Video of my horse lunging...have a giggle!

No interest in posting anything bitchy, but will comment on the video.

OP I'm afraid your horse is not happy on that Pessoa. It isn't a spook that sends him into a buck, he did it twice before (I think on being asked to go more forward) I'd agree its restrictive, but I've actually gone off using this sort of training aid (it was the only thing I did use) as I've seen a few horses develop hind limb problems when being worked in them, Possibly as a result of existing low grade injury already present, or due to incorrect use (chicken or egg situ really) . Either way I'd be concerned your lovely horse is headed that way.

Off the original topic, but as others have commented re being a professional. I actually think its very difficult, because you don't realise how little you know until later in life (I think OP said she was 23?)
I left school at 16, and worked part time for an eventer whilst also picking up other work, and doing my BHS exams at local college.
I got loads of work! By the time I was 18 I was running my own yard, competing and selling horses for people, teaching etc. I'm sure I made loads of mistakes! I look back now and cringe at some of the things I thought were right. I never did use gadgets, but they were less "fashionable" at that time, and for some reason I was always quite anti and quite horse observant.

My point is we can all sit here and see, quite clearly, there is a problem with this being professional service. Im sure when I was 16, plenty of people thought the same of me. I'm sure there's many people on here who receive these horses at the other end of the scale, when a physical or behavioural problem is ingrained.

But it's very normal, and there is no regulation, our industry is so unprofessional, something I lament frequently.
There's also very little opportunity for training, to be honest my BHS exams didn't teach me good or bad production of horses.
And no one came up to me and said " woah, hang on a minute. No ones really taught you how to do this have they - what are you actually trying to achieve with this horse, cos at the minute, you're setting it up to fail"
So I feel a bit sorry for the OP, because I doubt she is meaning any harm, she just doesn't know :/ and as a "pro" all your clients think you're great, so it doesn't often occur to you that what you've been taught (perhaps either incorrectly, or just without enough depth for differign situations) actually needs a great big review!
I realised i didnt know enough (i still dont!) and set about researching everything i could - i looked outside the box and questioned everything.
In doing so, I realised most people do not work the horse with its best interests at heart, and that put me on a very different (non bunny hugging!) route, with some very good professionals in different areas, but lost me many clients who wanted quick fixes (though many returned when they realised it wasn't helpful long term.....)

:)
 
Those of you bringing the death of her horse into this, well shame on you.

OP - i am no professional, but from looking at the video he does look as though hes trying to stretch down, and then when he cant, he bucks out in frustration. I would suggest you get someone experienced in to help you.


As for having your own business, well good on you. You seem to have fab facilities. Although, i think some people on here may well have a point about your level of expertise on the video, and charging for such services. But no harm whatsoever in my opinion in charging for liveries.

But dont be put off. I know you havent come on here asking for advice about your business, but you do seem to have opened a can of worms.

Good luck with the livery yard.
 
I really think this thread has turned into a rather ugly witch hunt.

Regardless of one's opinion of the original video, and whether it represents good horsemanship or not, I do not think the OP has warranted having every single youtube video she has ever posted hunted out and ripped to shreds.

This isn't an example of horrific abuse by a long stretch of the imagination - I think some perspective is needed here!
 
Judging from some of the comments in the first few pages of this thread, it is not only the OP who doesn't know how to work a horse in a pessoa.

It is not a funny video to watch; it is actually quite sad to see a horse worked like this, Unfortunately it is not unusual.

What a lot of people tend to miss, or ignore, is that horses have to be able to stretch their frame, lower their head, lift their back, and move forward unrestricted, before they can step under themselves and track up. If the trainer allows that to happen, by fitting the pessoa according to the horse's level of fitness and, more importantly, his ability to carry himself with balance and impulsion, then he will naturally round himself and work well.

Fitting a pessoa incorrectly, ie, too tightly, will cause the horse to hollow his back, which in turn shortens his fore action, prevents him from stepping under himself, and makes impulsion impossible. This all comes from restricting his ability to extend his neck and head forward and down.

If his is sent on by a trainer who doesn't understand all this, and who regards him as an idiot for his responses to his discomfort from the restrictions on him, his only recourse is to resist, which is what the horse in the video is doing.
 
The video is very uncomfortable to watch. It's the first time I've seen a pessoa being used, and I have to say I hate the way it is restricting him in the front, and then banging on his back end. I presume it isn't fitted right, but I don't know about them. He is constantly looking at the exit and wanting to "escape". THAT is when he throws in the bucks.

Not good, OP.
 
tallyho! said:
My full opinion on the matter is that the horse is very tight in its neck, poll and sacroiliac joint.

The is no tracking up, the horse is not supple nor is it through in its body. The Pessoa is far too tight in front and there is no stretching of the neck. If you think lowering the head is stretching then, perhaps think again.

It does not swing it's shoulders forward as it cannot due to the restrictive action of the Pessoa. I think it's probably the worst I have ever seen a Pessoa being used. It's is basically compressing the horse into itself... Not allowing any impulsion from the back at all. A very restrictive picture all in all.

And if that is how this horse supposedly is all of the time, then, it's even sadder. The horse may have a strong back now, but that will not last if it is not allowed to stretch and flex. He is very on the forehand but looks like it is trying to elevate the front end and can't. That's why the back end can bounce up and down like that as most of the horses weight is in front.
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I am sorry RCP Equestrian I have to agree with Tally Ho and the others who say this is not a happy horse. I am in no doubt that you love your horse but I do not understand why it is neccessary to use these gadgets and not spend time training correctly. Please have a look at this video and the case study of this horse.
http://dianefollowell.vpweb.co.uk/TRAINING-RIDERS.html
 
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Well if 'bitching' means that a horse may be spared the type of treatment seen in the video then so be it! And yes, I do think its concerning that somebody calls themselves professional yet they leave a dying horse overnight before getting a vet
 
Shysmum said:
The video is very uncomfortable to watch. It's the first time I've seen a pessoa being used, and I have to say I hate the way it is restricting him in the front, and then banging on his back end. I presume it isn't fitted right, but I don't know about them. He is constantly looking at the exit and wanting to "escape". THAT is when he throws in the bucks.

Not good, OP.
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Whilst this isn't the best pic in the world, it gives an indication of a Pessoa being used a little better. She will typically stretch down and round even further than the pic shows.

5123a7c28897ee30d0c50d82f38a92c6.jpg
 
What does this horse have to do before people realise he's unhappy and uncomfortable? Turn around and speak English? His ears are back, he's bucking out at the pessoa and his head looks in an uncomfortable position. Seriously how can he communicate any more obviously that he's not happy!
 
Goodshipblossom said:
What does this horse have to do before people realise he's unhappy and uncomfortable? Turn around and speak English? His ears are back, he's bucking out at the pessoa and his head looks in an uncomfortable position. Seriously how can he communicate any more obviously that he's not happy!
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Agree no point getting involved anymore
 
Poppyanderson, your pessoa is fitted on a lower ring than the op which is what I suggested before I was jumped on! The pessoa is fitted correctly but on this horse having it on the higher ring is restricting the hind leg and making him tight through the back.again what I stated originally.
 
This thread makes me appreciate my equiami! It's alot easier to fit and there's no fixed points. Wud b interested to see this horse in one
 
Although I did'nt like watching the video, the horse looks so uncomfortable, and is being very restricted, so his back end is going up to tell you, knowhere else for him to go imo, I would'nt stoop so low to bring the ops deceased horse into the equation, those that have, shame on you !! And op, I would seriosly think about doing some stretching and low work with him !
 
little_critter said:
I've never used a Pessoa and don't know how to fit one but even I can see I would want that horse stretching and swinging more (bless him he tries to stretch but can't because of the Pessoa). He can't track up and move forward because he's hitting a brick wall.
Although I don't agree with turning private detective and posting OPs other videos on here, nor do I feel comfortable with the death of her mare being dredged up again.
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Agree! I don't like the pessoa from what I've seen, but I think this horse would produce some nice work for the OP when they aren't using it.

Can't stand the private detective work either!
 
I also agree with the disgraceful tone of many posters on this thread. Have you seriously not got better things to do than travel the web for videos.
Bringing the death of the horse into it is disgusting.
So she put the pessoa on too tight. So what, hardly rspca abuse !. None of her horses look beaten or under fed. Honestly.
 
mandwhy said:
Agree! I don't like the pessoa from what I've seen, but I think this horse would produce some nice work for the OP when they aren't using it.

Can't stand the private detective work either!
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The linked video went on automatically to show other videos of the horse. Not much detective work needed.:confused:

It's pretty basic stuff isn't it that you don't hang on to the horses mouth to keep your own balance riding or over jumps?

The horses head is so high and "tight" because from what I watched he's trying to protect his mouth.
 
charlie76 said:
Poppyanderson, your pessoa is fitted on a lower ring than the op which is what I suggested before I was jumped on! The pessoa is fitted correctly but on this horse having it on the higher ring is restricting the hind leg and making him tight through the back.again what I stated originally.
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Agree, thats the beauty of the Pessoa, I also agree that in this instance it is too tight, so the horse is being blocked, but Rolkur it most certainly is not.

Am a little gobsmacked at this thread tbh, yes the horse is uncomfortable but does the OP really deserve all this vitriol?
 
You're right - I wouldn't like that but then I don't claim to be a professional horsewoman capable of schooling other people's horses. Get some perspective and context and people's comments might start to make a bit more sense.

I don't think anyone has stepped way over the line here. People have seen some videos and some people have said that they don't like the standard of riding (I haven't if you care to look back so nothing in it for me).
 
Billie1007 said:
You're right - I wouldn't like that but then I don't claim to be a professional horsewoman capable of schooling other people's horses. Get some perspective and context and people's comments might start to make a bit more sense.

I don't think anyone has stepped way over the line here. People have seen some videos and some people have said that they don't like the standard of riding (I haven't if you care to look back so nothing in it for me).
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think the people bringing up the death of her horse and shiny lorries are bellow the belt.
 
Wigwam_bam said:
I don't know the horse, so i couldn't possibly say, and i can't make a interpretation from a minute long video of a horse on a lunge.

I feel the way people are scrutinising (Sp?) her other videos, bringing up the death of her mare and generally posting from their high-horses (No pun intended ;) ) is just cruel, and i would like to see what would happen if it was them being treated the same way if they posted a video of their horse/themselves riding.
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I guess this comes back to my earlier comment that I don't know what the horse has to do to communicate that it's unhappy. But we can agree to disagree.
 
My god some of you are pathetic.

I agree with the fact the original video is far from amusing, and it's disappointing that a professional believes this is correct.

However that is absolutely no reason for the witch hunt and subsequent abuse this women has received. I presume most of us are adults, and I doubt most of you'd behave like this to her face so please stop hiding behind an Internet persona so you can take out your frustrations on someone else you don't know.
 
It is sad that so much of this generated energy can't be re-directed to help horses in the UK who REALLY need it. The welfare posts seem to get barely any replies. :( Just a random thought.
 
It just makes me so sad. The post about the ponies found in Wales barely caused a trickle of interest, the rescue centers are over flowing, once loved ponies are being to sent to god knows where, to be killed god knows how - and end up in Tesco.. Breeding is out of control, passporting :(
 
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Shysmum said:
It just makes me so sad. The post about the ponies found in Wales barely caused a trickle of interest, the rescue centers are over flowing, once loved ponies are being to sent to god knows where, to be killed god knows how - and end up in Tesco.. Breeding is out of control, passporting ...I just do not get HHO's sometimes :(
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Commenting on someones post doesn't mean you don't care about the Redwings situation. I'm not one to post to say "I've donated" even when I have. I would love to adopt a couple from Redwings, sadly I live in the wrong area.
 
I'm sorry, didn't mean it to come across like that ! It's just that it seems the posts that generate the most interest are the ones that turn like this one has.
 
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