Pessoa as a training aid

[sck1]

Does anyone have any experience of lungeing with one of these? Physio has been and suggests lungeing for a couple of weeks with one of these to build up muscles.

???But not had any experience
Suzanne

[Anna]

I've just started using one about 4 weeks ago, I'm reasonably impressed with it. I used it for a muscling up reason for one of mine and its helped sort the problem. I got a friend to come show me how to use it correctly to begin with and found its relatively simple once shown how!! Have you someone local that can come start you off? I didn't buy an actual pessoa but a cheap imitation off ebay and it all does the same job!!

[khristyne]

I have used one for years to lunge sally in. They are very good at activating the hind leg. I find it useful as being a draught type sally would far rather pull her sefl forward intead of pushng through from behnd. Start with the ends attached btween the front legs in walk and trot. then you can progress to the higher rings and canter. Make sure the front activity matches the back. Lots of transiitions and Bobs your fathers brother!!

[sck1]

Thanks for the advice. Like you Anna I have just bought a cheap one off ebay- a Zilco one and my instructor will fit it and show me how to use it.
@ Khristyne, like Sally, Blue pulls himself along and needs to engage his stomach muscles to support his back so as to avoid swayback in the long term.
I will report back - by the sound of it we will only need to used it for 4-6 weeks before riding again and then in conjunction with riding.

[SuzieP]

How's Blue doing with the Pessoa?

I've just started using one with Bea.