Pessoa questions about these pics?

[Achinghips]

Take a look at the three differing pics. Can anyone explain to me how each one changes the horses way of going and what you prefer/do please?

I have a heavy boy who works lovely from behind but won't put his head down, which system may be best please?

( NB, knowing the responses of some helpful and analytical H & H's I am aware of the pros and cons of pessoa work and what I am trying to achieve and this thread isn't designed to debate that). Thanks

 

[Wagtail]

Actually, the settings for the second and third image are the same, where the lines are fastened to the roller between the horse's legs. However, in the second image, it is fitted more loosely. I would fit it like that to warm up or to introduce the horse to the pessoa, and then tighten it when the horse is warmed up. Fitting the pessoa this way encourages it to work long and low over its back. In the top image, the pessoa is fitted in the middle position. This works the horse slightly higher but still nice and round over its back. A third fitting would be to fasten the lines to the top of the roller. This works the horse in a higher, more advanced outline. However, I find that horses are not too keen on this and work better in side reins if you want to achieve a higher outline.

 

[Paris1]

I use it the second way.

 

[Achinghips]

Actually, the settings for the second and third image are the same, where the lines are fastened to the roller between the horse's legs. However, in the second image, it is fitted more loosely. I would fit it like that to warm up or to introduce the horse to the pessoa, and then tighten it when the horse is warmed up. Fitting the pessoa this way encourages it to work long and low over its back. In the top image, the pessoa is fitted in the middle position. This works the horse slightly higher but still nice and round over its back. A third fitting would be to fasten the lines to the top of the roller. This works the horse in a higher, more advanced outline. However, I find that horses are not too keen on this and work better in side reins if you want to achieve a higher outline.

Thanks Wagtail some great thoughts there -actually though the second image has the pessoa from the bit to between the front legs, unlike the third - does that bring the head down more?

 

[Carefreegirl]

I do the top pic 75% of the time mainly when I use it on a regular basis and the other 25% I do it between the front legs. mainly if I haven't lunged her for a while or there's lots of distractions which make her go up periscope ! She goes really low on the second way so have to be careful that she doesn't get her foot caught (she's a tb so expect the impossible) or something else equally stupid.

 

[Achinghips]

ok, I'm being really brave now, so go easy on me:

This is my half Shire lad, he's a little unfit and HEAVY, how can I improve this?

Please be kind

 

[Slightlyconfused]

Loosen up round the bum its too tight. We use ours in the long and low setting to stretch out the topline. Its supposed to loosen off when they are working in the correct way and tighten slightly when the resist you need to give the reward of not having the pressure once he gives or he wont be able to hold himself and develop those muscles right. Same a little with the other bits.


Fab looking cob though

Xx

 

[NOISYGIRL]

Pic 1 looks just right
Pic 2 too loose
Pic 3 can't really see if it goes between front legs, if it does it looks too low to me

 

[Mlini]

ok, I'm being really brave now, so go easy on me:

This is my half Shire lad, he's a little unfit and HEAVY, how can I improve this?

Please be kind

It looks too tight to me. Especially round the bum.

I use mine between the front legs to encourage long and low work. I use the John Whitaker version, it has instructions and pictures to show you how to use it and what setting your horse should have

The higher settings on the roller are for more advanced horses, the lower ones for younger/greener horses.

The pessoa is very difficult for most horses. Mine isn't very balanced so can do around 15mins before he starts to struggle.

 

[Carefreegirl]

ok, I'm being really brave now, so go easy on me:

This is my half Shire lad, he's a little unfit and HEAVY, how can I improve this?

Please be kind

Ditto Slightlyconfused re tightness. I personally also prefer to have a surcingle with rings further down so the bottom pessoa rope is slightly straighter to the bit / contact - hope that makes sense ? but as I say thats just my little thing

(The lowest rings on my surcingle are pretty much where the bottom of the saddle / saddle cloth would be if wearing one, pretty much where the writing is on your girth)

 

[Moggy]

Great looking cob but nothing to add that hasnt been said...apart from where did you get second pic from?

 

[meesha]

I use a saddlecloth under roller with my "pessoa" type training aid - I put the lower rope through the velcro straps at bottom of saddlecloth which you would normally put girth through ! alternatively you could buy a couple of v large carabiner (proper job £1 per clip!)

 

[Wagtail]

Thanks Wagtail some great thoughts there -actually though the second image has the pessoa from the bit to between the front legs, unlike the third - does that bring the head down more?

I can see the line going between the front legs in the third too. It is just harder to see because of the angle and it is tighter. Yes the lower you attach the lines from the bit, the lower the horse will work.

 

[Sameru]

If he was mine and already works through from behind without too much effort I would use a bungie instead to encourage the head and neck to lower without having to faff with the complexities of pessoa wars - too tight vs not tight enough

if you want to perservere with the pessoa, buy a new roller with more ring options - Mark Todd or Shires doe one for around £15. Keep as straight a line as possible through the ring to the bit and then attatch from the bit to between the front legs. The setting you have him in is the most advance and thus you are getting a higher carriage in the head/neck. He cannot stretch down in this setting which is what you require.

Hard to tell but I dont think you will need to alter the hind end part when the rings are lower and the setting is in the 'between the legs' mode

 

[Achinghips]

Thankyou everyone sooo much, I will defo untighten that, funny how it takes others so see what is quite obvious yet you can't see it yourself, and now I can see that's a little too tight quite clearly

Truth be told I think the whole things a little small for him as he's a very wide lad, will defo try the bungee too and see how he goes in that. I'm lucky he works well from behind and he has been fully produced - not by me, I hasten to add!

The pics are from the internet, I did a search on "pessoa" + "images". Hope I haven't reproduced something on here I shouldn't have.