red ribbon or not ?

maree t said:
We were at a low grade little show today where we had taken two ponies for a bit of fun and experience. I was helping my son onn board the youngest while a friends daughter held the other pony on a corner out of the way. I didnt hear till just after what had gone on but a horse from a riding school with a young child on went up tp the back of my mare and let her horse sniff her bottom. My mare that is in season squealed and struck back. The other horse had a minor nick on it. The people from the stables where the other horse was based then proceeded to scream and shout at me (still didnt know what had gone on )that the pony shouldnt be at shows at all and def not without a red ribbon. She went like a dream in the two classes (winning them both ) but kept well away from other horses. This mare is on the games team etc so never worried before. She can be mareish but was out of the way. The other people carried on the rest of the day shouting to everyone watch out that pony kicks. I did get fed up but chose to stay out of the way. I dont want to mark her with a red ribbon as she doesnt desvere it in my feeling but want some other opinions. We always give space to other horses at shows and try and stay out of the way
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Right. The mare was in season but you kept her away from others, the correct thing to do, the rider from the Riding School allowed their pony to come up and sniff your pony, 1) you were doing the correct thing by keeping your pony away 2) the child on the riding school pony was wrong, if this child Was on a lead rein then the person leading the pony was in the wrong.

Even if you put a red ribbon on your pony would this still have happened, I would say yes.

I would go and have a quiet word with th riding school. Remind them that you were doing the collect thing and that they should not allow one of their ponies to sniff any other horse.

Horses / ponies are always aware of predictors so the reaction of your pony was natural .

Your pony has never kicked before or since. I would just be aware when you go to a show and your Marie's in season that you need to keep a good eye out.
 
If you're going to put your horse in that situation, where another horse is likely to get too close, again then yes you need a ribbon. It might have been the other person's fault but at the end of the day your horse kicked out...
 
chestnuttymare said:
well don't then. most mares would react like that when in season. I would call the riding school and complain about them behaving in an unprofessional manner. If the child couldn't control the pony then she should have been on a lead rein. In my mind it is them in the wrong. It isn't sensible to let your horse get that close to a horses bum at a show.
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This is what I think too. They should never have allowed their pony to get so close, to do so is pure stupidity on their part. Any horse would probably consider it in those circumstances especially when in season. Its ridiculous people here are saying you now have to put a red ribbon on your pony, rubbish! This happened once and it was their fault. One of my never-kicked-in-his-life horses kicked out once at a horse at a BS event, their horse had basically been allowed to canter right up his backside so what did they expect would happen. According to people on here I should have then labelled my horse a kicker... right... A red ribbon should be used on a horse who kicks for no reason, as in could just lash out as you passed by, that sort of thing (and I've seen plenty do that at BS events in particular for some reason!).

At pony club shows, you just have to be super vigilant because a lot of kids haven't learnt why they should always keep their distance. I'm always weary at any event I go to, especially with a young horse for example - just keep a close eye and tell people to back off if they get too close. Perhaps tell the yard owner or pony club DC that they should really teach the kids from a young age to NOT get too close, although at the end of the day its the kids parents responsibility to do so IMO. My child will be taught these basic things before he even goes near horses.
 
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Red, can tend to kick, green novice & blue stallion in endurance.

I use a green ribbon on horses in endurance until they have completed their novice qualification (which I tend to keep them at for a year to build experience).

It did tickle me when we took my friends anglo to his first endurance ride a month ago. We put our large green ribbon in his tail, & whilst waiting at the vetting I heard a pleasure rider behind comment to her hubby (leading pony) to keep his distance as ours was a kicker. Wrong ribbon, but at least they had the decency not to come up his rump.

I used to be amazed though when I competed his dad how few people noticed the very large blue ribbon in his tail. He was so well behaved they didn't realise he was entire until I asked them not to pass right beside us but give us a horse width room.

IMHO te responsibility for the accident lies with the person leading the riding school pony. any horse has the potential to kick.
 
I haven't read all the replies so sorry if this is already said but I think you are NOT covered by your insurance if you have a red ribbon as you're admitting your horse has a tendancy to kick.

I also agree that most horses would kick or at least give a warning squeel and kick in that situation.

Perhaps try a white ribbon - means stallion in the sj world i think.
 
Thanks for all your replies it has been very interesting. Perhaps to answer a couple of peoples points the mare had been led away into a corner NOT in the collecting ring but out of the way, the child was riding into the collecting ring when her horse walked over to mine. The most important thing so far that made me think was if she had had a ribbon on it wouldnt have made the slightest bit of difference. She wouldnt have had a clue and had no control.
I make a huge effort to give people space because I dont want my ponies or children kicked and will always shout ahead to the groups who stand around the entrance to the ring and wait for them to move before we attempt to go through.
As I have said the mare is on the games team and has been for years and has to tolerate horses being in close contact and sometimes at speed so if she was known as a kicker she wouldnt be welcome.
Thanks once again for your support
 
Personally I would be by wary of wearing a red ribbon on a horse simply because it is an admission that your horse "kicks". Years ago, it was the norm to put a red ribbon on a horse which you think MAY kick and eveyone would stay clear. Unfortunately in our "No win no fee" culture where "it is always someone elses's fault so therefore I can sue and get loads and loads and loads of money" there is always a chance that a person who does unfortunately get kicked (whether it is their fault or not) may successfully sue!! :eek::eek:

Crazy though it is, some people will do anything to get compensation. :eek:
 
Reminds me of years ago I had someone charge up behind me at a drag hunt and then complain that my pony kicked and he should have a red ribbon on. Put a green on next time to stop people charging up behind him as he wasn't very experienced in that environment and got lots of complements about how good he was for a 'youngster' (he was 14).

Paula
 
Paulag said:
Reminds me of years ago I had someone charge up behind me at a drag hunt and then complain that my pony kicked and he should have a red ribbon on. Put a green on next time to stop people charging up behind him as he wasn't very experienced in that environment and got lots of complements about how good he was for a 'youngster' (he was 14).

Paula
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Hunters ought not to kick if ridden into ,we do a lot of work at home on this we hack in a group very close so they get used to being jostled and pushed about I ride behind and to one side of them and bang them on the bum with my fist we stand so close that they are touching get one to open a gate and ride the other into it anything to desensitise them to other horses while itis very annoying when you get galloped into there's a lot you can do to stop your horse kicking, although its very irritating when people use you to to stop their horse hunters have to learn it Is part of life.
All horses inexperianced at the hounds should wear green ribbons .
 
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