Anyone ride in the dark

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misskerry

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As the title.
Jut wondering would you go for a hack in dark during the winter..I work 9-6 most days during the week.. with Saturdays and Sundays off. I on hunt on sundays and spends Saturdays at our yard catching up on jobs I didn't do during the week..
Some times after spending the whole day at work all I want to do to unwind is go for a hack.. Our roads are quiet and the horse I would take bomb proof.. Is it doable? thanks
 
My sharers do a couple of times a week. Our lanes are extremely quiet and we avoid any "rush hour" routes. They are decked out like Xmas trees, I can see them going up the hill half a mile away!
 
You would have to be incredibly well lit and if your on roads probably best to have a car following you but I certainly wouldn't recommend it..
 
Yes, but only off road. I use a head torch sometimes, but depending on moonlight it's sometimes easier to see without it on.

I'm a cyclist and my experience of cycling on roads in the dark (lit up, with hi vis and reflectives) is bad enough - I would never risk the safety of my horses.
 
The way my sharers go is a dead end lane with only one house further up, so just doesn't get traffic. They only go that way, so I'm happy about it.
 
I used to hack in the dark most days, but at the time mine lived on my grandfather's farm & I had 2 routes - one 45 mins with NO roadwork & the other a bit longer, at the mid-point going 25 metres up a v quiet road & the crossing the same road on the way back. V unlucky to see a car, & I used to time it so it was light by the time I had to go up the road.

At the time I had a v sharp hannxTB, & wondered why he was good to hack in the week & a little **** at w'ends. Then I realised that it was dark all week so he couldn't see anything to spook at.

I wouldn't go on the road in the dark.

T x
 
No I wouldn't. Only just saw a rider in time tonight in the dark. They were wearing a faded hi viz vest but no other hi viz/lights, and were on a busy bottleneck thru a village. I wouldn't risk it on the roads x
 
My rider has been known to come home in the dark, more by accident than design, after nagging all summer about using hi viz, I had to go looking for her as dusk fell, it gets dark quick here, I found her still schooling in her makeshift arena, not having heard her phone. looking through the rear view mirror, even wearing a hi viz jacket she blended into the dark after about 30', with hindsight, I should have followed her home, but I was so furious because I had been imagining the worst, she now has to set her alarm for 30 mins before sunset
 
Bonkers.

Look at differently. Why would a car driver expect to see a horse in the dark ? what happens if you come off, loose horse in the dark.
 
catembi said:
At the time I had a v sharp hannxTB, & wondered why he was good to hack in the week & a little **** at w'ends. Then I realised that it was dark all week so he couldn't see anything to spook at.

T x
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Horses can see in the dark can't they? Maybe it was because you couldn't see anything for him to spook at in the dark?
 
I ride in the dark because if I don't, it's weekends only and that's just not enough.

However, it's mostly on the moors, and an exceedingly quiet, short, lane to get there.

I have lights and hi viz on myself and the horse, and I wait until the moon is up. I don't ride on cloudy or moonless nights.

I actually really enjoy night riding, but I wouldn't do it on roads.
 
Me and my friend accidentally stayed out too late with Ned and Cookie and I was so nervous! Thankfully it was only in the village which is pretty well lit, except for the short road back to the field which is pitch black.

We thankfully didn't meet anything, but I was listening for the slightest noise so we could pull over and let them past.

Never again though! I hated it!
 
Yes and have done so for years, but never on the road. Horses see well in the dark and a head light works for me and as an endurance rider, well we compete in the dark. And if I didn't I would go all winter with just riding in the weekends.

And I'm with Cragrat - it's acuatlly lovely to ride in the dark.
 
I used to but at 5am every morning. I only once saw a car and saw the lights from miles away so took myself off the road to avoid it. Did this for 2 winters when I worked full time. The best time to ride, no traffic to worry about. However I wouldn't do it on busy roads, ours are extremely quiet with wide verges.
 
flirtygerty said:
My rider has been known to come home in the dark, more by accident than design, after nagging all summer about using hi viz, I had to go looking for her as dusk fell, it gets dark quick here, I found her still schooling in her makeshift arena, not having heard her phone. looking through the rear view mirror, even wearing a hi viz jacket she blended into the dark after about 30', with hindsight, I should have followed her home, but I was so furious because I had been imagining the worst, she now has to set her alarm for 30 mins before sunset
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A bit off topic but I feel nostalgic seeing another person from Riding Mill :) It's a lovely area, I lived in Northumberland for four years, worked in Hexham hospital. First living in acomb then between Corbridge and RM - in a cottage a mile before the pub, I loved it :) The artisam in Corbridge is the nicest Chinese ever!

Personally I wouldn't ride in the dark, though can understand the desire to I just wouldn't risk it. When my pony was stabled on a yard with land I once ventured out in the dark (no roads). However pony obviously can't see as well either and i was paranoid the whole ride that I'd lead him into boggy/uneven ground and he'd lose his footing - the ground wasn't the best.

Now he's moved I'm lucky the yard is on my drive to work. The sun seems to start coming up at half 7 and I'm able to stay at the yard til 9am, so we fit a good couple of hacks in through the week :)
 
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Never on the road, that's madness. Apart from the obvious danger, it's not fair on other road users.

Otherwise, why not? I'm not sure I'd hack in strange areas on very dark nights but on familiar territory or schooling, no problem. I'm surprised at so many people saying horses don't see well in the dark - how do you think they manage to gallop around at night? Horses have very good night vision. In fact I'd be concerned that a head torch might actually interfere more than it helps.
 
I normally exercise first thing on weekday mornings, ride and lead one. It's the only way I can keep horses fit during the winter and work full time. I wear high viz and headlights and normally go out around 7am so it is just starting to get light. We have very quiet lanes and I normally only see the keepers (we are on a large shooting estate). They are used to seeing us and usually stop for a quick chat. My light is so bright it dazzles them! My neighbour, who is an MFH, does it too. I normally ride a certain route so it helps with the dogging in and keeps people happy.
 
i had one as many reflective things as possible plus an ankle light, a flashing headtorch cyclists use- one on the back of the horse, one over my hat, flashing light belt. you could see me from a very long way and still got hit (driver hadnt cleared windscreen before setting off)
so even easily viable its a big risk. i dont go on the roads at all now as its too risky near me. luckily have a long bridle path opposite my yard and big fields to ride on in summer.
 
Depends how dark I suppose- pitch black maybe not- but dusk, a light dawn, well lit roads or very moonlight- yes. lights, and florescent gear youre no harder to see than a cyclist.... and how else would I get my horse hunting fit while working full-time?
 
stormox said:
Depends how dark I suppose- pitch black maybe not- but dusk, a light dawn, well lit roads or very moonlight- yes. lights, and florescent gear youre no harder to see than a cyclist.... and how else would I get my horse hunting fit while working full-time?
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Likewise... I hack in the dark with a head torch, high viz and flashing thingies. On the road and on bridle paths. No issues.
 
not anymore but used to when I didn't have a school to work in. used to (years ago) hack to ponyclub every wednesday evening wven in winter. was just fine. horses can see very well in the dark and I would use a cycling light on my arm and on my leg.
 
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