Red or Green?

[rotters13]

I'm thinking of taking my horse for the first time out hunting and am not sure about whether to use a green or a red ribbon.

I know the difference, so I know that theoretically that I should use green but I really don't want her to be used as a stopping ram. If I use green will people assume that she might kick?

Thank-you!

 

[JenHunt]

if you put a green ribbon in, people will assume she is un-predictable, rather than that she will kick. Does that even make sense?!

I would suggest that you go with the green - at least until you know what she's like!

 

[rema]

Isent it red for a kicker,green for a young or inexperianced horse and white for a stallion??.Might be wrong!.

 

[JenHunt]

i thought it was blue for a stallion!

but otherwise yes, you're right.

 

[JenHunt]

no - sorry - i stand corrected. It is indeed a white ribbon for a stallion.

oops!

 

[rema]

:grin:

 

[Tiarella]

you could put all three in the tail, and make it look all pretty. :grin:

 

[superstar565]

i spose you could put red and green..might look a bit silly but it's better than her kicking anyone..?

 

[Maisy]

I would think it would be best to put a green one in and then stick to the back of the field where you wont get anyone up your bum!

With any colour ribbon in your horses tail, you would be expected to ride considerately....you cant bung a red ribbon in and be in the middle of the field thinking people wont come too close (or at least you shouldnt!!).

 

[Angelbones]

I stuck on a green ribbon for my mare's first ever day's hunting and we rode at the back, very considerately and she was in the main very well behaved. However it didn't stop a lunie riding into her at full speed in a small enclosed space and yes she kicked out. This mare is definitely not "a kicker" but doesn't like being crowed round her back end and now I have her in a red ribbon just to make my point that people should give her some space - it gives both her and me peace of mind. I did actually have both red and green on a few early outings just to be safe.

So my advice would be to go for red until you know otherwise. Many hunting people have no manners and/or little control and tend not to see ribbons anyway, but at least until you know your horse you have the defence that you were wearing a red ribbon and riding responsibly so its the other person's fault and not yours if something goes wrong. When your horse is a dead-cert non kicker you can take off the ribbon happily.

Kids also tend to stay at the back and they are generally aware from an early age that red is bad news and stay away from you. Imagine kicking a kid..doesn't bear thinking about.

I hope you have lots of fun and your horse is a superstar - enjoy!

 

[Starbucks]

Does she kick or not?

I stay well away from anything with a red ribbon so that's probably the way to go. If she doesn't kick I'd stick with green though.

 

[DollyDolls]

Forget ribbons, they always fall off unless the tail is plaited. I used electrical tape wound round the tail. It didn't look pretty but at least it stayed there all day.

 

[rotters13]

I think I may just stick both in. She kicks when she is in season but didn't kick anything at the musical ride at camp (which was shambolic). She hasn't kicked since but will put some in just to be sure!

 

[BigBird146]

I raided our Christmas gift wrap box and got some red and green and tied them in a bow for my 1st 2 outings! They do stay in if you take a piece of tail from either side and do them up tight with a plaiting band then wrap the ribbon round that in a figure of 8. I haven't ost any yet. I just use red now so that people don't get up his bum, I try and stay near the back so I don't get crowded in gates and what have you.

 

[walker1234]

Both

 

[Gamebird]

My horse doesn't kick - you can safely run up his behind, use him as a bumper, whatever (or as safely as you can ever be sure of with horses!). However he has a hell of a buck if you have to queue for a fence or he thinks he's being held back for any reason. On the basis that the receiving end of a buck is pretty similar to the receiving end of a kick I do use red tape if I'm out with an unfamiliar hunt.

 

[SamuelWhiskers]

I would get some red and green electrical tape and put two stripes, one of each colour around the top of the tail. That is what i did to my youngster, it keeps everyone clear and gives them time to settle in....have fun