A plea to all: Hacking and Reflective gear

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lizzie_liz

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Please Please can you all remember to wear reflective kit on both you AND the horse, regardless of the weather or time of day.

I have just been out on a hack, well that was the plan, but I got thrown off in some woods we hack around and Honey galloped off in the direction of home. This involved crossing a busy road at about 5.45pm. I was left in the woods running after my beloved mare, in tears being scared I would find her lying by the side of the road.
Thankfully she had been caught on the road by some kind motorists who put on their hazard warning lights. It turned out she was trotting along the middle of the road in the wrong direction of home.
I am so glad she had her reflective exercise sheet on and her reflective breastplate/neckstrap on. A fellow livery stopped and looked after her until I or someone else from the yard came to get her. She said it was the flash of yellow that attracted her attention.
Sorry if this sounds very waffling but am not long back from the yard and still a bit shocked over what has happened.
I will always being hacking out regardless of time of day in reflective gear.
 
Oh god poor you. A similar thing happened to me once, but luckily no major roads involved, just some poor couples prized garden and one big hanoverian (not a good mix) luckily they were very understanding when I eventually found him. They were acctually more concerned about me. I hope you are both ok!
 
Glad you're both ok. My horse and I parted company out hacking a couple of years ago and its a horrible feeling knowing they're loose on the road. Sounds like a case for a soak in a warm bath and a big glass of wine!
It is food for thought - I always wear reflective gear, but don't often put any on my horse.
 
It was very scary as I have owned her since I was 14 and I am now 21, we have been through so much together.
And yes both of us are fine, she jogged all the way back to the yard.
 
You poor thing I am glad you both came home safely. Similar thing happened to me. Horse bogged off down a windy country lanes with high hedges that went to a busy A road. Que me winded crying on the phone to the police. Same as you kind motorist found her. There was about 4 cars searching for me. To this day I can't she blinking left me. The second time she done it. I was found knocked out in the in the woods and it was only as I wearing Hi Viz they found me. I always wear Hi Viz even though we have 100's of acres of off road hacking
 
glad you are both ok, that must have been terrifying for you, i always wear a big bright yellow jacket,people laugh but i dont give a monkeys
i put reflectives on my horse when its cold or raining in the form of a big exercise sheet, but i would like to buy some more reflectives for her, think i might toddle off and look on ebay now, as have been meaning to for ages anyway
 
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It was very scary as I have owned her since I was 14 and I am now 21, we have been through so much together.
And yes both of us are fine, she jogged all the way back to the yard.

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Same as me with my girl nearly. I've had her since I was 12 & I'm 23 coming up now so she's a part of my life.

I've already lost a pony through a car accident (poor fencing at livery + loose pony + drink driver = No pony
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So completely understand how awful you must have felt.

Well worth the extra 10 minutes or so to make sure you're that bit more visible regardless.

Go get that XL glass of wine!
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OMG how awful. Glad you're both in one piece.

I never go out without us both both being in reflective gear. I hate to see people without it, downright irresponsible IMO.
 
What a terrible experience! I agree, food for thought as I ALWAYS ride out in hi-viz but NEVER put it on my ned except in winter. He has a warm dayglo pink bum cover you can see from outer space but in the summer...zilch. Like Hullabaloo said, think I'll have a mooch around the internet and find something for him pronto. x
 
I always wear hi-vis on me, but I don't put anything on the horse. I've got some leg bands somewhere so I'll dig them out and see if I can get some other bits to put on him. Makes you think, doesn't it? Glad youre both okay, anyway
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I always wear hi viz when out hacking. For instance this morning I went for a hack with my friend from the yard and I wore a hi viz jacket and a hi viz hat cover. Doug was wearing hi viz limelite endurance spats on all four legs and usually he wears a tail bandage/wrap ( didn't have time to put on) and limelite strips that go on his bridle but they have been washed and I couldn't find them lol. But generally speaking we both wear hi viz and personally on today's roads I would not feel safe without it.
Caz
 
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