Wheels
Well-Known Member
As title 
Any tips?
What do you like / not like?
Any tips?
What do you like / not like?
Anyone ride with a cordeo?
- Thread starter Wheels
- Start date
Sleipnir
Well-Known Member
I do. One thing to remember - it doesn't offer any control, so perfect responsiveness to seat and voice should be established first, as well as the horse has to be very trusting and attentive to the rider. If you're just starting, start in a safe, enclosed environments and don't just drop the bridle/halter off immediately - leave it on and use it as the final cue if the horse has not reacted to your seat and the following cue with the cordeo. It really helps if the horse has been trained in neck-reining, so Western riders might have an advantage! Otherwise, horses tend to pick up cordeo cues fairly well.
Another thing - the rider should not brace against it, nor should he use it to balance himself in the saddle, just as with normal reins. It will just create a dull, unresponsive horse. Also, the pressure should only be applied to the lower part of the neck and the cordeo should never rise up where the horses' trachea lies, not even speaking about "steering" with the cordeo tightly pressed around the throat! It's very uncomfortable for the horse and can obstruct airways.
And, as I do use it, I, of course, enjoy it a lot. It gives a lot to think about your seat and general balance and a horse, ridden with the cordeo, often becomes very attentive to the riders' cues - which can also mean more reaction to misunderstandings/mistakes! A light backwards pressure in the rope can help a horse rebalance himself, if necessary, it's also something that, in my experience, comes quite naturally to them, especially, if the horse has been taught to back up from pressure to his chest.
Forgive my spelling, if there are any mistakes, English is not my native language. And, to top off this block of text, here's a picture of a cordeo in action - we went to a beach for the first time and were challenged to race another rider at a gallop.
Another thing - the rider should not brace against it, nor should he use it to balance himself in the saddle, just as with normal reins. It will just create a dull, unresponsive horse. Also, the pressure should only be applied to the lower part of the neck and the cordeo should never rise up where the horses' trachea lies, not even speaking about "steering" with the cordeo tightly pressed around the throat! It's very uncomfortable for the horse and can obstruct airways.
And, as I do use it, I, of course, enjoy it a lot. It gives a lot to think about your seat and general balance and a horse, ridden with the cordeo, often becomes very attentive to the riders' cues - which can also mean more reaction to misunderstandings/mistakes! A light backwards pressure in the rope can help a horse rebalance himself, if necessary, it's also something that, in my experience, comes quite naturally to them, especially, if the horse has been taught to back up from pressure to his chest.
Forgive my spelling, if there are any mistakes, English is not my native language.
And, to top off this block of text, here's a picture of a cordeo in action - we went to a beach for the first time and were challenged to race another rider at a gallop.
texenstar
Well-Known Member
I do. One thing to remember - it doesn't offer any control, so perfect responsiveness to seat and voice should be established first, as well as the horse has to be very trusting and attentive to the rider. If you're just starting, start in a safe, enclosed environments and don't just drop the bridle/halter off immediately - leave it on and use it as the final cue if the horse has not reacted to your seat and the following cue with the cordeo. It really helps if the horse has been trained in neck-reining, so Western riders might have an advantage! Otherwise, horses tend to pick up cordeo cues fairly well.
Another thing - the rider should not brace against it, nor should he use it to balance himself in the saddle, just as with normal reins. It will just create a dull, unresponsive horse. Also, the pressure should only be applied to the lower part of the neck and the cordeo should never rise up where the horses' trachea lies, not even speaking about "steering" with the cordeo tightly pressed around the throat! It's very uncomfortable for the horse and can obstruct airways.
And, as I do use it, I, of course, enjoy it a lot. It gives a lot to think about your seat and general balance and a horse, ridden with the cordeo, often becomes very attentive to the riders' cues - which can also mean more reaction to misunderstandings/mistakes! A light backwards pressure in the rope can help a horse rebalance himself, if necessary, it's also something that, in my experience, comes quite naturally to them, especially, if the horse has been taught to back up from pressure to his chest.
Forgive my spelling, if there are any mistakes, English is not my native language.
I love this! How amazing!
Wheels
Well-Known Member
Thank you for your wonderful post sleipnir!
ycbm
Overwhelmed
You could have fooled me! You put most of us to shame for your English, never mind it being a foreign language for you.
Sleipnir
Well-Known Member
Thanks, and I'm glad you found my post helpful, Wheels.
texenstar
Well-Known Member
Does anyone know where I could buy a cordeo? I would love to use one to develop my seat and leg aids.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Sleipnir
Well-Known Member
I just use a piece of rope from a home depot type of store, I've also seen people using an old lead rope or even reins. It's perfectly simple and safe - and cheap! - to make one yourself. Regarding the size - measure it so that it loosely hangs from the withers to the base of the neck/top of the chest, like this:
That way you will be able to use the slack for the lightest cues. If a cordeo is too small, there's a constant pressure once it's picked up, which you don't need - you should be able to hold it lightly without any pressure at all/just a light touch, and also to release it as needed.
That way you will be able to use the slack for the lightest cues. If a cordeo is too small, there's a constant pressure once it's picked up, which you don't need - you should be able to hold it lightly without any pressure at all/just a light touch, and also to release it as needed.
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BBP
Well-Known Member
I just use a leadrope
My top tip would be don't allow yourself to lift the rope up to the throat area to try to steer the horse, you could damage vulnerable structures. I did a lot of work with a halter and rope and also neck reining in a bridle. He's also great on voice commands, I installed the whoa command as the first one! I love riding this way but with a horse I could only do it in an enclosed space as he's such a hot head. That said I can ride a full dressage test or jumping course with it, so he's pretty good, to the point where I can ditch the rope and just use my hands. (Or could, we are a bit rusty now as he's been off due to illness/injury)
My top tip would be don't allow yourself to lift the rope up to the throat area to try to steer the horse, you could damage vulnerable structures. I did a lot of work with a halter and rope and also neck reining in a bridle. He's also great on voice commands, I installed the whoa command as the first one! I love riding this way but with a horse I could only do it in an enclosed space as he's such a hot head. That said I can ride a full dressage test or jumping course with it, so he's pretty good, to the point where I can ditch the rope and just use my hands. (Or could, we are a bit rusty now as he's been off due to illness/injury)
ebonyallen
Well-Known Member
No advise, but just wanted to say those pictures are amazing................
PollyP99
Well-Known Member
Great thread, I bought one just before my mare was injured so haven't used it, got it from ebay, it's the real thing so has a leather safety break point built in incase you or the horse gets caught in something. Inspired to try it now!