What are your thoughts on using a pessoa?

[Ellietotz]

As above! I'm interested to know everyone's thoughts on them!

 

[ycbm]

I will not put a gadget on my horse that has a direct connection between its mouth and its hind legs.

.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

As above! I'm interested to know everyone's thoughts on them!

Used them for two of my horses with good success, but latest mare uses side reins down at chiros request. Would still use it on any future horses, as seen good lunge sessions with them providing fitted correctly

 

[milliepops]

Not for me for the same reason as ycbm.

 

[Cortez]

Me neither (a la YCBM & Milliepops); anything that contrives to sock the horse in the mouth at every stride has no place in a civilised system of training.

 

[daffy44]

I will not put a gadget on my horse that has a direct connection between its mouth and its hind legs.

.

Absolutely not, for the reason above. As the name suggests it was designed by a show jumper, for show jumpers, and it teaches the horse to sit behind the contact, often show jumpers like that, so it works for them, but I want the horse to confidently take the contact forward. I also just dont like the hind leg, mouth connection as ycbm said.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Me neither too, completely agree with Cortez, ycbm and MP on its action.

 

[be positive]

Plus 1, for the reasons already given.

 

[PapaverFollis]

Yup. What they said. I've used a chambon under instruction from a physio but avoid gadgets if at all possible.

 

[sherry90]

Agree with above and also because it looks an absolute faff (non technical term!) to put together vs the time to tack up or put a simple lunge cavesson on.

 

[Fools Motto]

Not a gadget fan either, but do as I'm told when customers wish to use them on their horses.

 

[TPO]

Don't

Rarely (read as never) seen one fitted and used correctly (correct in context, I dont think a pesoa is ever correct) either.

As well as screwing up the front end the pulley system means it works as a muscle tap on hind legs that can result in an over rotation of the pelvis.

I think it was H&H that did an article on lunging gadgets, years ago now, complete with photographs. It clearly showed the negative impact that it had.

So many vets and therapists recommend them as part of a rehab plan ? but thankfully they seem to be falling out of fashion.

 

[scats]

Ycbm took the words out of my mouth.

 

[FestiveFuzz]

Agree with all of the above and generally not a fan of gadgets so it’s a no from me.

 

[PapaverFollis]

The physio that had me using a chambon HATED pessoas. She had a very good rant about them!

 

[HelenBack]

I used to use one but don't anymore for all the reasons mentioned above. My horse goes best in a plain headcollar and that's the least faff too!

 

[Ellietotz]

Wow, thank you all! This might be a question for another thread but how would you get a horse to engage it's hind quarters better? My mare has very short strides, always has and I'd like to get her to actually bring her back end underneath herself properly and track up. She moves like a western pleasure horse in trot otherwise! Although, at 15yo I'm probably too late but hey ho!

 

[SOS]

Nope. It’s impossible for the horse to ‘succeed’ with a Pessoa on and watching them in action makes me cringe.

Long reins and poles is how I lunge.

 

[TPO]

Lunge/long rein with two reins, polework and hill work.

Assuming no underlying issues with backend/hocks then look to work on developing and strengthening abdominal muscles so that horse is strong enough to lift back, engage core and bring shingles under and through.

Perhaps add some exercises/stretches into the faily routine too like belly lifts and...bleugh, just had a complete blank....when you stand behind the horse at the tail and run your fingers down the quarters hitting the trigger points to make the back lift ??‍ total blank but hopefully you know what I mean ?

 

[PapaverFollis]

Pelvic tucks?

 

[Ellietotz]

Lunge/long rein with two reins, polework and hill work.

Assuming no underlying issues with backend/hocks then look to work on developing and strengthening abdominal muscles so that horse is strong enough to lift back, engage core and bring shingles under and through.

Perhaps add some exercises/stretches into the faily routine too like belly lifts and...bleugh, just had a complete blank....when you stand behind the horse at the tail and run your fingers down the quarters hitting the trigger points to make the back lift ??‍ total blank but hopefully you know what I mean ?

I had extensive investigations done with her but nothing was ever found although vitamin e and treating her like a pssm horse seemed to sort out her all over muscle soreness. All we do is hack so we are doing hill work literally all the time, its rarely ever flat ground and not for long if there is. Her field is slightly sloped as well. When she goes all "arab" in the field, she has no problem tracking up then, she looks beautiful!
I know the belly lift exercises you mean, I tried one once under the belly and she was not a fan!
I can do more pole work with her but I just don't know how to get her to extend her naturally stumpy strides when ridden and I'm not sure if I would even know if she is doing it or not when I'm on! ?

 

[PapaverFollis]

In-hand lateral work. Pole work. If you lunge at a slow trot and stay in close, using a long schooling whip rather than lunge whip, you can influence the inside hind to step more under I find. I struggle to explain that in words thought.

 

[Ellietotz]

In-hand lateral work. Pole work. If you lunge at a slow trot and stay in close, using a long schooling whip rather than lunge whip, you can influence the inside hind to step more under I find. I struggle to explain that in words thought.

I understand! Thank you. Would doing exercises like this naturally make her do it under saddle or not? I have seen you can get those saddle pads with the attachment for the bit that goes behind their legs like a pessoa, are they any good?

 

[fabbydo]

I just don't get them. Who would want the front end physically attached to the back end?

 

[PapaverFollis]

I understand! Thank you. Would doing exercises like this naturally make her do it under saddle or not? I have seen you can get those saddle pads with the attachment for the bit that goes behind their legs like a pessoa, are they any good?

It all develops the muscles needed to do it under saddle too. I've found it translates well. In my very limited experience.

 

[Ellietotz]

I just don't get them. Who would want the front end physically attached to the back end?

I mean, it does go loose and releases any pressure when the head is down in the correct position so it's not exactly strapped down but it does pull if their head goes up. I still don't like gadgets that force them to put their heads like that though. I am learning though so can someone tell me why that is a bad thing please if there is no pressure when the head is lowered?

 

[Tihamandturkey]

Awful contraption ?

 

[indie1282]

Would never use one for all the reasons stated above.

 

[ycbm]

I mean, it does go loose and releases any pressure when the head is down in the correct position so it's not exactly strapped down but it does pull if their head goes up. I still don't like gadgets that force them to put their heads like that though. I am learning though so can someone tell me why that is a bad thing please if there is no pressure when the head is lowered?

If the hind leg goes out too far behind, it socks them in the teeth even if the head is down.

It teaches them to duck back from the contact so it can't happen. Some also learn to scuttle with their bum tucked under like their wearing wet nappy, for the same reason.

.

 

[windand rain]

I hate them every horse I have seen in one has been dragging itself along on its forehand and looked fairly distressed Every operator using one has smuggly gone on and on about how well the horse is going and how much they are forward and carrying themselves when it was evident they were leaning and on the forehand. There is no substitute for correct ridden work an correct developement. So my opinion is vile useless and potentially damaging