The Art of Natural Dressage

Sometimes I use the cordeo when riding my Asia into our beautiful Karst. Usually - I admit - I use it coupled with Bitless Bridle; my reins are simply left flooding and linked to the saddle. Asia responds well to the cordeo, but I'll use cordeo alone when I'll feel myself absolutely confident.

Yesterday I connected a small ring of rope to the cordeo, perhaps 15 cm in lenght, so that I could keep the cordeo with the second finger of my left hand ("the "man della briglia", "the hand of bridle", as ancient Italian XVI Century Masters call it, where the right hand was called "man della bachetta", "the hand of drumstick"), with a very comfortable and natural posture of my left shoulder, arm and hand: exactly, i "discovered" the shoulder, arm and hand posture of the engravings below.

So, I "lightened" a lot cordeo aids and Asia seemed to appreciate it.

Did you ever try this?

And - for Miriam - did you see that in many ancient drawings the "man della briglia" and the "man della bacchetta" are reversed (I guess, from the fact that engravings are often "mirroring" the real world)?


Wrong image: reins are kept with right hand (the "man della bachetta")


Right image, mirroring the original print of the old engraving: reind are kept into the left hand, the "man della briglia". Right hand had to be absolutely free for fighting.

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Alex

The images aren't there? I would love to see them!

Although I cannot quite picture what you did, to lighten the touch on the cordeo is the correct thing to do in my opinion! It should not make regular contact with the underside of the neck...that is, it should hang a bit away from the underside of the neck so the lightest lift of it can be a cue rather like a half halt. The feel should be the same as if riding with looped reins.

I did experiment with using it as if i was neckreining, but I tended to get too busy with it. SO now I try only to use it as I saw on the Nevzorov principles dvd. In that dvd, Nevzorov says that even he was reprimanded by one of his mentors (the name escapes me at the moment!) for over using the cordeo.

I have seen some people on youtube using the cordeo like tight reins, and keeping constant contact or pressure on it (like using the reins to balance one's self)...then the horse will actually brace the underside of neck against the constant pressure of the cordeo there...which would only serve to hamper what it was intended for...lifting the base of the neck.

So perhaps Alex, you should rename this topic, "Proper Use of the Cordeo".

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"Ride reverently, as if each step is the axis on which the earth revolves"

I hadn't my camera yesterday... as usual when it is needed.

I'll take a picture as soon as possible, if you are interested about. You'll see a strange, self-made, very cheap "cordeo"...

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Alex

Actually I would love to see some strange handmade cheap cordeo.

It sounds very interesting and a nice way of working!

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kirsten
time is what you make of it

ooooh
I really want to see this Alex. Photos please.

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Glen Grobler

Words that soak into your ears are whispered...not yelled. Anon

Me too!

Brenda

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http://www.youtube.com/user/Lucy04574
http://www.youtube.com/user/Jack04574

OK... thanks for your interest! Well, perhaps I've an old picture of my "cordeo", made with an old piece of discarded rubber tube ...



But for "modified cordeo" kept with second finger of left hand... you've to wait a little!

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Alex

I will wait, but meanwhile, that is about the most creative and clever reuse of material for a cordeo! It is an excellent idea!!!! And such a lovely color too. My favorite shade of blue!!!

I have a huge interest in home-made cordeos...almost as an art form, and and definitely art from the heart!

Nice photo!!!!

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"Ride reverently, as if each step is the axis on which the earth revolves"

Well... I'm confused... I'd never guess so much appreciation... I simply went at the back of our riding stable searching for "something" (smooth, a little rigid: it is an old gas tube), and I found that. I didn't choose the color..

Well, if you imagine a 15 cm ring string connected on the top of my "cordeo", and you look at old engraving above, you can imagine (before I'll shot a picture) that this string allows my "cordeo hand", the left one, to stay exactly where the hand of that old Master stays; the advantage, in my opinion, is that you have to move laterally your hand, to give a lateral aid, and to raise your hand, to halt, with a much more evident, visually obvious signal to the horse; and I felt my posture much more relaxed and natural.

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Alex

I think I am picturing it correctly...I LIKE the idea, very MUCH!

It would also dissuade one from over using the cordeo, so I really like the idea. And I can understand entirely what you mean by having a visual for the horse.

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"Ride reverently, as if each step is the axis on which the earth revolves"

Oh, what a great idea, Alex!

And I like your lovely blue inner tube cordeo, too...brilliant!



Best,
Leigh

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"Ours is the portal of hope. Come as you are." -- Rumi
www.imaginalinstitute.com

There are two colors of horses that I am a complete weakling for. One is blood bay with lighter main and tail...and the other... the dark or steel dapple gray.

Tell you what, you keep the cordeo and give me the horse you are riding. Fair enough? I'll even give you more of the blue tubing in exchange for him or her.

Egads! That is a beautiful horse.

And now I know what to look for as a cordeo when I am ready to begin using one.

Donald

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Love is Trust, trust is All
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So say Don, Altea, and Bonnie the Wonder Filly.

Donald... I'm sad to say.... The picture is old, I've no more a mare of such color.
Precisely, yes, I own just that mare, my Asia, but... she's no more of that color... she's going to become clearer and clearer, year after year!

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Alex

Great Cordeo, I've been fooling around with so much material to make one!
So I know where I'm going to this afternoon, get myself some of that wonderful blue (maybe we have other colors in Holland, but aiming for the blue) tube!

I think I understand what your cordeo right now looks like, still surely would love to see pictures!

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kirsten
time is what you make of it

Ok, KSD; I'm going to tell you a "secret"... to make that cordeo a little more rigid, but malleable, I put inside it a piece of strong iron thread (I hope, the term is correct!). The extremities of the tube are simply connected with adhesive tape.

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Alex

Thanks for the little secret, I'm not sure the term is right, but I understand so it's clear to me!

I see what I can do

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kirsten
time is what you make of it

I have a friend that also prefers a stiffer type of cordeo. He used a thin lariat type of rope that is quite stiff...I think it's actually called a "pigging string" (I'll have to google that, but it's not really important). He also connected the ends with either electrical tape, or hockey tape I think.

So interesting, all the possibilities!

Back on the NHE forum, long ago, I started a topic called "Cordeo Museum" so that people could share their home made cordeos, their art, and also for some to just get ideas. It was wonderful!

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"Ride reverently, as if each step is the axis on which the earth revolves"

Here I am with some pictures... shot in the worst light conditions.

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Alex

YES! That is how I imagined it. NICE idea Alex!!!!

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"Ride reverently, as if each step is the axis on which the earth revolves"

Your words were quite visual apparently 'cause it was what I had in mind too!

I am really gonna try this!

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kirsten
time is what you make of it

Ah, now I see what you mean, Alex. Great!! I do a similar thing, although I do not have a nice cordeo like you. When I ride, I do this with a lunge line around my horse´s neck and hold it in my hand several centimeters above the snap, so I also don´t hold the cordeo part of it but the line... only that I can´t really deal with the cordeo , so I reduce my aids with it to emergency situations and stick to body language for the rest.

Thanks to all of you... you can't imagine how much you reward me! I feel just like a R+ trained horse.

Well.... I can't wait to hear from any of you, who will test so a simple trick with a much larger experience and riding skill!

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Alex

A few times I have suggested to people that they need a longer cordeo so they can comfortably sit properly and still have some slack available in the cordeo. So often then my advice is to make another cordeo, but your "extension" is such a wonderfully simple idea that anyone can do!

So your very simple idea is really worth a lot of praise.

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"Ride reverently, as if each step is the axis on which the earth revolves"

why dont you use the same material as a "hoelahoep" sorry no english word for this This is also a bit hard/stiff.
When i was young we made them from electrictubes. Those tubes where the wire goes through. Cost almost nothing :-)

I wonder if you meant, with the word "hoelahoep," what we call a Hula Hoop?

Did you twirl the "hoelahoep" around your middle, or an arm or leg, and try to keep them in the air?

One can still find Hula Hoops in toy departments in large stores here in the U.S.

And the colors, oh my. Wild.

Interesting idea. I've got Bonnie living with the tassle end of rope reins hanging where she can play with them, and she does. Loves to suck on them.

Also two pool noodles stuck in the wall bracing over head for her to wonder about. If I leave them down she chews them. Probably that's not good for her already delicate digestion.

So now I must get her a few hula hoops.

Donald

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Love is Trust, trust is All
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So say Don, Altea, and Bonnie the Wonder Filly.

They sell Hula hoops at dollar stores. I know a riding instructor in our area that teaches kids to ride with those instead of using reins, great to teach kids to balance themselves. They use slighter simplified cues. The only disadvantage I see is that you can't just let go of them without them bouncing against the horses chest and legs.

My trainer used a hula hoop (or hula hoop type thing - smaller and more flexi now that I look?)all decorated with flowers for a western bridleless demo she did one time. Very cheery and girly.

http://www.relationalridingacademy.com/ ... eless1.wmv

I find it mysterious that she's all good with this but finds the bitless crossunder questionable. Hell , maybe Belle and I should just skip and report with a cordeo next lesson...

It is also great for helping get your hips not only loose but independent in the use of all those little muscles. Being able to hula hoop both ways is a good tool towards good sitting trot. I keep meaning to get one for me and my friends with whom I study and explore.

Apparently, belly dancing and getting the coins on both side of your hip to jingle separately and at will is the real kicker. Gentlemen???

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Looking for the beauty in the truth and the truth in the beauty.

Men do both raqs baladi and raqs sharqi. I've seen them. And while I don't get the same kick out of watching as I noted the women in attendance did, I'm sure it's good for trotting. Yes, that's it. Trotting.

As for "hula hoops," and the cordero I think we have only started to explore the materials and styles.

There is, in the old Californio vaquero or charro tradition a lovely way to tie a rope around a horse's neck that leaves a medallion centered on it's chest. It's referred to as the Alamar, or alamar knot.

I tied it only once for fun (I'm a knut for knots), but I could surely do it again, and I might. For Bonnie. And for that matter for Altea as well.

Here's a picture, and how to do it, and I'll bet that before the next 24 hours passes someone with AND will tie the knot.

Look at how it would be weighted, and it could be strung lightly to the saddle to keep it from slipping forward and down should the horse drop it's head.

http://www.ropeworks.biz/reader/alamar.pdf


http://www.sagehorsemanship.com/decorative_alamar/decorative_alamar_tie.htm


This does not, as in the directions for the knot above, have to be tied by doubling the rope, and creating that handle off to the side. It can be tied all in one run, with a single rope (22 ft is good), and no side handle. Must cleaner.

And of course a horsehair mecate is not required.

This file photo won't half do it justice for handsomeness. A bit thicker rope, and possibly with a bit of body (stiffness) to it and I think it would be a good cordeo. Maybe even superior.

It does not hurt to surround one's self with beauty either.

This is always good for the mind and clears us as to our intent and thus our focus.

Donald.

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Love is Trust, trust is All
~~~~~~~~~
So say Don, Altea, and Bonnie the Wonder Filly.

That is a handsome knot! I love the idea of the medallion.COOL! I really like the end tassle too!

I don't think the rope needs more body. Just as you don't want stiff reins, you really don't need a stiff cordeo either. I look for thin, old reins to make my cordeos...soft from years of use, as reins they have their own history. Some good, some bad. But gone on to become something new and liberating. It's lovely!

I just went to tack sale, and I can't help myself...I found a couple old reins. they felt worn and smooth and soft...had to have them!!!

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"Ride reverently, as if each step is the axis on which the earth revolves"

I think, aids (mainly lateral aids) are a little different with a rigid-semirigid cordeo and with a soft one. An advantage of a hula-hop like round ring is probably that the horse can see it and its lateral movements, getting a "visual aid" too, just as he/she can see my hand with my trick.

I a cohoperative, sensitive horse I guess that it will be very difficult to understand if he/she responds to touch aid from cordeo, from visual aid, or mainly from subtle saddle/weight aids from the rider... I don't know if you are used to give vocal aids too... or - most probable - to all of them together.

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Alex

I too love old leather gear. I had to try hard not to cry when my son told me some fool threw a cigarette out of a passing car, lite our property on fire and my A-frame tack and storage building burnt. They managed to salvage a tiny bit of my belongings in there, but my wonderful plaited rawhide bridles, and hackamore headsets, all my library but a dozen books, my custom western training saddle, my Pariani (now THAT does bring a tear) that carried me over so many jumps on such good horses, all gone. Much more of course, but not as serious to me as those above.

By the way, the Alamar knot will tell you, should you use it, if you have pulled too hard (that's why I prefer just a little more body) as the knot will 'upset,' that is lose it's shape and just turn into a fist. A tool to remind you to be light.

I think it kind of fitting that your gear can record for you, even this crudely, an error, but not break or fall off.

Kool, no?

Donald.

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Love is Trust, trust is All
~~~~~~~~~
So say Don, Altea, and Bonnie the Wonder Filly.

sorry donald just wrote it wrong.
But you understand me very well!! Just what i meant!!!!
i saw that Yvonne use them too for playing stuff in the paddock for their horses.
So you can give it more variations

That looks great Donald, thanks for the picture. I've got an extra mecate rein lying around that I'm going to try this with.

OH, I understand! And yes, that IS cool!!!! A contactometer!

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"Ride reverently, as if each step is the axis on which the earth revolves"

That knot is really good, I already had it with my reins before, if I couldn't get them off after riding something was wrong, that really helped!

Didn't think about putting them on a cordeo also!

(so many cordeo's to make and to try out and work with, and so little time)

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kirsten
time is what you make of it

The "making a cordeo out of an old rein" is so easypeasy!

If you get the good end of the rein you can just use the gesp (what's the english word? ) to make them to eachother in a circle, gotta go test it this afternoon (asked my teacher to let me go early today, and lucky me he did! Well he had to leave early himself...)

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kirsten
time is what you make of it