Pessoa training aid - persist or forget it?

anj789

anj789

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For those experienced Pessoa users out there... I tried the 5yo mare in it last night at physio’s suggestion. First time for both of us tho I've seen it in action plenty. She’s been lunged until now in ‘Vienna reins’ that go from girth up via bit to the lunge roller but obviously the back end of the Pessoa & its combined action is new. We’re going for long & low which she won’t do in the reins alone – tends to try go up them rather than down - & I introduced the Pessoa by taking her for a walk in just the back end (fitted to stifle height per instructions - is that best in practice?), then had a trot around on the lunge. No reaction to that, so I clipped down between her legs on a long setting and the fun started. She didn’t lose it totally but obviously didn’t like it, lots of running around & didn’t want to stop – she’s usually responsive to voice but ignored me for quite a long time. I think the rope was rubbing up under her chest too possibly given the stamping around (she’s used to webbing there tho). Does this sound familiar - I don’t want to p*** her off to a point where I can’t just lunge her – she’s a bit sharp at times & a quick learner so don’t want to push her anywhere I can’t easily get her back from. Do they tend to have a passing phase when you start in the Pessoa, particularly if they don’t naturally work in that long n low shape? She did appear to be more 'round' / engaged than usual – though at greater speed than I wanted, so am wondering if there’s benefit in trying a half way house – attach the back end to the surcingle (assume its presence is pushing her on behind) but use the Vienna reins up front so her back end isn’t attached to her teeth. Any thoughts?
 
I think your last suggestion is a great idea. See how she goes like that, then maybe reintroduce the pessoa-proper. she may have a very sensitive mouth and feel like she's being jabbed. Alternatively she may be resenting being made to work properly... Tho i still think your idea is probably the better one.
 
How tight did you have the pessoa at the front? If it was quite tight maybe try starting off a bit looser so that she isn't forced straight into the position you want, she has time to get used to it. How long did you lunge her for when she was playing up? Sometimes it does take them a little while to settle, but you need to work through it.

Your idea sounds reasonable in theory, but make sure there is no possibilty of the pessoa coming undone, as this could cause you some serious problems.
 
It was as long as it would go in front, my lowest roller D is a bit higher than straight across from stifle, so maybe I'll get my sewing kit out (!), that was taking up a bit of the slack but any looser & I think it could be flapping. I got hold of it second hand as full sized and she's 16.1 tbx not particularly long backed tho deep shoulder. Do they have different sizes? fitted back end has a bit of rope to spare - any longer and it was heading for her hocks which can't be good. She was tightening it herself really by trying to come up & I did persist for a good 10 mins probably (was getting a bit dizzy) -mainly cos she wouldn't whoah! I'll try it again but wasn't liking the wild eye look when I finally reeled her in. She went for a calm enough walk when I unclipped the front so maybe we just have to get used to it. If I go for plan B (half a Pessoa) I'll strap down any spare bits of string.
 
Were you just walking or trotting? I think your should stick with it. My very sharp mare took to it & it's done her back wonders. My easy going mare doesn't like the bit round her bum & will buck if i canter with just the back on (i don't canter them with it attached to their bit).

Trying the back bit alone with your other reins seems sensible, just make sure you tie the lines up securely. I use the girthing straps on my roller to make a loop back on itself & then put the line thru there. Pessoas only come in one size so it should fit. If she's more used to side reins then you could try it on the next position up til she relaxed. As someone else said, it might just be that it's hard work for her!
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I've mixed feelings on the Pessoa, they used it LOADS where I used to work, I must have spent the best part of four hours a day lunging in it. Some horses seem to work beautifully in it, others really object. I have one I use intermittently at home, personally I think horses need to be quite balanced for it to be really effective, the less well established ones seemed to struggle and would often go disunited or get a nasty sock in the gob because of fighting it, which I really didn't like.

The Pessoa works, as I understand it, through the system of pulleys so they activate behind to relieve the pressure in front, so just using the back bit might not make much difference to her way of going. If just having the back bit works for her, I'd sell the Pessoa and tie an old stretchy bandage to the roller or long line instead. Should produce the same result and save you some cash!

I would persevere for a bit and alternate between the Pessoa and your reins, use it for short periods and see she if she improves. If not you could try a lungy bungy instead.

I know people who swear by it but that has been my experience, hope it helps, good luck!
 
Is she better if you clip it back to the roller at the side D rings rather than down between her legs? And did you walk her around the school for a good few minutes with it all done up so she could figure it all out before lunging her?
I'd do that and then just lunge her in walk if you can, they are really hard work especially for a horse not used to working like that.
I had a full size one and always found it massive on a 16.1 TB and 16.2 appaloosa.


Just a word of warning about pessoas, I know a few horses that repeatedly put their backs out when asked to canter in pessoas through persistent bucking.
I worked for an international dressage rider for a while who wouldn't canter her horses in a pessoa, even her high level horses weren't comfortable cantering in one. It is seriously hard work for them to canter in them, especially when combined with a relatively small circle, and many horses will show this by bucking in canter, sometimes hard enough to damage their backs.
 
What bit are you lungeing in? I use a very soft rubber straight bar with no noseband (cobbled from an old bridle) because my boy didn't like the feel of his hindleg action coming through onto his old bit (if that makes sense) He then got used to it though and I think that Pessoas are effective at making them work over the back, as other posters have said.
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I would keep going with it - my tb took about a month to properly settle in and we worked up from literally s coupe of minutes on each rein to now he will happily work for a least 20-25 minutes. it has improved his topline no end and i have just started on the second setting. I do know someone that chopped theirs and put a piece of bungee in either side so that it didn't act on the mouth quite so much
 
Thanks guys - I did all the slow intro things you suggested, I guess I'll persist with all you've said in mind. I'm sure she is finding it hard work too!
 
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