Should I use a Red Ribbon?

[3Beasties]

Millie is going to her first ever show in just under two weeks. It is a local show where she will be doing some jumping and Gymkhana.

She is quite a Marish little thing so I am not sure how she will react to having lot's of new ponies and people around her.

I thought I should put a red ribbon on her tail so people will keep there distance but someone has said that it will Brand her as a 'Kicker' for life.

Would you put a red ribbon on her or not?

 

[Lippyx]

I would put a red ribbon in her tail. So what what people say, at least you are warning them!! Just can't believe some people and their comments!
If I see a horse with a red ribbon, it shows the owner is taking responsibility and I respect that. If I got kicked by a known "kicker" and it didn't have a ribbon, I wouldn't be none too pleased!

 

[Lippyx]

You could of course put a green one in which means its a green/young horse, but it wouldn't really cover you if she did kick out.

 

[pottamus]

If in doubt yes! It will keep people from getting to close, which in turn will help relax her. Alternatively a green ribbon indicates a novice horse so should have the same affect but I find people ignore this or think it is a decorative ribbon!! So I put a red one in my lads tail when at pleasure rides.

 

[emmiec12]

i would rather put a ribbon on if i am in any doubt. i hunt Sam who has not kicked for a few years, but used to so i always put one on....

people should keep a safe distance anyway as 'only a dead horse does not kick' - but there is no harm in being extra careful.

but you could put a green one on as it is her first show.... this is for young horses - i put them on babies and those who are mentally young.

 

[Fazzie]

If she was mine I would do it and then at least people will keep their distance a bit. better to be safe than sorry

 

[LucyLuLu]

Green One!
Best to be safe

 

[ha903070]

Both my mares wear red ribbons, one will kick the other will squeal and threaten if another horse is really close.

I'd put one in her tail.

Although some people still ignore them and walk right up behind your horse anyway, even when asked politely to move further away cos she kicks they seem to know better. Its better to warn people and let them make their own decision?

 

[louisevictoria]

despite the fact my horse (to my knowledge) has never kicked another horse at a show I always put a red ribbon in his tail as what he likes to do is buck and kick out a lot if other horses come whizzing past him. The red ribbon just lets others know to keep their distance.

 

[LadyRascasse]

i always though green ribbon meant for sale?

 

[LadyRascasse]

just to answer my own question i found this on google

There are four colors of ribbon that you might see on a horse's tail: red, green, blue and white. Each color has its own meaning.

Red ribbons signify that a horse is a kicker. This means that any other riders should be careful not to crowd the horse, especially from behind. This is the most common color of tail ribbon and thus is the best understood. Often people choose to use a red ribbon if a horse is green or inexperienced because other riders are more likely to understand the meaning.

A green ribbon means that a horse is inexperienced and likely to misbehave. This is suitable for young horses or for horses who are particularly spooky in nature. If you see a horse with a green ribbon in his tail, approach him with caution. Give him space when riding near him, and be sure to keep an eye on him when in the ring. A green horse may spook or otherwise misbehave in unexpected ways.

A blue ribbon says that this horse is a stallion. Because stallions should only be handled by adults, and can be unpredictable at times, stallion owners will sometimes use a blue ribbon in his tail to warn off other riders. This is particularly important if you have a mare. It is unfair to a stallion's rider to ride your mare too close to a stallion in the ring, especially if she is in season. The stallion can be the best behaved boy out there, but having an in season mare close by will distract him. In the worst case scenario, you could cause a serious accident by bringing your mare too close to a stallion. Caution is always sensible when seeing a horse with a blue ribbon in his tail.

White ribbons signify that a horse is for sale. Because it can be difficult to successfully advertise at a show, using a white ribbon is an excellent way to show that your horse is for sale. That way prospective buyers can see him perform in the ring, and know that they can approach you after the class if they are interested.

 

[Cliqmo]

I would use a green one as people should realise it means your young horse might do *anything* and to generally give it space.

As a point of interest, I was chatting to NFU about liability insurance the other day. They said that if your horse injures somebody after you have given them "reasonable warning" that they could get hurt, the insurance wouldn't pay. This is because they do not believe you have been negligent. The NFU lady I spoke to cited someone falling off after you warned them the horse flybucks, but I wonder where you stand if your horse kicks someone when they got too close if you are wearing a red ribbon? ... sorry if this is hijacking your post but it seems sort of relevant

 

[Cliqmo]

[ QUOTE ]
i always though green ribbon meant for sale?

[/ QUOTE ]

Blue is for sale
Green is novice
Red is kicker
red/white/blue is stallion

Going through a gateway with your hand behind your back also indicates a "new kicker", or a kicker who lost their red ribbon- but I'm not sure if this is just a hunting thing?

 

[Cliqmo]

Interesting one GwenLP, the colours are different to what I was taught at Pony Club- no wonder people get confused!

 

[3Beasties]

Red Ribbon It is then!

Do you literally just use a bit of red ribbon or is red tape better? What do you lot use

? Her tail will hopefully be plaited.

 

[lauraandjack]

If tail is plaited anyway I'd use a nice wide red ribbon. Needs to be vidsible! Especially for a show, make it decorative as well as functional! Or for a native plait a small section in the middle of the tail, fasten with hair bobble and attach a wide ribbon to that. That's how I did green ribbon for hairy sec D hunting for the first time.

 

[emmiec12]

I use red tape - easier and stays in better.

 

[megwan1]

red bandage tape is good

 

[emma69]

Simply, no. Putting a red ribbon on your horse identifies that you know the horse kicks, and can increase your liability should your horse kick someone (as it could be argued that taking a known kicker to an event twhere there is likely to be other horses / people around is not taking reasonable precautions, knowing she is a kicker). A green ribbon however, simply signifies that the horse is inexperienced, so no such admission of liability.

 

[DunRoamin]

I would put a green Ribbon on as ur not sure wat to expect, Buzz bucks like [****] out of excitment any where thats not home so althhough hes 18 people get the idea with a green ribbon on him, i never used to but it does me a favor as well as other people, I've also seen a yellow ribbon on a pony and was told it meant rearer?? is that right??

 

[DunRoamin]

Under bsja rules, Stallions have to wear red white and blue ribbon GewnLp as well as a badge.

 

[hussar]

QR
Yes, I would. My horse occasionally bucks and kicks out when excited and has landed two riders who were too close (despite red ribbon) in A&E. He has never kicked out at horse or human in any other circumstance but I would never go out in company without the ribbon, just in case. From the responses on here, not everyone knows what the other colours mean but everyone understands red!