Kickers - whose responsibility?

champion :grin:

In mine home made (currently 2yr old) sloe gin, and i doesn't last long, so take out reserve flask for hack home

Yes, cold and wet hacks back to the lorry on a darkening evening need some sustenance.
This does not apply to many people as they seem to disappear just after lunchtime!
Cheers - and thank you.
 
fav part of my day is hacking home with sound horse on chilled loose rein, finishing hip flash and munching on Mars bar. Day dreaming of the days hedge hopping or tumble club!!!
 
Our Field Masters keep a very beady eye on Red Ribbons - and tell them exactly where they should position themselves in the field.

So where do I stand on this point then... my loan horse has been hunted hard for a good few seasons and I was told he needs a red ribbon. When I questioned the owners, they said that because he is so big (17hh IDx), people have used his bottom to stop and he has kicked. So, I put a ribbon in. I've taken him out a few times and never seen any hint of him attempting to kick, but I keep him at the back wherever possible. When out 2 weeks ago I was chatting to one of our Masters who asked me why I put a red ribbon in when "that horse isn't a kicker, it doesn't kick, it has never lifted a leg, and isn't bothered by other horses being near to him". I told him the above and he told me not to use the red ribbon because all horses kick in those circumstances.

Now I would prefer to use a red ribbon anyway because I know he has kicked, though only when used as brakes, but I have the Master telling me not to. Any thoughts?
 
Our Field Masters keep a very beady eye on Red Ribbons - and tell them exactly where they should position themselves in the field.

So where do I stand on this point then... my loan horse has been hunted hard for a good few seasons and I was told he needs a red ribbon. When I questioned the owners, they said that because he is so big (17hh IDx), people have used his bottom to stop and he has kicked. So, I put a ribbon in. I've taken him out a few times and never seen any hint of him attempting to kick, but I keep him at the back wherever possible. When out 2 weeks ago I was chatting to one of our Masters who asked me why I put a red ribbon in when "that horse isn't a kicker, it doesn't kick, it has never lifted a leg, and isn't bothered by other horses being near to him". I told him the above and he told me not to use the red ribbon because all horses kick in those circumstances.

Now I would prefer to use a red ribbon anyway because I know he has kicked, though only when used as brakes, but I have the Master telling me not to. Any thoughts?

Put in a Green Ribbon, kick on, have fun - and do have very serious words with any half-wit who uses his bum as a brake.
 
It is totally the responsibility of the rider of a kicker to stay away from trouble and that means at the back of the field. Do not for one moment think that putting a red ribbon in the tail gives you a licence to take a kicker wherever you feel like.

If your horse so much as lifts a leg at another horse or, God forbid, a hound then, as Mr Woof suggests, you will be expected to give him a good walloping - a sharp tap is not enough, he needs to be taught a lesson he will never forget.

Aniseed and BigBird146 seem to have shut up after your very sensible comments!!
 
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