Lunging aids?

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littlen

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I am currently bringing my horse back into work. He is undermuscled and has no topline at all. He also has a big grass belly I would love to shift.

Some others at the yard have suggested using lunging aids to build muscle quicker and get him working properly to hopefully tone up the stomach area.
However, I have no experience of lunging aids and dont know where to start (I am very much a snaffle and thats it person!)

What lunging aids do you all use and what do they do?
Which aid would be best for encouraging proper muscle build up?

Reccomendations would be fab
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I haven't ridden my lad much over the winter, and he lost a lot of topline. I posted a piccie on here, and someone recommended a pessoa. I have now used it religously for a month (haven't ridden at all
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) and it has worked wonders. He is super muscley, has built a lovely topline, and looks fab - I will be riding him again from tomorrow (the idea behind not riding was to let him build up the muscle etc rather than injure him by getting straight on). It is a fantastic aid, if fitted and used correctly - there are plenty of places on the internet (and you tube) that show you how to fit them.
 
Definatly a passoa!!
If you havnt got one or no one can lend one have alook on ebay for the cheap replica ones. I have the michel whittacker one which comes with a roller
 
I use a Pessoa and Lungie bungies (not at the same time obviously) The Pessoa is great when i have the time to work her in properly as it it quite a hard work out using the Pessoa even on the bottom rung. The Lungi Bungie is great as it doesnt fix the head in an un natural position ut gently encourages her to lower the head rather than trot around like a giraffe. This has work great at building top line with the Pessoa and stretching off the top line with the lungie Bungie. I know alot of people ride in them but I personally think its a little harsh to strap them in.
 
I think a chambon is better than a pessoa as it interferes less with the mouth but still encourages the horse to work over it's back and stretch down. I find the pessoa can catch them sometmes in the mouth when they haven't really done anything wrong.
 
It depends on ur horse really, I use side reins or John Whittaker/pessoa thingy but on occasions I have used nothing as MonkeyBum13 has said. The only reason I use 'aids' is because initially mine will go round with his head up looking at the scenery. After 10mins or so he chooses to use his back so usually end up relaxing everything.
 
the pessoa has worked a miracle on my ex racer and loopy horse, but not so much for any of the others on the yard.

maybe try and borrow one for a few go's and see how it goes before forking out for one?
 
Ive used my passoa on my mare for years and never seen her jab herself in the mouth with it?! I think the people who think that this would happen or have seen it happen is because they have them too tight?!
I have always used mine on the first setting with the lines going from the bit through the front legs and fasten to the roller under her tummy. I work my mare without the breech strap down to allow her to look around and sniff the floor etc..and warm up and get loose in her movement before I ask her to start working with it. I think it is unfair to get any horse working with any gadget straight away.
 
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