Using Pessoa on 4 year old

WelshD said:
I have heard that these are popular in showing circles http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cotton-Lu...t=UK_Horse_Wear_Equipment&hash=item3f44d78b7d

I make a similar thing with draw reins and have used a tail bandage around the quarters to a roller (no jabbing in mouth) and would use that on a four year old personally (my pony is five now)

Pony hated the Pessoa so much he stropped and rolled in it so I didn't press the issue
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Laura Bechtolsheimer uses something similar and I do too on my mare. I think her version is elasticated, I just made one cutting up an old lunge line and tied clips to the end, I left some extra length so I can adjust it.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqUJzNVPp9w

http://www.perfectpiaffe.co.uk/kava...-dont-include-a-cover-in-the-price-5992-p.asp

ETA: I use it directly on the headcollar
 
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nickib I find the same with Frank, albeit in a headcollar, have used side reins and the becholsteimer set up with draw reins. I do also lunge with 2 reins/interspersed with long reining but I think he still works better naked, and knows 'stretch'! But- he is naturally round and has reasonable self carriage so am not sure with something that is a bit more clueless/missing correct muscle.
 
ester said:
nickib I find the same with Frank, albeit in a headcollar, have used side reins and the becholsteimer set up with draw reins. I do also lunge with 2 reins/interspersed with long reining but I think he still works better naked, and knows 'stretch'! But- he is naturally round and has reasonable self carriage so am not sure with something that is a bit more clueless/missing correct muscle.
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I think they just learn to relax into that shape which is brilliant for stretching out the whole of their back and neck. I liken it to pilates. :) I do work Cam with just a head collar as well. Here he is with one of his biggest fans, a young girl from the yard my instructor owns and where Cam goes for my holidays. Hannah (who has learning disabilities) simply adores Cam, and is brilliant with the horses. Here she is lunging him when she came for a visit. :)

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Thanks for the response, he's currently lunged in lose side reins. He's perfect and responds really well to voice commands ect and is relaxed in himself but I just can't get him to stretch down, but saying that I lunged him yesterday in the snow and he spent half the time nose down wondering what it was so I really praised him for it, hopefully he'll get it one day lol! Will do some more research into the Laura bechelstiemer thingy! :)
 
MyDogIsAnIdiot said:
+1.

Hate Pessoas - they're the quickest way to teach a horse that any hock movement will jab them in the mouth.

If you want long and low have a look at a chambon - much more forgiving and can help a horse learn to lower its head. Or just keep working until the horse can carry and balance itself.
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Same. If you want him using his back end more then concentrate on exercises that will get him using his back end - forget about the front!
 
Carrots&Mints said:
Thanks for the response, he's currently lunged in lose side reins. He's perfect and responds really well to voice commands ect and is relaxed in himself but I just can't get him to stretch down, but saying that I lunged him yesterday in the snow and he spent half the time nose down wondering what it was so I really praised him for it, hopefully he'll get it one day lol! Will do some more research into the Laura bechelstiemer thingy! :)
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Honestly, see my post above - the side reins were loose - they were saggy, but it isn't the same. Good luck. x
 
I think it is possibly also important to remember that they have to be moving forwards sufficiently to take the stretch (well mine does :p).
 
windand rain said:
It depends on what you want from your horse if you want a horse that buries itself onto the forehand and is down hill and unbalanced use a gadget as that is what most do if you want an uphill light and responsive ride coming through from behind then school your horse from the saddle and with a good instructor there are no short cuts that do not damage the horse whatever its age
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Like.
 
Carrots&Mints said:
Thanks for the response, he's currently lunged in lose side reins. He's perfect and responds really well to voice commands ect and is relaxed in himself but I just can't get him to stretch down, but saying that I lunged him yesterday in the snow and he spent half the time nose down wondering what it was so I really praised him for it, hopefully he'll get it one day lol! Will do some more research into the Laura bechelstiemer thingy! :)
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Can I just ask why you feel he needs the loose side reins?
 
ester said:
I think it is possibly also important to remember that they have to be moving forwards sufficiently to take the stretch (well mine does :p).
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I totally agree with this. But then I never see the point in either letting a horse slop around on the lunge (they are meant to be working after all), or charging round which is next to useless as well. :) x
 
I detest Pessoas - in fact any type of gadget - particularly on a young horse. Your horse needs to learn to balance himself, not be forced into a false frame.
 
Carrots&Mints said:
Bottom ring on roller
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And is that exactly where your hands will be when you're riding him? Because unless you can put your hands in the same place as the side reins, and they act the same way as side reins do, you're not really teaching him about contact when ridden, only contact in side reins, and the muscles he's developing will only be for the side reins, not for ridden work. When you get on him he will still have to learn about contact from your hands and he'll have to develop new muscles for a new way of going. There is so much you can do with a young horse to prepare and improve him for riding, without using any training aids at all.
 
ridefast said:
And is that exactly where your hands will be when you're riding him? Because unless you can put your hands in the same place as the side reins, and they act the same way as side reins do, you're not really teaching him about contact when ridden, only contact in side reins, and the muscles he's developing will only be for the side reins, not for ridden work. When you get on him he will still have to learn about contact from your hands and he'll have to develop new muscles for a new way of going. There is so much you can do with a young horse to prepare and improve him for riding, without using any training aids at all.
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Okay any suggestions on how to get him stretching low without using any training aids ?
 
Carrots&Mints said:
Okay any suggestions on how to get him stretching low without using any training aids ?
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Well first of all don't worry about him stretching low. If your horse can graze he knows how to stretch low. A good stretch needs to come from a raised forehand, and engaged back end, so you need to start with basic schooling exercises http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=054TKKDYT4337BAGHH7H
This is a really good book to begin with, as others have suggested work over poles help, but as he's young don't forget to make it fun! Horse agility is good for them as it's all good exercises as well as getting them used to stuff they will see when ridden, in hand hacking up hills, asking him to yield his haunches and shoulders, see if you can get it to the point where you can think about one foot moving and he'll move, getting him responsive to you is getting him light, and getting him light is getting him in the position to move any part of himself without resistance.
 
ridefast said:
And is that exactly where your hands will be when you're riding him? Because unless you can put your hands in the same place as the side reins, and they act the same way as side reins do, you're not really teaching him about contact when ridden, only contact in side reins, and the muscles he's developing will only be for the side reins, not for ridden work. When you get on him he will still have to learn about contact from your hands and he'll have to develop new muscles for a new way of going. There is so much you can do with a young horse to prepare and improve him for riding, without using any training aids at all.
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This IMO. I used a copy Pessoa on my mare last summer whilst I was pregnant and not riding, in conjunction with my instructor schooling her 3 times per week also. The Pessoa was used on settings relevant to her level at the time, and built up gradually along with her muscle. The settings it was on mimicked as close as possible to that which the rider's hands would normally be at. It reallly helped in bringing her fitness and strength up. Though the only thing I would say is that there is a possibility it can cause a horse to fall onto the forehand, but then a lot of training aids do that anyway. You've just got to be aware of that when lunging and try to do exercises to prevent it. I generally hate training aids though, and I would avoid using them on a 4 yr old if possible in all honesty.
 
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