Which setting do you use your pessoa on, and why?

[perryhillbay]

As above!

I tend to always use the setting between the front legs as it encourages her to work long and low and really swing her back, but wondered whether for topline, another setting might be more appropriate?

What do all you lot do?

 

[Nocturnal]

When just starting to use it for building topline I use it on long and low for a couple of months, then I move it up a setting, and so on. Once I'm happy with the topline and am just using the pessoa for maintenance, though, I tend to vary it within a session. I'll do 5 mins long and low, then 10 mins on a different setting etc.

 

[doris2008]

Generally my only reason for using my pessoa is for long and low work, to really stretch him out and work his muscles. I dont like the other settings much and have rarely used them.

 

[Seahorse]

I start off with it between his front legs and lunge in walk and trot for about 5 mins each side, then I move it up to the side and then work him properly doing lots of trot/canter transitions for about 5 mins each side. I then normally put it back down between his front legs again quite loose to cool him down then I take it off and walk around the school with him.

I was told that you shouldn't canter with it between the front legs on the lowest setting.

 

[3DE]

I used it higher but loose as I prefer my naturally long and low horse to come 'up'. I find having it attached to the roller (or stirrup buckles on a saddle) encourages her to lift her shoulder as well as stepping under better.

Series from a 10 minute lunging session, the first time she had a bungee on. I swapped reins twice.

I stopped shortly after this as I felt she had really lifted her back and her shoulder and started using her bum

 

[3DE]

Anyone else fancy putting pics of the different 'settings'?

 

[asterid]

Ive just got a pessoa for entirely different reasons. I use it on the second setting as my mare is naturally long and low and in the bungee or on long and low setting she steps on the elastic. (her nose is on the floor!)

I love it as my green youngster has a nasty little habit working beautifully then cantering off then suddenly dropping a shoulder and dragging me across the school. I tried working her in a small pen, which helped loads, but I actually want some productive work.

Today is the first time I've lunged her in it and she tried 4 times to do her usual trick, but was utterly dissapointed when she couldn't get away! She then huffed and worked beautifully after the fourth time then deicided to turn her head sideways, but still work lovely. (These tricks are her evasion)

A success! Mummy 1 - Naughty horse 0