The difference between a pessoa and a chambon.

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SAL66

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I lunge in side reins a couple of times a week, he tracks up well but his he working effectively from behind?
When I have finished lunging he walks and trots with no gadgets on to encourage him to stretch down, he doesn't do this, well, not very much.

Being on a livery yard I'm offered a lot of advice by people who mean well, but alot of it is conflicting and I am confused as to just keep lunging in side reins and then nothing and he will learn to relax and stretch down as time goes on, or do I try one of the above, I've heard that a chambon can encourage long and low on the lunge, but that may be incorrect.

So what could I use?

He can stretch down, he's fantastic with carrot stretches, he has unfortunately been ridden badly and we also suspect kept in the stable with draw reins on, so streching down isn't a natural thing for him.
 
My horse is similar. I had a pessoa but didn't like it as he just learned to shrink inside it, also the action is still on the mouth itself (as with side reins) and so I feel tends to encourage the not so willing horses to tuck their nose in.
I use a chambon on my boy as I don't care where his nose is (in fact I'd rather he take the bit forwards) just as long as he is stretching over his back and using his back end.
 
Yes that is my thinking about using a chambon, as long as he is stretching over his back and using his back end the position of his head at this stage is not important.

Thanks for the reply, I think I will buy a chambon and see how we get on.
 
Huge difference! The pessoa tends to yank them in the mouth with the hind leg, so other than strapping your horse down into a pleasing shape I cannot see its benefit. Unless you are of the roll kur fraternity that believe the horse must maintain an outline no matter what.....

I also hate sides reins, or any device that yanks them in the mouth if they trip or stumble.

The chambon is great for building up the back muscles, ideal for babies as they can trip and regain their balance with no punishment. Think about it if you horse stumbles, you generally give with the reins, not sock them in the gob (unless you are German and on a certain St Georg video...)

This wesbite has good insight into gadgets:
http://www.sustainabledressage.net
 
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