The Pessoa Lunging System
There’s something I see a lot in the hunter jumper world - the Pessoa lunging system. I’ve seen it used on young horses, on seasoned pros, and even by veterinary recommendation on rehab horses. But - why is it used, and why is it recommended? Let’s talk about it…
As you can see above, the Pessoa system is a lunging rig that attaches the mouth and hind limbs through a surcingle. The bit attachment has a pulley piece that allows the ropes to glide, while surcingle attachments are fixed. You’ll set length of the ropes, and attach the highest and lowest points to your desired heights using your own surcingle. This rig asks the horse to lower its head into the set range and maintain headset. The movement of the hind limbs directly impacts the mouth through the lower rope connection.
The system itself is marketed as a tool to create a round, through horse with a lifted back in order to build topline. Amazing, right? That something as simple as a pulley system with ropes attached from bit to butt could do these magical things that we ALL want our horses to do?! Here’s the catch - the research doesn’t support it. The only support for this system is anecdotal - “my barn mate said this built her horse’s topline from shark spine to full of muscle!” The thing is. Building topline is more complex and there are NO quick fixes.
What does the Pessoa system actually teach our horses? It teaches them that pressure in the mouth needs evasion. It teaches them that often times surcingle application means painful back pressure. It teaches them to bring their legs underneath but not push through behind. It teaches them to fix their neck and head in a set position in order to avoid unwanted contact and pressure. None of these things does a willing, through, horse make - nor does any of this create a well-formed topline.
So, what happens when you use a rig like this?
The highest point of the horse chains from the poll to the crest. This means that the horse is braced in that curl to “frame” and is being thrown onto the forehand. This also causes the horse to evade the bit in the mouth in order to avoid the continuous or intermittent pressure applied to the pulley system from the hind end. This set frame causes improper muscling, undesirable loading of the limbs, indicates poor engagement, and doesn’t allow for true collection.
This system has been shown not to engage the long muscles of the back, or engage the abdominal muscles more than free lunging. When these core muscles are not engaged, spinal stabilization is not improved, and the spine and its fragile attachments are at risk. This is why this tool shouldn’t be used on a horse with inadequate topline in order to “build” the muscles - collection work should only be done on horses with a strong, stable core and musculature!
Application of the surcingle has been shown to cause undesirable pressure to the back musculature. This is counter-intuitive for horses who need to rehab from kissing spines, as the pressure is applied between T11-T12 - prime real estate for kissing spines.
Thermal imaging from before/after use of the Pessoa system indicates:
Bracing of the neck and poll due to a fixed headset
Heaviness in the forehand
Minimal abdominal activation
Lack of activation through the back
So… If your horse is in need of spinal stability or topline, the Pessoa lunging system should be avoided. What about for horses with the proper muscling to handle the work? They wouldn’t need a “quick fix” like this rig, would they? If your horse has the core strength and spinal stability that collection work demands - a pulley style lunging system is unnecessary. If your horse doesn’t have the core strength and spinal stability that collection work demands - a pulley style lunging system will not create these things, and could cause more damage through pressure points, compensation, and bracing.
The Pessoa system is not a quick fix to building correct topline and movement. Spoiler alert: there is NO quick fix. Take the time to do the work the right way. Work with professionals who understand kinesiology, anatomy, and correct movement, and can help you build an individualized plan for your horse. There are no shortcuts, only proper management, training, and loading. For all of these reasons, the Pessoa system belongs in the trash with the polo wraps.