Ribbons in a horses tail. What do all the different colours mean?

When you're out competing or hunting you will find the occasional horse or pony has a ribbon in its tail. There are four different coloured ribbons that will all represent something about that individual pony.

If you haven't seen this before or don't know what the individual colour ribbons mean then this post is for you!

There are four colours of ribbon you may find in a horses tail: red, green, blue and white. Each colour has its own meaning.

RED:  Red ribbons signify a horse kicks. If you see a red ribbon in a horses tail it is to warn other riders or people passing by to be wary of the horse and not get too close. This colour is often the most common you will see when out with your horses and one that other riders are most familiar with.

GREEN:  A green ribbon means that the horse is inexperienced and may misbehave. This colour ribbon is suitable for young horses or those that are generally spooky. If you encounter a horse with a green ribbon in its tail then give it quite a wide berth and space. It may be nervous, so just be careful.


BLUE:  Blue ribbons signifies that this horse is a stallion and could potentially be unpredictable. It is helpful for stallion handlers to put this colour ribbon in their horses tail, especially if you have a mare as it warns you to stay away.

WHITE: White ribbons are helpful for letting others know that this horse is for sale. It can be difficult to advertise a horse is for when our competing or hunting, so using a white ribbon is an excellent way to show that your horse is for sale. It is also a fantastic idea as prospective buyers can see him perform in the ring and know that they can approach you after the class.

Next time you're out competing and you see a horse with a coloured ribbon its tail you will now know what it means!

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