The following is a neck rope discussion on the ClickRyder list:
Here's some pictures of neck-rope riding: http://iceryder.net/neckrope.html http://iceryder.net/neckrope2.html > Judy - WOW!! And I thought I was *something* learning to ride with a > rope halter and lead rope! A new possibility! Thanks for sharing the > photos! Did you see the old video of how I started one of my young horses? Bareback and bridleless: http://iceryder.net/vinurvideo.html His training was based on the Parelli 7 Games and clicker training. http://iceryder.net/7games.html Judy - since "certain friends" (THANKS, guys!!) convinced me to try combining the 7 games with the clicker, I truly cannot contain my enthusiasm and have been touting the combo to others! Yesterday my pony actually OFFERED a quiet walking circle and I literally told him, "If you walk nicely around those white barrels over there and then back to the center of the ring, you can have a click and a treat." (He can have A LOT OF GO!) Now, whether vocalizing that request made ME use my body more effectively (BTW - I have gone from traditional bit/bridle to rope hackamore/lead rope, hence the *difficulty* in learning to ride again, so to speak!), or whether or not he truly understood me really doesn't matter. The fact is that WE DID IT! (Learning to use one's body more effectively at the stiff - and arthritic - age of 55 is quite the task!) I was thrilled - it was quiet, it was lovely and I stopped there! My pony is a bit too fat this year because we haven't been getting out of the ring as much as we should (I still have some issues left over from being run away with but it was 100% MY FAULT) but I feel that we're making some REAL PROGRESS!!!! AND we've developed a really neat relationship. As I said, Split talks and talks and talks to me even when we're not riding/playing! When he sees me coming out to the pasture, he nickers and comes RUNNING - this is the first summer EVER that he's done that. And even if I don't have treats, he'll just hand around with me. It's great!!! Karleen Dear Judy, Thanks so much for those great pictures of the Iceys being ridden with neck ropes. Was the neck rope being used in some of the pictures the one used by Linda Tellington-Jones TTEAM practitioners? I have the TTEAM neck rope but hadn't yet used it to ride bareback. I've only been using her halter and clip-on reins when I practice BB riding. So now I know what I'm going to try this weekend with Charm! (It's back to the safety of the round pen again I guess.) I also noticed several of the riders were also using the Parelli carrot stick. I had abandoned it for a while, but now I think I 'll experiment with it again for these exercises. Are there any critical guidelines as to how to adjust the rope / cordeo? And can I use the TTEAM balance rein? I have both the adjustable (but less flexible) TTEAM "hoop" you see in those pictures, and the more flexible TTEAM rope "balance rein". Which is better?? I remember Lynn Palm's used a small hoop (decorated with flowers like a garland) at the Pennsylvania Horse Expo this past February. I love riding Charm bareback. Like everyone else who is experimenting with this, I've found that my natural balance and communicative abilities have increased tremendously since I first started (with initial trepidation) back in early Spring this year. I don't use anything (i.e. no BB pad) under me, but I have noticed that wearing chaps WAS a good idea. I've also found that we progressed much more easily with exercises like alexandra Kurland's 3-flip-3 when we practiced bareback, even with no bit. It feels almost like a meditation - it just flows ... and sometimes I've referred to it as my "2R1" feeling. And she looks so soft and beautiful!! ... So why do I look and feel so clumsy when I borrow a horse at clinics!? LOL And thanks Karen, and Sharon, and everyone else contributing to the neck rein / cordeo discussion. I've had been putting off starting to use it consistently, but now you've given me some guidelines and I feel inspired! And Sharon, thank you sooo much for your post regarding what dressage should really mean for us all, and the reminder that none of these exercises and behaviors are for performance in a vaccum. Most (probably all) are useful in day to day living with us humans. Competition may not be my cup of tea, but I absolutely want to pursue dressage to whatever level we can take it, precisely for all it can do for the horse's continued well being. I want her with me for a long, long time. You are all so very much appreciated ... Thanks Everyone. Often you voice thoughts that I keep unexpressed. And it feels so good to be validated. Actually, coming from you guys it almost feels good when one is challenged. Always great food for thought :0)) Warm regards, Arlene and Charm
