My failed dressage horse…a big beautiful Clydesdale cross that loves to jump,
is going fox hunting next week for the first time. I have heard that a white ribbon tied to a horse’s tail, tells
hunt folk that “discreet inquires are invited”…i.e…the horse is for sale!
This one is and I would love to spread the word at this hunt. Is this practice
still considered proper? It is the Farmington Hunt btw. The kind folks on the
Dressage forum suggested I post this here. Thanks!
Nope, not common practice at all. And IIRC correctly, white is not for sale, I thought a blue ribbon meant that.
Anyways, if it’s the horse’s first time out, I wouldn’t be advertising it for sale, especially if it might have a dumb moment.
I always thought white was for stallions?
Ditto ab06, white means stallions. 
If I remember right…
Red - Horse is a Kicker
Green- Horse is Green
Yellow- Horse is a Stallion
White-Horse is for Sale.
Ok who has their copy of hunting with hounds in north America? I think the answer should be in there. I am stuck commuting on the train at the moment, otherwise I would look in my copy!
found my copy only red is mentioned it my edition.
but it was a rather quick check
12 edition 1987
ps wrong as usual…i thought green [as in the color of money] ment fsbo
It’s just an old tradition. I learned it when I was a little kid, and it wasn’t just for foxhunting. You’d put in any horse for sale when you went to a show. I vaguely remember reading it… in an old book maybe? Memory is fuzzy.
But I think the last time the subject came up, someone pointed out that adornments like that weren’t permitted in the show rules (for that show or discipline; can’t remember) Guess that’s an indication of how old this tradition is.
Evidently whip poppers have meaning too but I’ll be darned if I can trace the origin of that.
Black - members of the clergy or members without colors
Blue - lady members with colors
Red - Staff? Gentlemen with colors? (need more coffee; memory is fuzzy)
Uh… someone fill in the blanks - I can’t remember anything anymore!
There’s all kinds of traditions and customs with the colored stuff. Garters, crops, ribbons, poppers, etc.
I think if I did it I’d jinx myself. But I have that sort of luck!
White poppers are for staff.
Aha!
Thanks, SLW.
I need a flow chart for some of this stuff. :lol:
I’m afraid I don’t follow all the traditions, I have something much stronger than sherry in my flask!
As I figured, baroquelady, even if you put the correct color ribbon on the horse’s tail, most people will not get it.
A better approach would be to let hunt trainer/instructors with regular hunt clientele know about the horse’s availability. Oh, and don’t forget to mention their commission. 
At our hunt, you’d email the hunt secretary and she would send out the information to everyone on her email list. Seems to work.
This is correct. Although you will usually only see white ribbons at LARGE gatherings, such as Aiken Hunt week, VA hunt week, etc.
And as SteeleRdr said, I would NOT advertise a horse his first time out. Take him out 3-6 times, and then advertise him as a prospect field hunter.
Maybe when you body clip him you could leave a nice little “4 SALE” in long hair on both sides of his butt.
Interesting to see the different answers. In our area on trail rides and in Limited Distance rides a stallion will wear a white ribbon.
I vote yes!
I agree w/5. White is for sale I thought. Looks like we all agree with the reds & greens!!
Can you put a red/green AND white on at the same time? Oh heck why not!!??!! :winkgrin:
I’ve used red/green together because I was on a greenie that I didn’t KNOW if they would kick!! :yes:
Better safe than sorry. And stay in the back!!!
[QUOTE=wateryglen;3602368]
Can you put a red/green AND white on at the same time? Oh heck why not!!??!! :winkgrin:[/QUOTE]
Doesn’t that mean ‘I’m Italian’?
[QUOTE=Painted Wings;3598764]
Maybe when you body clip him you could leave a nice little “4 SALE” in long hair on both sides of his butt.[/QUOTE]:lol::lol::lol::lol:
LMAO! I’m going to start wearing that ribbon in my hair!:lol:
