Opinions please - best lunging training aid?

kezz86

kezz86

Well-Known Member
Joined
31 August 2008
Messages
350
Visit site
Hi all,

I'm looking at getting a lunging aid for my girl (and potential new horse).

I'm hoping it will help them use their backs and encourage a more "correct and natural" outline.

Potential new horse is an ex chaser who since racing has been re-schooled, hunted and recently worked in a "false outline" head kind of forced in.

My current girl is a golden oldie so I'm hoping she'll just benefit from being able to use her back without a rider.

Question is what would be best for us?

Pessoa? Equiami? Kincade? Zilco? John Whitaker? Other?

I don't know where to start so any advice/ recommendations appreciated please.

Thanks in advance
 
kezz86 said:
Is it easy enough to use?

How did the horses take to the way it feels?
Click to expand...

Yep p*** easy to use once you know what to do with it. I just leave the back bit on the roller and pop the front piece over her head to clip up. (Hard to explain over a forum..)

One of my girls immediately went 'oh yeah okay, I go like this' and that's that. My smaller mare is the one that is resistant. She tries to evade it a number of ways, realises she cannot, bucks a bit, then goes 'fine' and works lovely in it. But for short periods of time only as she isn't used to working in such a way as the EquiAmi asks her to work.
I wouldn't use the Pessoa on my little one though, as that is very fixed and forced. I like the Ami as it asks her to work properly, it doesn't tell her. And once she's going forwards well into it, she does. :)
 
Megibo said:
Yep p*** easy to use once you know what to do with it. I just leave the back bit on the roller and pop the front piece over her head to clip up. (Hard to explain over a forum..)

One of my girls immediately went 'oh yeah okay, I go like this' and that's that. My smaller mare is the one that is resistant. She tries to evade it a number of ways, realises she cannot, bucks a bit, then goes 'fine' and works lovely in it. But for short periods of time only as she isn't used to working in such a way as the EquiAmi asks her to work.
I wouldn't use the Pessoa on my little one though, as that is very fixed and forced. I like the Ami as it asks her to work properly, it doesn't tell her. And once she's going forwards well into it, she does. :)
Click to expand...

Thank you that's really helpful.

I've always thought that the Pessoa looked a bit forced.

At the moment I'm swaying towards Equiami...

Any opinions from other would also be appreciated.
 
I have the john Whittaker version and love it. Dead well made and horse works really well in it. I've never seen a horse look forced into an outline or be socked in the teeth with one - assume those are complaints from ones that are badly fitted! FWIW I tried an equiami and neither the horse or myself liked it. Horses for courses I guess ;-)
 
saddlesore said:
I have the john Whittaker version and love it. Dead well made and horse works really well in it. I've never seen a horse look forced into an outline or be socked in the teeth with one - assume those are complaints from ones that are badly fitted! FWIW I tried an equiami and neither the horse or myself liked it. Horses for courses I guess ;-)
Click to expand...

Thanks, What didn't you or your horse like about the Equiami?

I've seen the JW in use before but wasn't looking for one at the time, wish I'd paid more attention to it now!
 
Despite the fact that it isn't fixed at all horse actually managed to lean on it and tip onto the forehand. Very out of character and clearly wasn't happy in it. For me I dont think it's well made and the rope rubs, especially behind the quarters. All of the pessoa type ones have a padded section there.
 
saddlesore said:
Despite the fact that it isn't fixed at all horse actually managed to lean on it and tip onto the forehand. Very out of character and clearly wasn't happy in it. For me I dont think it's well made and the rope rubs, especially behind the quarters. All of the pessoa type ones have a padded section there.
Click to expand...

Interesting...

This might be something I need to consider as my mare has sensitive skin and rubs easily. Although I suppose I could just get a fluffy band and modify it myself.

Thanks!
 
saddlesore said:
I have the john Whittaker version and love it. Dead well made and horse works really well in it. I've never seen a horse look forced into an outline or be socked in the teeth with one - assume those are complaints from ones that are badly fitted! FWIW I tried an equiami and neither the horse or myself liked it. Horses for courses I guess ;-)
Click to expand...


The John Whitaker system looks exactly the same to the Pessoa, how is it different?
 
I have an EquiAmi and love it, I have been using it on my 7 year old for five months now, using it on average once a week alongside schooling (sometimes in the EquiAmi ridden aid) and hacking and have really noticed a difference, his topline has developed considerably and he's schooling better as well. My horse adapted to it after about 10 mins and hasn't had a problem with it since, and he is a sensitive WB x TB so it can't be that bad! I just put a couple of fluffy bridle covers on the back bit to prevent rubbing.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top