Pessoa Lungeing System: # 460300 Horse or Pony size, $185.00
Camelot Web Training Surcingle: # 400141 Pony, Cob, Horse, $69.95
Ovation Premium Training Sucingle: # 467259 Horse, $89.95

Designed to work with the Pessoa Lungeing System with the D's placed in at the appropriate positions.

Pessoa Lunging System: Invented by international show jumping rider, Nelson Pessoa, this system is designed to encourage balance and a gradual build-up of topline. It consists of an easy-to-put-together array of ropes, clips and pulleys, as well as a breeching strap that passes behind the horse's hindquarters, and is used in conjunction with a training surcingle while the horse is being lunged.

Based on the principles of pressure and release, the Pessoa Lunging System helps to place the horse in a better position to assist muscle build-up, and increases use of the horse's back muscles. The Pessoa Lunging System can assist maintenance of muscle tone in fi t horses, while less experienced horses can be guided into the correct shape. The Pessoa Lunging System can be used in four different positions, depending on the horse's level of training and fi tness.

What is it designed to do? How does it help your horse?
International Show Jumping Rider Nelson Pessoa developed the Pessoa Longeing System as a training aid designed to encourage balance and a gradual build up of top-line. It consists of an easy to put together array of ropes, clips, and pulleys, as well as breeching strap that passes behind the horses' hindquarters, and is used in conjunction with a Training Surcingle while the horse is being lunged.

How does it work?
The System is designed to work with the horse rather than against it. Based on the principles of pressure and release, the Pessoa Longeing System helps place the horse in a better position to assist muscle build -up, and increases the use of the horse's back muscles. It also encourages the horse to come off the forehand, by encouraging him to use his hindquarters. The Pessoa Longeing System can assist in maintaining muscle tone in fit horses and help guide less experienced horses into the correct shape.

If the horse resists by raising its head and poking out its nose, it will feel pressure on the bars of the mouth through the bit and on the hindquarters through the breeching. Once the horse drops its head, or relaxes its jaw, the pressure abates giving the release. The Pessoa Longeing System can be used in 4 different positions, depending on the horse's level of training and fitness. These positions start where head carriage is low and the horse stretches through the tail, across the back and down to the ears, to the advanced dressage position where the horse carries itself in a more upright, collected frame.

As the horse can only really benefit from the PLS when it is moving forward correctly it is important that the user is competent in longeing. The horse's head should never be behind the vertical. The PLS should guide rather than hold the head in position. You should have the horse really moving freely forward; do not sacrifice forward movement for sake of the head position.

What horses can benefit from the Pessoa Lungeing System?
While there are no short cuts to achieving self carriage in your horse, most horses can benefit from the PLS as part of a complete training schedule. If a horse is completely unfit, give the horse at least 5-6 weeks in work in program to get fit before starting use of the PLS (Hillary Vernon-Illustrated Guide to Training Aids, published by JA Allen).

How do I fit it on the horse?
The PLS comes with complete clear instructions for its fit and use. Please use care, it is important that nothing is ever done up too tightly, as this pulls the horse into position, rather than encouraging correct movement as intended. Since the system incorporates breeching, it may be best to introduce this idea to the horse in a controlled environment.

How often and how long should I use it?
Incorporate the PLS into your regular training schedule. The PLS guides the horse into a correct position, but this does not replace the work of a rider, so create a balanced program to achieve the best results. Thirty minutes of correct longeing is the equivalent to about an hour of schooling under saddle. Hillary Vernon recommends fit horses be warmed up in the low position for about 10 minutes, then alter the PLS to the position most relevant for stage of training the horse is in for about 15 minutes, and then return to the low position for cooling out. Work the horse in both directions during each phase. The less fit the horse is the more important it is to stay in the long, low, outline then gradually raise the outline and cool out in the lowest position. This is a powerful training tool and Hillary recommends a gradual introduction and short, but correct training sessions.