Are we being silly?

[Taisypops]

Where I livery my horse is just behind a housing scheme and we can hack out some routes all on street lit roads so weve ventured out a few street lit hacks covered in reflective gear and flashing leds The few hacks Ive been on have went ok with no drama so was thinking we could carry on doing this? Just riding on the roads in the dark always seemed a bit mental but orse has previously always been liveried in the middle of no where up big dark hills...x

 

[FfionWinnie]

I would do it too.

 

[Bobbly]

Why not? Provided you are clearly visible to others then you are no worse off than a cyclist except for the horses spook factor in the dark I suppose. In my youth I used to ride and lead my two at 5.30 in the morning over winter to keep them fit for hunter trialling.

 

[Goldenstar]

No I would not.

 

[Rose Folly]

Don't see why not. When my horse was once kept a few miles from home I used to have to drive through a biggish village (3500-4000 eople) to get to her. On winter nights I frequently used to come across a couple of showjumpers I knew bring ridden round the housing estate and quieter streets. They were lit up like Blackpool illuminations, just like you describe, and were visible for MILES.

The first time I saw them it was not until I was very close tht I realised what they were. They rode side by side, so resembled at first a big bit of farm machinery or highways vehicle. Very impressive, and all the traffic gave them a very wide berth.

I think they had Hi VIz rugs, tail bandages and leg bandages, while the riders had H-V jackets, bands on boots and hats, and flashing LEDS on their stirrup irons and top of hats.

 

[madmav]

If you're lit up, I suspect no more of a risk than the gloomy lanes I ride day time. I do the hi-viz bit. Yard owner, high-end of eventing rider, never puts any on. Nor do her grooms. Maybe they like living dangerously.