What do you think of Lunging in a Pessoa

boomchakawowi

boomchakawowi

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I have a 7 year old TB, and am training him up for dressage, (basic stuff really), he is still a little bit weak from behind and could do with building up some muscle on his hind quarters and across his back, I do hack out and do hill work. One of the girls at my stables recommnded using a pessoa on him to help balancing him and strengthing his back and hind quarters, I would generally only lunge once maybe twice weekly, I would just like to know your thoughts and experiences on using a Pessoa. I do have someone at the yard who can fit it correctly for me to begin with
 
I, personally, don't like them and havn't had a horse go nicely in them but I know alot of people on the forum swear by them.

I like the action of a Chambon or De Gogue more. I think it is a milder action and encourages them to go low and low without forcing them into a false position. By going low and low you are stretching the entire top line and they really use their bum to step under themselves. I found it had great results when I used it and the De Gogue has the advantage of allowing you to ride using it which you cant do with other training devices.
 
Hate them! Fixes a horse in a position and some horses tense up with the sheepskin round their back end. It's too time consuming as well.

I love the Kavalkade as it's quick and easy to use and without fail every horse I have lunged in it goes much better than when using a Pessoa.

At the end of the day it is upto the person lungeing to make sure the horse is working properly from behind rather than relying on one of those contraptions to do the work for them!
 
I really don't like them.

However, I've seen them used where the people don't really understand what they are doing (imagine nose on chest on a 10m circle). I think they are too easily misused. I'm sure if used correctly they can do a lot of god, but I haven't seen that.

As an alternative what about the draw rein arrangement (lots of threads on that!) that's what I use and it's excellent - really encourages them to work through and over their backs :)
 
I'm the opposite and love the Pessoa and hate the draw reins set up!

Like anything the Pessoa is very good when fitted / used correctly and has been a very useful piece of kit for many amatuer and professional yards for many years.
 
I was recommended a pessoa from the vet when my boy injured his back. It was fantastic put the muscle on with him soriming in the right places and made his may of going much more fluent and correct without fixing him.

The pessoa can be adjusted to workin in three ways so you can find a way to fix it to your horses requirements.

Would recommend over draw reins and sidereins anyday :)
 
i swear by my passoa. if used properly its fantastic for building up the correct muscles and building up strength in the back. i love it i love it i love it :)
 
I love my pessoa! I use it on a variety of horses but it is especially good at getting them to work long and low over their backs.
 
They are great as long as you know what you are doing and get help fitting it, my friend uses hers on her jumpers and they look fab
 
I think they work wonders. I bought a copy from Eileen Douglas Tackshops for £39.95! Its as good as the original and half the price!
 
I've always got on with my pessoa fine. I certainly prefer it more than using side reins. I don't use it for more than 20 minutes once a week, and I have it fitted correctly so that my horse is able to work comfortably.
All the problems I've seen have been caused by people having them done up too tightly.

I've not tried the kavalkade but I like the idea. Where can you get them from though?
 
wonkey_donkey said:
I'm the opposite and love the Pessoa and hate the draw reins set up!

Like anything the Pessoa is very good when fitted / used correctly and has been a very useful piece of kit for many amatuer and professional yards for many years.
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Ditto! I wouldn't lunge WITHOUT a Pessoa - except for a baby learning to lunge. If I JUST want to exercise, then I loose school! Obviously they HAVE to be correctly adjusted - initially a little on the loose side. But nothing else encourages forward movement, and a rounder outline as kindly - and effectively!
 
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