ridecamp@endurance.net: [endurance] Red Ribbons
[endurance] Red Ribbons
Betsy O'Shea (boshea@magic1.org)
Thu, 11 Apr 1996 13:34:28 -0600
I was going to stay out of this hornet's nest - BUT- here goes with my
opinion!! Red ribbons are common in the hunt field and I suspect that's
where the idea originated. Now that is certainly a group of horses going at
speed and frequently in close quarters. People who have red ribbons on their
horse's tail are warning you that their horse is more prone to kick than the
average horse, so you had better keep your distance from such a horse. The
riders of red ribboned horses, in my experience, were extra cautious, so it
was really up to others to keep a safe distance. It was plenty ok to pass
such horses, all the red ribbon said was this horse needs kicking distance-
and I don't see what is unreasonable about that. When cars are rear ended,
who is at fault. Not the guy in front who slammed on his brakes. I can't
imagine 6 ft distance is ok for any horse. I assume all horses kick and
leave plenty of room in case they do. Several years ago I was pleasure
riding with a group and I was riding in the back with my red ribbon TB
mare. one of the riders, unbeknownst to me, went off by herself and when she
joined the group, came galloping up behind my mare, slamming into my horse.
whereupon my horse kicked, her horse turned, to avoid being kicked, and the
rider took the full brunt of the kick and broke her leg. Now if that isn't
the stupidest of accidents, I don't know what is. I have not known my mare
to kick when watering with a group, but I always put her on the outside,
dismount, and stand between her and the next horse. It seems like that's
the prudent thing to do. I don't expect other people to accomodate me when I
ride a red ribbon horse, but I expect basic safety. When I am riding a
regular horse and see a red ribbon, I keep plenty of distance.
Betsy O'Shea
boshea@magic1.org
Paola,Kansas