Green ribbon?

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shadowboy

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Howie has his first dressage test on sat. I am concerned about people zooming up his backside in the warm-up and wondered if its worth sticking a green ribbon on his tail. He doesn't kick but he is a little unsettled still about horses coming up behind him faster than a walk- it makes him spooky (the last thing I need before a test) I have already requested an early time hopefully so warm up is emptyish but was wondering if I should bother adding a green ribbon?

I want his first dressage outing to be a positive lesson for him.

Opinions well recieved please :)
 
I put green ribbons on mine when they first go out to competitions - I can't honestly say that I have ever noticed it stopping people zooming past us (and quite often people ask me what the ribbon means!) but I prefer to do it so at least I have made an attempt to alert people that I'm riding a youngster!

Out hunting I find that people do know what it means and are generally very helpful.
 
I would I have never seen them used at a show ( but they are used a lot out hunting) but surely it's a good idea to flag up it's a baby horse however it is your job to keep him out of trouble .
 
I'd probably be more inclined to put a red ribbon on. Not everyone knows what a green ribbon means, but if they think a horse kicks they're bound to stay clear.
 
BellaBee said:
I'd probably be more inclined to put a red ribbon on. Not everyone knows what a green ribbon means, but if they think a horse kicks they're bound to stay clear.
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A red one means I kick and that's not a label I would put on my young horse.
 
I'd pop one on, not everyone will understand what it means or even respect it, but some riders will do and will keep their distance a bit more for you. Good luck!
 
Id put one in. Worth a try as it drives me insane when people use me to stop their horse. Fair enough we all have moments where we arent in complete control and if somebody is genuinely in trouble and they actually apologise afterwards then I can forgive them
 
Goldenstar, I can see why you wouldn't want a horse labelled as a kicker, its just what I would do. But then again my own sometimes does kick is she doesn't have any room so I'd rather label as a kicker than just green.
 
Goldenstar said:
A red one means I kick and that's not a label I would put on my young horse.
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I agree! Plus people don't always know about red ribbons either - we took my friend's show jumper out wearing one and at least 2 people said "oooh look at her pretty ribbon in her tail, why didn't you put some in her mane too" :rolleyes:
 
BellaBee said:
Goldenstar, I can see why you wouldn't want a horse labelled as a kicker, its just what I would do. But then again my own sometimes does kick is she doesn't have any room so I'd rather label as a kicker than just green.
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Because if it kicked someone you can be more easily held liable as you have flagged up you think there is an issue.
 
Goldenstar said:
Because if it kicked someone you can be more easily held liable as you have flagged up you think there is an issue.
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Ah, you see was thinking about it the other way round: you warned them so it was their fault for ignoring you, if that makes sense? :o I can why you wouldn't use a red ribbon then- learn something new everyday!
 
Put green and red on!

We always put a white one on the stallions when they go out, although, they have their own "manly" way of letting everyone know they are the main men!

At least if you have a ribbon on, you can shout at people who are ignorant enough to ignore it!
 
I would go down the green ribbon route. I did this when my daughter took her young horse to a PC XC rally & the instructor asked everyone if they knew what it signified & then spent a little time explaining it. So yes, use it & (hopefully) if more people see them, then they will find out what it means!
 
Thanks for all the responses. I think I'll go for the green ribbon and even if the majority dont know what it means hopefully one or two will and give him a little space. :)
 
I think the ribbon thing has its home in hunting were its seen a a lot a red ribbon means I kick but it is very much up to the rider to keep a kicker in a safe place in gateways .
A green ribbon means I am green and IME people go out of their way to help you I have had people I don't really know go a away from the field with me when a youngster had got separated from its companion and was getting wound up and always try to help others.
 
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