Hi Everyone,

I am getting a coming 3 year old Appendix filly vetted (YAY!) and was wondering if anyone had thoughts or opinions on the Pessoa Lunging System?  Has anyone here used it?  I feel like it would be a much better option than just a surcingle and side reins, as it helps the horse understand how to use himself rather than just work on giving to the bit. 

I'd love to hear anyone's experiences with it, pros and cons! 

We use the pessoa on a few horses at my barn. The pessoa is a great tool in the right hands and a bad tool in the wrong hands. What i've noticed is that horses tend to take a few times to get accostomed to the Pessoa. Your horse will probably try to evade it for the first 4-5 times but soon get the general idea. Ive lunged a few horses in the pessoa but never personally used the pessoa on Vodka bacuase I never found a need to use it. Im  sure others will have more pros or cons.  

Thanks!  I expect probably a bit of resistance at first from her being unsure of what it is, but am hoping that it will work well.  She is a lovely mover and I just want to help build her up properly without losing any of the natural impulsion she has.  :-)   Thanks!!

Your welcome. Good Luck with your new horse!!! 

Hi there,

I was reading an article about it stating that because of the strap that comes behing the hind legs. the horse gets a jab on the mouth with each step he takes. Here's the article - though you need to scroll down to find the one about pessoa:

http://www.sustainabledressage.com/tack/gadgets.php

It makes sense but bear in mind that I've never used one before.

Good luck with your filly!

Ok, you asked for opinions/experiences, so......mine's a little different.  I personally have a very strong dislike for all those "balancing system" thingys -- basically, look at how the ropes work.  Everytime a horse's bum muscles move, he gets punished with uneven pressure on the bit.  All this teaches him is how to stop getting tugged in the mouth by setting his head in such a way that the rope doesn't get him.  He's not learning how to use impulsion in his back end at all.  IMHO, I'd throw all of them in the trash as the gimmicks they are -- I'm sure if you strap a horse into it, you'll see him going around in an outline pretty quick -- because he doesn't want to keep getting pulled on.  I have to give them credit for convincing people that they should pay $150 for a piece of rope that says Pessoa on it though....  

I'm not anti-tool, and I love using a loose set of side reins to help my horse build his topline while on the longe.  Spend your money on a nice bridle or something instead.

Thanks!

Thanks, that is a very valid point.  I will have to look into it more.  I will probably just go with side reins, but thought I would get opinions on this contraption

Personaly, I hate all gatets execpt for martingales. Things like them just teach horses to go on the bit wrong so they develop their mucels wrong and they can ever put the horse in pain!