Would you ever have a red ribbon even thou' your horse DOESN'T kick?

Hornby

Hornby

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Ok, probably a rant but my mare got really worried at the dressage warm up yesterday due to the large number of large horses, all cantering, different reins, close behind/ overtaking, one grinding teeth and threatening to go up, one that didn't want to turn in canter - 5 sec delay to aids, a couple of riders with the test pinned to the pommel, three chatting riders, a guy on crutches and a partridge in a pear tree! Test sheet said "lacking engagement and not going forward"
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I'm not surprised! I thought she was an angel not to run away screaming - and my language was rather blue! Is this life and we should just get over it or would a red ribbon make people a little more respectful - even though my mare won't kick...she puts her ears flat back cos she is worried not violent (though I am!) Advice please...(this was unaffliated, would BD be better or worse...we are only 15.2 and hairy is that part of the prob too?)
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What a nightmare, it is only a small area to warm up in, and other people are so rude!, it spoils the whole experience. I've used the outdoor before now, but it was a bit chilly last night!

I would try a ribbon next time, see if it makes a difference.
 
I do when on a young or highly strung horse out hunting, no reason why you shouldnt at comps, though think there is a rule regarding red ribbons in dressage....
 
Well I don't think its just unaffliated or the fact that you were on a 15.2 hairy horse!

When I went to the Trailblazers finals last year (on my "posh warmblood") the warmup was a nightmare. People did not grasp the concept of left to left, there were instructors shouting instructions from the side, it was totally cramped. On the second day a particular women (who is actually from my local area) insisted on riding with an excessively large crop and proceeded to catch my horse with it everytime she rode past
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OUr hate this at dressgae, partly because they are only 13.2, and because they are only used to warming up at shows blinkered. Because of this Ginga trys to bolt fowards abit when a big horse comes past,and Pip trys to run backwards. Although it wuodn't help you I warm up blinkered, then take them off just before the test. If it is possable you can try being first to go and get in there before every one and just walk round when other people arrive. A ribbon would be very good, I would be tempted to take it off before the test though.
 
yeh i would if u didnt want other horses near- noone would know she doesnt really kick. noone should ever see a horse with a red ribbon kick as they shouldn't technically ever get that close to find out- so go ahead.... u mite aswell if it's upsetting her..........
 
I can sympathise with the warm-up problems - can be a nightmare sometimes. One point to consider if contemplating putting a red ribbon on, is that you might want to sell the horse at some point, and it could be branded a kicker.
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Im not convinced BD is much better although it may be slightly less busy - at the warm-up last week we had one girl riding really close to other competitors with a packet of tic-tacs in her pocket making a very strange noise - needless to say most found it unnerving to say the least. I do think some people are unaware of the left to left rule - apparently the week before at the same venue someone had been ridden into so violently she had dislocated her knee
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. Hate to think how painful that must have been..
I would certainly try a ribbon and see if it gets you any more space. However the cynical part of me wonders if it may actually do the opposite, ie. encourage other competitors to ride closely hoping that it may upset your horse and put you off ...
 
I use red and green when hunting a young horse. Also used to put a red ribbon on our old first pony as he used to turn round and try to bite horses that upset him, often unseating the rider. With the ribbon on and a bit more space he was an angel.
 
Hi there, I defo would and (until commited to box rest for what seems like all eternity) was going to do it at the very next competition I went to. My mare has never been known to kick out although when people come too close she really freaks out which at the same time makes me really nervous, nervous for my own safety and for anyone around me, even though the horses intention is not to be nasty I'm worried she may leap on someone in the way.
I see it that a red ribbon is to help prevent accidents so if you feel that you or anyone around you could get hurt then I agree a red ribbon maybe a good idea.
 
I would def consider a red ribbon.

I lose count how many times i want to say LEFT TO LEFT!!!

I might put a ribbon on next time put take it off before i go in!
 
I sometimes used to put a red ribbon on depending on where I was, he didnt kick but it would always keep people at bay a little more!
Yet I know kickers who DONT wear a ribbon
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Yep Da's worn a red one out competing purely coz I couldn't find my green.

Eventually snapped at child who shrieked at everyone who came into the warm up "don't go near it, it kicks" It doesn't but the rider might!
 
You can use a small red ribbon in the tail for BD, not green tho. Im going to start putting one on Archie, as the amount of idiots who ride at me and freak him out then tell me its my fault is unbelievable
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If I'm a youngster then I do use a red ribbon and say in a firm voice (not shreiking) if anyone disregards the ribbon that 'I'm on a young horse who is likely to explosed if you continue to ride too close to use, please give me more room'. Doesn't make you very popular but has the desired effect! I also tend to pick my competition venue for youngsters but the warm up area as it is so easy to put a baby off or end up with a hyper horse - not good when you want submission & calmness!
 
True, but how does the law stand on this?

Only because my horse kicked someone in the warmup at a BSJA comp a few years ago and broke their leg. They then tried to sue me even though it was them that rode up behind MY horse several times before he did it.

Just wondered it having a red ribbon would stop people from trying to sue or if they would have grounds to?
 
i am going to use one next year as my horse hates people coming up her backside and then she bronks and gallops off!!! can be horrendous when the warm up is small! she has never kicked in her like she just gallops off but is fine when she is given more space!
 
Thanks for all the replies - glad I am not the only one aware of the issues, last night I seemed to be the only person watching the other horses, riders and thinking about what might happen even walking on an inner track was very difficult. I will try the ribbon. BD rule 55 says "discrete red bows in the tail are permitted for horses that kick" so I will buy some and put it in. TGM - my mare is 16 and not going anywhere so I won't worry about putting buyers off in my case...my disbelieving expression, scowls and muttered swear words might though!
 
Absolutely!

I started with a red ribbon on Lex (who does kick if she gets half a chance).

Discovered that it definitely helps (especially BSJA) so now I use them whatever I am riding if I am at a venue with limited warm up.

Collecting rings are a nightmare - your horse will probably improve with experience. Sometimes you just need to take a deep breath and go with the flow!
 
Interesting! Considering how horrible it was, my mare did try her best but I will try a ribbon next time and see if I get more room! (Just a bit, I'm not too greedy!) and I will try to be more calm too (that might help, both of us being paranoid probably didn't help).
 
Alisha will have a red ribbon in her tail when i start comepting her again, not cos she kicks but cos she gets grumpy if anything gets too close! I wouldn't put it past her to kick something, just have never seen her do it so better to be safe than sorry
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i have done at a local SJ centre as i knew it would be packed to the rafters, my mare doesn't kick i don't think she'd dare however she does panick and go up, or get a bit fruity and through her front legs forward if a gelding comes to close. so i put one on and the ring steward cleared the area when i was waiting to go in like i had the plague !! so it worked quite well, except afterwards they made me leave straight away and i wanted to watch my friends round so that was a bit of a bummer!
 
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