Arena Riding Etiquette

You may have seen a horse with a red ribbon tied in its tail and wondered what it means.

A red ribbon is a universal warning:

👉 This horse may kick if another horse gets too close.

⭐ Arena Etiquette 101

1️⃣ Maintain at least two horse lengths of space

Horses need room to feel safe.

Crowding can cause kicking, nipping, pinning ears, or sudden stops.

TES rule:

👉 Always keep at least two full horse lengths between your horse and the one in front of you.

If you get too close, circle away, slow down, or move to an inside track to regain space.

2️⃣ Never ride directly next to another horse

Even very friendly horses can become anxious or defensive when another horse rides beside them.

TES rule:

👉 Do not ride shoulder-to-shoulder.

Keep a clear “bubble” around your horse on all sides.

3️⃣ Pass left shoulder to left shoulder

When riders are traveling in opposite directions:

👉 Meet left shoulder to left shoulder, just like cars passing on the road.

This keeps traffic predictable and prevents surprises.

4️⃣ Do not stop on the rail

If you need to adjust stirrups, fix your reins, or pause for any reason:

TES rule:

👉 Move to the center of the arena before stopping.

Stopping on the rail blocks traffic and creates unsafe close-contact situations.



5️⃣ Faster horses stay to the inside — slower horses stay to the outside

This keeps the arena flowing smoothly.

• Riders walking or riding slower stay on the outside track.

• Riders trotting or cantering ride on the inside track or use the full arena.

TES rule:

👉 Outside = slower. Inside = faster.