fitting a pessoa type lunging aid

ann-jen

ann-jen

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I managed to pick one of these up as a bargain on ebay and used it for the first time last night. I know how to fit it but could do with a bit of guidance as to how loose/tight it should be. I figured I should start with it pretty loose til she got used to it but think I had it so loose that it was barely having a effect! There were no fitting guidelines with the aid just a picture of a horse working in one. Just wondered if anyone could help!
Thanks :-)
 
Can't help I'm afraid as I'm looking for this answer myself! I bought an EquiAmi last year before turning my mare away for the winter and despite the DVD, I"m not confident about how loose/tight it should be. So I'll be following this with interest :)
 
Interesting thread as I just bought a equiami and tried it out today. As most of you know, I video most things so this is us using the system. I was going to ask equiami to watch the video and comment on the set up as I am not sure how loose or taught it should be. I just set it to what I thought looked correct.
My video is compressing at the moment and I will upload it later on.
 
You're right in starting off loose and working your way tighter.

20 mins walk and trot in the pessoa is equivalent to approx an hour's hard schooling.

It's hard to give lengths and measurements etc, but to start with you need it loose enough that they can stretch without risk of catching their front legs in it.

If it's your horse's first time it is also sensible to lunge them first with just the 'bit' round their bottom as they may not like the feeling straight off.

Gauge it by your horse and how they react to it, but even at peak fitness I only used it for 20 minutes twice a week, and loose enough that he could stretch to a degree if he wanted to!
 
this is a pessoa... never seen an equiami so dont know what anyone is talking about regarding them :o

*this is after warming up for 10 mins with it loose and working up to tighter*


Rio hasnt worked much on it so he finds it hard work so we only do about 3 mins on each rein with it this tight. this is how tight i have been taught to have it :) hope this helps a bit

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VBtSTOMpVU&list=UUjTFvhEmqvTGluCXYgcvwyQ&index=1

and yes he is loose i taught him to self lunge because im lazy :o
 
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Thanks for the videos guys! Both lovely horses!
The equi-ami is slightly different at the back to mine but from the 2nd video I think I have that bit done up about spot on but am probably a bit too slack in front.
Thanks very much and I'll have a play about with it next time I use it :-)
 
taught him to come closer when i lift my hand and further out when i lower my hand while on the lunge. then took the line off and to stay at the same distance he has to do a circle :) if he is on say the left rein and i stick my right arm out to the side he changes direction also with the voice command "change". i dont use a lunge whip or anything he goes forward to clicking and slows down to whoooaaa and to get him to shorten his stride i make a bouncing up motion with my other hand so he will extend or shorten in walk trot or canter :o it sounds complicated but its really easy to teach if your horse listens to you really well :)
 
Armas yours is far too loose, totally ineffective. Look at SM vid, that is how it should be.

SM I also can lunge loose too, haha my spaniard is awesome to lunge, he is voice perfect to my commands I love it!

I have a pessoa but don't use it anymore, my yard (full of spanish horses) not a fan of them (or any gadgets) and he actually goes much better NOT tied in anything! when in these gadgets he tenses up, he is more loose and long just in a head collar :rolleyes:
 
Your EquiAmi looks too loose Armas. I fit mine so its snug around bum but not tight, and again so there is a soft contact in front..

I love mine though, much prefer it to a Pessoa. Lunged in one at college and the horse was constantly being seesawed with each move of his hocks. None of that in the Ami.
 
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