Fitting a Pessoa

[lozz]

Hi guys ,
I've bought a pessoa for my horses to be lunged in and have seen it fitted a few times but not in great detail. I'd really like some help on how to fit the pessoa?
Thanks x

 

[kateelliott]

Im sure lots of people will have proper instructions for Pessoa fitting but here are just a couple of my thoughts. Start off by fitting it round the quarters only and keep the front end safely attached to the roller and not flapping around. Your horse can get used to the feeling round his bum which is quite different if he hasnt worn one before. It should sit just snugly about 6in above his hock. If he is very flighty you might want to start off long reining without the Pessoa so he gets the feel of a line round his quarters, especially if he hasnt been long reined for a while. I used a vetwrap to cover the section round his quarters which keeps the pessoa clean too.

When you start to attach the front end to the bit, you need to take it steady. Ive seen so many of the Pessoas cranked up tight on a horse with no muscle and its a very tough training aid when used in this way. In the same way as you would ride long and low to warm a horse up, you need to start the same with the Pessoa on the low fitting, between his front legs or on the lowest girth setting (similar position to side reins). Be aware that he is getting some relief/reward if he is working in a correct outline and that you cant see it yank on his month when his hind leg moves for example. My horse has a very swinging long TB walk and i found this was quite tricky as it always seemed to be moving. It goes without saying that you need to make sure he is working forwards and not holding himself tight, and make sure you warm up and down properly. You can tighten it up a bit during your session and you might want to slightly shorten the inside settings if you are working him on a circle to encourage correct bend. Dont overdo it - i think 15 min is plenty to start with. Good luck!

 

[Tifferss]

when i bought mine i google "fitting a pessoa" and there were youtube videos great help!!