Pessoas / Harbridges - good or bad opinions?

[Ahrena]

Just wondering people's opinions about them.

Someone recommended I start lunging Lacey in them to encourage her to work lower and from behind, but she's so often behind the bit anyway because she was tied up in draw reins or some other training "aid" before I got her that I'm a little reluctant?

Just some opinions, would appreciated. Thanks

 

[Fattie_Hattie]

i used a harbrige on hattie for a while it helped her develop the topline muscle to help her carry herself better.
And now she works lovely

 

[kerilli]

the only gadget i will use is a chambon, because it has a very obvious action - if the horse raises its head, the chambon comes into play, and if it lowers it, it releases, so they usually learn very quickly where to go.
i've used them on lots of horses and only ever found 2 that it didn't work beautifully on... one was an ex-racer who stuck his head in the air and absolutely refused to lower it, he was built like a giraffe anyway and had never been worked low or in an outline. he wouldn't give in, and eventually i went back to teaching him from the saddle. the other was an ex-racer who tucked his nose in behind the action and refused to go to it - another one that needed showing by the rider. all other horses i've used it on, have responded really well, fwiw.
i don't like Pessoas, although i know a lot of people swear by them... i've watched them being used, and it seems to me that every stride the horse takes, with his hindlegs, he socks himself in the mouth. i've never used a harbridge - i thought they were for ridden work, actually? could be mistaken though.
if you want to use a gadget, i'd try a chambon first, tbh.

 

[meggull]

Personally I like Pessoas as they improve muscle and balance but they have to be fitted correctly- they should not pull the horse in the mouth if they are fitted properly. Also in my opinon the Pessoa copies tend not to work as well as the orginal so I would spend the money on a original. Others may have found copies that are great but I havent been so lucky!

I have used a Harbridge before, but I find them rather fixed with little give which I didn't like but have only used when riding.