Another hi-viz plea- *pics*

Law

Law

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I know over the last few weeks we've had a few posts about hi-viz but last night I very nearly took a horse and rider out because they were wearing no hi-viz at all. It was 5:45 and the light was fading quickly and it was on a back country road, single track with high hedges. I was driving around 15-20 MPH. It is a twisty road. From my visability I would have said the road was clear and this was a safe speed.
I saw the horse about 10-15 ft from my bonnet and slammed on my brakes skidding about 3 feet and made the horse unsettled.
Horse and rider proceeded to ride up virtually to my bonnet before I waved them to stop as I was trying to get car in reverse.
I reversed back about 150 yards of the way to the junction, round bends (she could have turned around and gone in the layby 30 ft from her)

I put my window down and was shaken by the experience and said to her firmly that she really should be wearing hi viz in these light conditions and at that time of night and that I was very sorry for upsetting her and the horse but it was very scarey to nearly hit them. She was appologetic but I just hope to god for the sake of her and her horse that she gets some hi-viz.
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I took these pics after I had reversed back just to highlight how hi-viz would have made quite a difference.


Spot the horse and rider...

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I would have been about this far before I saw them
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I know most of us do wear it but those that don't PLEASE do!
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OMG
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Talk about accident waiting to happen. Thank goodness it was you and not someone totally unhorsey who was driving along - could have been quite a different story. Stupid woman and poor horse
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What a complete Tw@t.
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Hi-Viz she should have lights aswell. As a minimum I always have Hi-Viz/Reflective boots on all four legs (these are great as the movement really draws the eye to them) and a tabbard. In poor light I have a quarter sheet (with tail flap) and lights (from and rear).

Bet you needed a strong sweet tea after!!! She is so lucky you weren't going any faster.
 
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Bet you needed a strong sweet tea after!!! She is so lucky you weren't going any faster.

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It was horrible. I was shocked, angry and shaken at first. I should say that she was way around that corner when I saw her- not on a big bend or clear section like in the photos- but I think you get the picture!
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that is really stupid, i have to admit i dont always where high viz, if its good visability in the day etc, and i ride on the moors where there arnt any cars, but i would always where high viz if it was geting dark, misty, raining etc.
she obviously doesnt value her, or her horses life, as that is so dangerous
 
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i have to admit i dont always where high viz, if its good visability in the day etc, and i ride on the moors where there arnt any cars, but i would always where high viz if it was geting dark, misty, raining etc.
she obviously doesnt value her, or her horses life, as that is so dangerous

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But if you were to fall off on the moors - wearing hi viz would make it much easier to find you. I know this from personal experience
 
Hope you don't mind, but have copied and posted pics on another horsey forum I go on...........the more people who see these pics the better IMO. It my just save someone life (be they two or four legged).
 
thats so scary!! imagine someone had come from behind round a bend!! dont think i would ride once it was that dark, though it is easy to get caught out!! girls that ride my pony went out at 4pm last night and they both had viz vests (one walks and they swap half way), pony had yellow sheet, hi viz tail guard, hi viz martingale, bridle strips and leg bands!! i had to laugh when they left the yard as sun was still shining but seeing your pictures makes me very very glad i sent them out like that!!
 
oh my gawd. i am afraid i was a rider who wasnt convinced by hi viz (never wore it as a kid) but i have heard so many accidents i now go for it and wear all out pink flashing lights! its not fair on your horse either to put him at risk. i have never been allowed to ride in poor light and still dont now.
 
I'm neurotic about hi viz. When we loaned our pony out we even made it a loan condition that there must be hi viz on rider & pony when riding out. It's not just useful on the road. I have found it helps dog walkers see me & get the dog on a lead earlier & also a farmer I know commented that he spotted me early & could stop his tractor before I got close.
 
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Would you mind if i used these pics on another forum? *not ew*, the one in my sig?

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That's fine
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I think it's a pretty reasonable example to illustrate why hi-viz is important!
 
That rider needs to take a look at the new Highway Code. Without any hi-viz, she could be held responsible if she were in a road accident, and her insurance company would most likely walk away from the claim.
 
thats scary!! those pics are really good because they show just how close the horse has to be to the car before it is seen! Hi-viz makes such a difference!!
 
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That rider needs to take a look at the new Highway Code. Without any hi-viz, she could be held responsible if she were in a road accident, and her insurance company would most likely walk away from the claim.

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I wonder if she was insured tbh
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OMG. I had a similar experience last night at 5.30pm. Teenager on a bay horse dressed in black (the girl) came down our narrow road. I was reversing into our drive way and only noticed her because I heard the hooves. At that time of night the road is very busy and, although a 20mph, most traffic travels much faster. She was heading for a main road into the town with blind bends in it. idiot.
 
It's seriously worrying
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I just don't know why some people do it. I used to be like 'oh, I don't need hi viz, i'm just off for a short hack through the fields' but i would never dream of leaving the yard without it now and it feels horrid if I forget it and I have to turn back!
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Wearing no hi viz like that was just downright idiotic and the rider obviously has no regard for life be it human or animal.
I may be blunt and my words may seem harsh but I can in no way excuse that rider and their attitude towards safety
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Personally I would not have rode in that situation anyway ( even wearing hi viz) unless it was absolutely necessary or somthing had happened which had delayed my return to the yard.
However I don't ride during the very early hours or with a few hours to go before dusk anyway just in case something should happen as I would much rather be late returning home in proper daylight that in the dark.
Shame on that rider though and I hope the OP is not too badly shaken up x
Cazx
This was me before a hack in Dec with my usual hi viz and he wears a hi viz tail guard/bandage too. Can't wear a sheet even though I have them as they slip under saddle.
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