Pessoa - did your horse have an adverse reaction?

[RachelB]

I've just tried introducing Berlin to a Pessoa - he's a very sensitive, wussy kind of chap so I expected fireworks. Hat, gloves, steel toe caps... nothing. He took it like he'd been doing it all his life, I expected to get as far as walking him round the field then taking it off (and only using the bit behind the roller and not attaching it to the bit). He was so chilled about the whole thing that I ended up going the whole hog - warming him up with just the back bit on, then attaching the front, walk trot and canter!
So it got me thinking - do horses generally react to the Pessoa or are they usually not bothered?

 

[jesterfaerie]

Both of my boys were fine when I used it on them and to my knowledge neither have had it used on them before.

 

[dixie]

my main horse has never been bothered by it at all, which is just as well as I need to pessoa for his Sacriolliac problem.

However, a mare I had at christmas was a nightmare and wouldn't accept it all - however she was subsequently diagnosed with kissing spine, so expect she had good reason.

 

[rooooosie]

mine doesnt freak but she doesnt really understand it!

 

[burtondog]

mine's still in it's packaging (was xmas pressy) but I'm hoping to try it on my new boy in next few weeks or so.

 

[Irishcobs]

I tried 3 different horses in the pessoa last week. One a very sensitive flightly pony who freaks at rugs/saddles/bridles/ everything basically. He was a little worried about it when I moved it down his bum but was absolutely fine once it was in place, in walk, trot and canter.
One was an ex racer, who was a bit nervous and jumpy but I don't expect he has ever had anything like it on him.
And the other was a 4yr big baby, who really couldn't of cared less what was on him, but he is a very laid back boy anyway.

 

[lpenaluna]

Mine was fine until it came to canter - furry bit bugged him and he starts bucking and ends up chucking himself in the mouth which annoys him more and he does a good few before he settles. Then hes fine. This only usually happens when hes not been in it for a while.

Hes been off recently with a sore back and now I have to (calmly) walk him / long rein him in it. Got the same explosive reaction yesterday (bit of xtra energy from time off addedd to it) but then he settled. Makes me cringe when hes fligging around and vet told me "no trot or canter, only walk"!!!

 

[Britestar]

Most of mine are fine, but one particular mare hates it, and will buck non stop until she bucks it off! Don;t use it on her anymore

 

[socks]

I've known two horses to really hate it - both took off and bucked until it came off. Both hated having something near their back legs like that and the way they went off around the school, they could have fallen or hurt themselves. However, it wasn't me doing the lunging and not my Pessoa. I reckon they could be desensitized to it, though never tried. One was a youngster, and the owner insisted on putting the Pessoa on it but after 3 sessions and of pure bucking and throwing itself around/kicking the fence/kicking the lunger I think they gave up... Not had too much experience when them, but that's what I've seen!

 

[Ezme]

I can imgine them kicking at it if its fitted too low, a driving horse will kick at its breaching if its too low and its basically the same thing

 

[Tiffany]

My girl has never bothered about it in the slightest

 

[sammiea]

my 2 boys are fine in it but my mare hates it with a passion and will buck and buck and buck until i take it off

 

[FinkleyAlex]

mine was fine in it, in fact I'm the one that has the issue with it as it's so much effort putting it on and off!