Watch That Red Ribbon
July 29, 2011
Ribbons, braids, tail covers, and blankets aren't all just to keep a horse neat and clean. Red ribbons have a specific meaning that you need to understand. This Horse Will Kick!
We all talk about arena etiquette or trail etiquette but red ribbons aren't always listed in the rules. However, it is a universal horse language when you see a red ribbon in a horses tail. A red ribbon in a horse tail is to warn others that their horse will kick if you get too close. I always wonder though, why should we need to put a warning like this on a horse. Riding etiquette is clear that you should keep a horse distance away from other horses. This isn't something that varies from arena to arena, it is just the way it is. Would you run in front of a loaded gun? Well a horses hind legs are just as dangerous. Would you put yourself in a space where those legs can reach? Of course an accident can happen and you don't mean to get that close. But it shouldn't matter if they have a red ribbon in their tail or not, stay out of the danger zone!
Here is the unfortunate part. There are some riders out there with no common sense that they always run up on another horses hind end. It is so frustrating when this happens. So what do people, they put a ribbon in their tail even if their horse has no history of kicking other just to keep those people with less respect off their horses tail. This seems to defeat the purpose of the red ribbon in the tail. Why doesn't everyone just ride they way they should and stay a horse length away from others.
Of course there is always the instance where you go and ride in a space where there just isn't enough room to ride safely or the event requires horses get closer than the safe distance of a horse length away. In that case, if you and your horse can't handle it... don't go. If your horse is going to be nasty and kick another horse because they haven't been taught to keep control of their anger, perhaps they don't belong there.
It all comes back to common sense. For when you are riding around those that don't have it, stick a red ribbon in your tail. Maybe the universal red ribbon sign of 'stay back' will help.
We all talk about arena etiquette or trail etiquette but red ribbons aren't always listed in the rules. However, it is a universal horse language when you see a red ribbon in a horses tail. A red ribbon in a horse tail is to warn others that their horse will kick if you get too close. I always wonder though, why should we need to put a warning like this on a horse. Riding etiquette is clear that you should keep a horse distance away from other horses. This isn't something that varies from arena to arena, it is just the way it is. Would you run in front of a loaded gun? Well a horses hind legs are just as dangerous. Would you put yourself in a space where those legs can reach? Of course an accident can happen and you don't mean to get that close. But it shouldn't matter if they have a red ribbon in their tail or not, stay out of the danger zone!
Here is the unfortunate part. There are some riders out there with no common sense that they always run up on another horses hind end. It is so frustrating when this happens. So what do people, they put a ribbon in their tail even if their horse has no history of kicking other just to keep those people with less respect off their horses tail. This seems to defeat the purpose of the red ribbon in the tail. Why doesn't everyone just ride they way they should and stay a horse length away from others.
Of course there is always the instance where you go and ride in a space where there just isn't enough room to ride safely or the event requires horses get closer than the safe distance of a horse length away. In that case, if you and your horse can't handle it... don't go. If your horse is going to be nasty and kick another horse because they haven't been taught to keep control of their anger, perhaps they don't belong there.
It all comes back to common sense. For when you are riding around those that don't have it, stick a red ribbon in your tail. Maybe the universal red ribbon sign of 'stay back' will help.