Pessoa Training Aid

[Irish_horse]

What are your experiences of using it, have to admit i've only heard positive things so far, but would like to know how often you use it and for how long each time, can you tell me about the different setting, etc. has it made a difference to your horses way of going? Would be much appreciated, have a friend who had a fall & can't ride at the moment but wants to still work her horse from the ground, he has pretty much no topline, ex point to pointer, 7yr old, complete sweetheart and quite chilled out, but doesn't carry himself very well, can get heavy in front. I mentioned the pessoa as id heard great things about it, but would like your opinions, would you reccomend it for this horse?

 

[Governor]

There's three (or four?) settings and although i've had one for about a year and a half i'm still on the first, lowest setting. The pulleys go from the bit rings inbetween the forelegs and attatch to the girth roller. The middle setting the pulleys go from the bit rings to the side rings. The highest setting the pulleys go up to the top of the roller from the bit rings. Hope that makes sense!

I use it for my 6 year old about once a week when he's in regular work. It really does make a difference to how they carry themselves to the extent that he's not cantered for more than one 20m circle in it either. I warm him up without it then walk and trot him in it for about 10-15 minutes in total. Its really helped build up his back and bum muscles (pictures in the gallery should you want visual!!).

It would probably work pretty well for him taking things slowly if he doesn't carry himself properly. Once he gets comfortable with coming underhimself correctly i'd imagine the change in his front end would be pretty dramatic.

N.B. You can long rein in it too which is a good way to start as its not quite as demanding as a circle and if you long rein up a long side standing to the inside of the horse (ok...so thats advanced lunging) you can really see how they work in it.

 

[CastleMouse]

I haven't used a Pessoa yet, but from what I have heard about it, it is meant to improve topline and make the horse work from behind more as well, so I think that it would be suitable for your friends horse.

 

[omrl]

Yeah would recommend it for your horse. I Pessoa mine about 2 / 3 times a week and at first for about 5minutes on each side with it really loose but now he has it tighter and for about 15 minutes on each side. It has really made an improvement and my horse is starting to develop a top-line. Would definately recommend it!

 

[Oaksflight]

I'm in the process of buying one off another forum member. My horse is very difficult to get into an outline and using his back end properly. Takes a LOT of leg, and to make it even better he goes worse in spurs. I'm sure even a GP dressage rider would have difficulty trying to get him to lower his head in canter. Therefore I've gone down the pessoa route in hope that it'll help carry himself better!

 

[wanderersmelody]

I've just posted a request about the Pessoa training aid! My vet recommended it and I reckon that there must be some sort of promotional work going on as everyone seems to be getting one! I just bought mine this weekend and can't wait to use it. It sounds fantstic. Great descrition of how to use it! Thanks

 

[natz]

Hi!
We've been using the Pessoa at work (im an event groom!) for about a year now - and I cant rate them highly enough!! I can use it on nearly every horsey on the yard (minus the babies obviously!) and its really good for varying work, or if you havent got the time to school. On the advanced/intermediate eventers I work them in it for about half an hour, trot on the lowest setting (between front legs) first and then move it to middle setting to canter. It really does work and have seen a huge improvement regarding topline!!!
At the moment we are in the middle of PC camps (got 6 solid weeks of camp!) and I would honestly be lost with out the pessoa's, the camps are using all 3 schools for most of the day, so it would be impossible to school - but I can pessoa in the lungeing pen!!! wahey!!

Deff reccomend it for your friends horsey, remember to start with short sessions, with the pessoa long and low, and build up slowly!!!
Good luck! xx

P.S If you think your friends horse may not like the bit behind its bum, I would use the middle setting as the horses head is slightly higher, and may stop it bucking! If the horse dislikes it a first (quite a few do) persavere (sp??!), as the pessoa cannot come off or get tangled - and they get used to it quite quickly!!!

 

[Irish_horse]

Wow thank you all so much for your replies, can't thank you enough, fantastic! Shes ordered it online, i found a foreign site selling them for €37.50! Others went as high as €150, thankfully they ship to european countries. Sounds great anyway!

 

[Governor]

I posted these elsewhere but thought you might want to see what effect it has.
Warming up without Pessoa attached.

Standing...Excuse him munching on the lunge rope!

And working with it attatched.

 

[Irish_horse]

Brilliant photos, thank G!! Hate to be a pest, but if you get a chance sometime could you take some close-up photos of the lowest setting, just so i can get an idea of how to fit it. If not no worries. Does the pessoa come with fitting instructions by any chance? Said horse had his back checked by mctimony chiropractor, all sorts up with the poor boy, has some time off now & he can start walking in hand on sunday and shes been given stretches to do with him aswell. Chiropractor thought pessoa would be brilliant for him when he's ready, so positive enough! Thanks again for your help!!

 

[Seahorse]

nice pictures, but I always put my pessoa through the bottom rings of the roller so its not dangling down like yours is. Your horse clearly doesn't mind but I worried that Axel would put his legs through it

 

[Irish_horse]

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