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Post by dancer on Jul 17, 2009 12:17:42 GMT
We have a pony, who, due to previous back problems, has never worked properly through his back & as a result his muscles have contracted - he now needs to be worked long & low to slowly stretch them. It has been suggested that we try him in a Pessoa but I've never used one & don't want to get it wrong! Are they easy to fit? Is it easy to use? Would it help him to stretch downwards? Is there an alternative that anyone would suggest/recommed?
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Post by sageandonion on Jul 17, 2009 15:02:23 GMT
I have one and used it once under the supervision of a friend who uses it all the time for lunging. She loves it, but I really couldn't be bothered with the faffing around and it didn't seem to work very well on my mare.
Lot's of people swear by them and I think if you use it a few times it is easy to put on. It is just I prefer conventional lunging or lunging/long reining with two lines.
I asked my physio about it and she doesn't like them, but lots do so I think it is one of those things that you need to try for yourself.
See if you can borrow one as they are quite expensive though the cheaper ones seem just as good.
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Post by dancer on Jul 17, 2009 16:27:15 GMT
Thanks - my experienced friend doesn't like them at all so can't really ask her for help as she will tell me not to bother with it!
There do seem like a lot of 'bits' to the Pessoa - I'm sure there must be something else on the market that will do the job without being so fiddly.
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Post by hollycane on Jul 17, 2009 17:45:05 GMT
Pessoas are v. good but like all training aids they are useless unless used correctly. Once you get the hang of them and have put it together a few times they are quite logical and less fiddly but it is important to use them carefully and for short periods interspersed with taking the clip off the bit to let the horse walk and trot stretching itself. Best to find someone who uses them and watch the difference. Used well it does increase the use of the back end but also crucially liting the shoulder and really working through. But again little and often especially on a horse with a previous problem. They should never be put on tight. If working correctly the horse will find the outline.
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Post by turtlepooch on Jul 17, 2009 18:50:23 GMT
Pessoas are good but again like hollycane said need to be used correctly
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penny
Junior Member
Posts: 176
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Post by penny on Jul 17, 2009 19:16:54 GMT
We use the equi-ami. It is similar to the Pessoa but they can't fix on it. Have a look on their website it explains all about it and they are very helpful if you want to talk to them.
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Post by sarah00000 on Jul 17, 2009 19:23:13 GMT
I love my Pessoa. Yes you can train your horse to work long and low, but make sure his/her back is OK before working in it.
They are a nightmare to fit the first time, so you need someone to show you. Once you have learnt how to use them, they are easy peasy.
I teach all my horses how to canter, steadily and work long and low, in a passoa, before asking them to carry a rider to canter in the same way. It has worked for all mine, but I would a) make sure you are in a good school with a secure surface. b) get a friend who knows how to fit one to help you c) be ready for some seriouse bucking, whilst they get used to it d) just do little and often to start with.
Good luck.
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Post by stormyskies on Jul 17, 2009 19:51:12 GMT
i found pessoas a nightmare to fix.
i use an equi ami and it is fantastic. cant lean or fix on it and you see the difference in 2 or 3 sessions
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Post by Twiggy on Jul 18, 2009 7:23:28 GMT
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Post by sugarcube19 on Jul 19, 2009 9:45:59 GMT
Hi what do people think of Chambons? I am looking for a way to work my hunter to build ner neck up.
Thanks
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Post by dancer on Jul 19, 2009 10:48:33 GMT
Thanks for the suggestions - have had a look at the Equi Ami & might give that a go as the company are only based 5 miles from me so hoping to be able to go & see it in action!
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penny
Junior Member
Posts: 176
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Post by penny on Jul 19, 2009 13:44:53 GMT
They will be very happy to show you. They were very helpful when I bought mine. My horse had been used to the pessoa and fixed on it. Since using the equi-ami he is much better. Confused him to begin with ;D
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Post by geegg13 on Jul 19, 2009 14:57:57 GMT
i do love the pessoa but a cambon is ace to help work long and low but only walk and trot also i don't suggest cantering in the pessoa just walk and trot and have used it on all types of horses and ponies !!!
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Post by rubyshoes1 on Jul 19, 2009 20:01:49 GMT
The equi-ami comes with a video, it is easy to fit, but I hate lunging!
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Post by sugarcube19 on Jul 21, 2009 13:00:23 GMT
With regards to the chambon im not sure how tight to go. Should the horse be in a similar outline to what you would want them to be in when ridden?
Thanks
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Post by hopeteam on Oct 24, 2009 9:35:33 GMT
Pessoa's are easy to use once you've used them a few times. Generally they get bad press from people because they havent been using them corretly, or sometimes it just does'nt suit the horse.
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sarahp
Happy to help
Posts: 9,510
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Post by sarahp on Oct 24, 2009 14:19:31 GMT
Before the days of pessoas I turned a previously damaged horse back the right way up, so to speak, by lunging him long and low using what I've only ever known as a "bungy" - a length of elastic cord which passes over the top of the head, through each bit ring and back to the girth, to start with attached as low as possible. It needs to be as long as possible, and works to encourage the horse to lower his head and seek the bit forwards, as raising it will give a certain poll pressure. In time and with increasing muscle strength it can be shortened or changed to side reins to shorten the outline. I don't like gadgets, but this particular horse had no top line whatsoever, and in anything with side reins would take his head up and back, causing the neck to go into an S bend with a break at the withers, not what is wanted! It is easy to see if you look if the correct muscles along the neck and loin are being used.
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Post by cassie30 on Oct 24, 2009 21:40:08 GMT
We have the bungy too, i would agree it has its place and you can ride with it on. It is very giving, unlike side reins, very easy to use and i think mine cost £6! Not a gadget fan either but this as i said is very giving. Never had one disagree with it.
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Post by sophie007 on Oct 28, 2009 16:17:03 GMT
yeah bungeys are great and another thing which is great fro lunging is the lungey bungy its great it keeps them reallt equal to !!!
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Post by Artistic on Nov 17, 2009 20:59:04 GMT
Rubyshoes and Penny - thank you both so much - following your advice, bought an equi-ami after doing more research on it and got great endorsements from the rehab unit at Hartbury where they have horses after serious back problems appararently. They were very pro the equi-ami and the company themselves were very helpful too. It fits my 12.2 and the dvd is brief but very helpful.
My pony has a very easy natural walk and canter but although she moves very well, her instinct is to hurry her trot and to carry her head high. After only a very few sessions, she is trotting very slowly and rythmically with her nose as close to the ground as it can be without grazing it! It is great to see her stretch like that as she is naturally so bombastic, and it's as if the "peg" which held her elbow to her sides has been released as it has opened up her movement so much, so I'm really delighted.
Thank you!
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Post by fayeandash on Nov 18, 2009 15:46:50 GMT
is there a website for the equi-ami?
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Post by JessicaT on Nov 18, 2009 18:46:07 GMT
Yes, just google their name.
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