision. I don't like the responsibility of trying to decide the best for my own!

 

[Bounty]

Gee guys....all your help was much appreciated

 

[pootler]

Hi Bounty, I can't comment on the equiami as I haven't come across one before. What I can say is that a pessoa is a must have bit of kit in my book.

I have been using one for 20 minutes twice a week on my horse and it has made a massive positive difference in his way of going over about 8 months (although I saw results within two weeks of using it).

If you use it correctly I absolutely guarantee you it will have a positive impact on the mare's way of going and build her up correctly. Perhaps my boy was particularly bad hence it was quite a dramatic improvement but it does work!

 

[Bounty]

Thanks pootler.
I went to a 'horses inside out' lecture demo today which was absolutely fab. The demo horse was painted up with the skeleton on one side and the major muscle groups on the other. It was then worked on the lunge (unrestricted), in the pessoa, and then over jumps. As well as the visual aspect, she talked us through which muscles did exactly what and what causes particular problems in a horses way of going. Will post pics and vids at some point.
Anyway, getting to the point... I have a much better understanding of which muscles I'm trying to affect. Devouring books is one thing, but it's not the same as applying it to a real horse is it?