Ways to improve the topline...

[CastleMouse]

Just wondering what you guys would recommend for improving Castle's topline, as it definitely needs to be improved. He's currently being lunged once a week in a chambon, and schooled about 3 times a week

All advice appreciated

 

[druid]

Lunge in a pessoa?

 

[RachelB]

I use a Pessoa and lots and lots of hillwork.

 

[CastleMouse]

They are quite pricey though

Are the homemade ones tricky to make??

 

[sunny123]

You can get cheap copies off ebay, just look around and make sure they have all the adjustments. Also, polework, strapping and generally riding in an outline.

 

[frannieuk]

The homemade ones are really easy - Druid has a sticky on the stableads forum here with the pics etc

 

[elliefiz]

buy a rip off pessoa off ebay they are v cheap!!wouldnt try a home made one to be honest might be quite difficult to make.

 

[FMM]

Def suggest trying the pessoa - the ebay ones are absolutely fine. obviously correct work in the school and hill work also help, but lunging in the pessoa ensures that the right muscles are definitely being used!

 

[Gentle_Warrior]

[ QUOTE ]
The homemade ones are really easy - Druid has a sticky on the stableads forum here with the pics etc

[/ QUOTE ]

just looked at this - is cool - but would not attempt myself - I am bad enough wrapping xmas prezzies !!!!!

 

[SouthWestWhippet]

My mare had no topline but hers is much better now. I recommend lots and lots of hill work including sloooooooow trotting up hills and walking out down hill. I also worked her long and low all the time for months... it takes a while to see results but I am just getting to the stage where I look at my horse and think 'yep, looks good'

 

[sammys ma]

hmmmmmmmm,,,,,,,what does one do when based in Cambs, which doesn't have a hill in sight!!! ;0))))

 

[sunny123]

What does one do when based in devon and doesnt have a single flat patch to school on? swapsies?

 

[MillionDollar]

I made my pessoa, it cost all of nothing!

I always save old lead rope clips etc, and just used some rope.

 

[Parkranger]

double line lunging - personally prefer it to the pessoa as you can give clear signals from behind with the line around their bum (although I've only seen pessoa's used and not used one myself)

Lots and lots of hillwork in walk/trot.....