Confession? Does anyone NOT wear hiviz?

I don't and no-one on our yard does either(bar one new person, but she cam from roadwork so happens to have hi-vis as her normal stuff!), but then we have zero roadwork! I know there are arguments for helicopters finding you if you fall off, but we tend to ride in pairs or tell someone where we are going. Also there if normally other people around so the risk assessment is minimal risk!
 
I ride on my own a lot of the time, all off road.
I never go out without at least a hi viz tabard, if not a jacket. having had to look for a rider who tumbled off at walk into the heather & knocked herself on a random large stone when her horse stumbled onto his knees (she was wearing browns & dark olives and therefore pretty camoflaged) whose horse legged it, I wouldn't go out without it :)
 
YO at the last yard didn't and he thought anyone who did was a wuss.

Each to their own but I do as I feel it's one little step I can take to keep my horse as safe as possible on our busy, hedged country lanes.
 
I think if yard managers/ owners make the rule that you wear high viz when you leave the yard (and if you dont like it get lost!) then a lot more people would wear it.

Oh and riding a big white horse ... nah .. doesnt cut it!!!!
 
We don't, as we are lucky enough to have hacking which doesn't warrant it in normal visibility - lanes and busy town, shared with tons of cyclists, tractors etc, all of which does it's bit to keep the car driver wary. There are lots of police about, who would, I'm sure notice if we become a hazard.
I have a whole stack of hi-viz, which everyone wears in poor visibility (carrying such horsey logos as 'first aid' and 'xyz construction ltd'), but it's no more than a few times a year. Nobody ignores us as we're usually in numbers, which gives you a bit more road presence, especially if kicking on a bit!
 
Kaimar said:
Frankly, the onus is on drivers to be aware of their surroundings and drive safely and considerately, instead of speeding, faffing about on their phone, chatting to passengers, or other homicidally stupid stuff. No amount of hi-viz will help against any of that. Bear in mind that if a vulnerable person (EG - young child; person with dementia) were to wander off from those caring for them, they are very unlikely to spontaneously burst into hi-viz. Nor are cattle, sheep, or deer, and they're all common enough encounters. If you can't spot a dog walking beside its owner then you shouldn't be driving - and before anyone starts whining about it being dark, that's why you have headlights.
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But why wouldn't you want to give drivers every chance of seeing you as early as possible? I was driving down a tree-lined country lane the other day in grey, overcast weather. I spotted a bright yellow "something" way in the distance and realised there was probably a horse or a jogger or something up ahead. Sure enough, it was a horse and rider (bay horse, rider wearing dark coat). If it hadn't been for their hiviz I wouldn't have even known they were there until much further down the road.

You can't just put the onus on drivers to just spot you if you're blending in to the surroundings. People get distracted, that's just fact. We as riders are vulnerable road users so imo we need to do everything possible to keep ourselves safe.
 
I do ensure that one of us is wearing hi viz if the visibility is a bit poor and we are going onto the very short stretch of road that we occasionally use (mostly don't do any roadwork at all). I am not sure I entirely understand the point about the air ambulance seeing me though...... I often ride in dense woodland, and presumably if I fall off I would either be sufficiently compos mentis to be able to call the air ambulance myself and describe the location, or if found by someone they would be able to do the same and do all the flagging down necessary when the ambulance comes into sight? Having said that I am thrilled with my new Aldi hi viz purchase and it has become my riding jacket of choice!
 
I only started wearing hi viz a few years ago, and I'm now like a reformed smoker - no-one is allowed to leave my yard without it. Even the dog has a hi viz coat, or a flashing collar. He has a tendency to peg it when I'm busy doing other things, so I try and remember to turn his disco lights on when we leave the house
 
Antw23uk said:
I think if yard managers/ owners make the rule that you wear high viz when you leave the yard (and if you dont like it get lost!) then a lot more people would wear it.

Oh and riding a big white horse ... nah .. doesnt cut it!!!!
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Staff is one thing clients are another clients have the right to take there own desisions when their not on the yard .
IF I am on the road I were a coat or a waistcoat if not I don't .
I dislike hi viz stuff the quality and cut is terrible so the less I have it on the happier I am.
 
Goldenstar said:
I dislike hi viz stuff the quality and cut is terrible so the less I have it on the happier I am.
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Just to say that is not my experience of it because my hi-vis winter coat (from a well-known workwear supplier) is actually the warmest and most waterproof coat I own. It's a bit too large but that was my mistake in ordering on line after losing weight. I would have no hesitation in buying another from the same source. Great quality seams, robust two-way zip, loads of pockets and a good high neck for when the wind is blowing straight in from Siberia. I believe it has a hood but have never investigated as hate hoods but, if so, it's very nicely flatpacked and concealed in the collar. Two years of winter riding and it still looks brand new and it washes brilliantly.
 
Goldenstar said:
Staff is one thing clients are another clients have the right to take there own desisions when their not on the yard .
IF I am on the road I were a coat or a waistcoat if not I don't .
I dislike hi viz stuff the quality and cut is terrible so the less I have it on the happier I am.
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If yards have rules .. and lets face it the rules list can sometimes be endless then surely the YO can make this part of the rules of being on the yard?. And i guess its not even about a duty of care, its about saying this is my yard, my rules. When you ride off this yard you are representing it and therefore we want to be seen as a safe, responsible place who look after our horses.

I think half the issue is riders perception of wearing high viz. If you wear high viz you are seen as a 'hobby' rider or a 'beginner' .. or even a sado? Image seems so important for some riders ... they have to have the latest designer riding jacket/ jods/ hat ... if they look the part then they must be a really good pro rider and anyone wearing high viz is just a muppet?
 
The yard I used to be on had good hacking but off several busy roads. I built up my hi-viz collection when I was there and me and the pony went out looking like we belonged in the Blackpool illuminations.

I've moved to a yard with our own hacking around the fields, so I have no need to go on a road, so I don't wear my hi-viz out hacking around the fields. If I go for a walk up the lane though, I always put something on.

If I went back on the roads properly, I would always be kitted out- both me and the pony.
 
moleskinsmum said:
Just to say that is not my experience of it because my hi-vis winter coat (from a well-known workwear supplier) is actually the warmest and most waterproof coat I own. It's a bit too large but that was my mistake in ordering on line after losing weight. I would have no hesitation in buying another from the same source. Great quality seams, robust two-way zip, loads of pockets and a good high neck for when the wind is blowing straight in from Siberia. I believe it has a hood but have never investigated as hate hoods but, if so, it's very nicely flatpacked and concealed in the collar. Two years of winter riding and it still looks brand new and it washes brilliantly.
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Where did you get your coat moleskinsmum? I need a new one and what you have described sounds perfect :)
 
I ride mainly off-road and mainly on my own but wouldn't consider leaving the yard without being fully hi-vized up. I have seen numerous compelling reasons to wear hi viz and nothing but lame excuses for not doing so.

I drive with a dash cam and am happy to demonstrate to difference taking responsibility for your own safety makes to vulnerable road users (walkers, cyclists, runners, riders et al). Tbh I find cyclists the most cavalier about their own safety. I'm a bit of a hi viz warrior and will readily stop barely visible road users if it is safe to do so and point out they cannot be seen.
 
I'm shocked at anyone that could have the view that 'its the drivers responsibility'

Bull crap :)

It's YOUR responsibility to make sure you have done everything in your power to make sure you can be seen from the earliest moment - whether that be riding your horse/pony on a road or even off road (emergency services will find you quicker led in a field wearing hiviz!), whether you are a dog walker, runner or a cyclist.

I wear hiviz on our quiet lane all year round - i owe it to my ponies and my family to do all i can to be seen.

Just to add, i don't give a flyer about the cut or quality, as long as i can be seen!
 
To those who say wear hi-viz even for off road riding in case you fall off and can't be found. Would you also wear hi-viz for walking or cycling off road at anytime and if not why not?
 
burtie said:
To those who say wear hi-viz even for off road riding in case you fall off and can't be found. Would you also wear hi-viz for walking or cycling off road at anytime and if not why not?
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Yep.

My black lab even had a neon flashing collar.

Tbh my "go to" coat is a Hi Vis bomber jacket so I wear it all the time out of comfort more than anything.

When I rode scooters (50cc and 125cc) I had a Hi Vis tabard on over my bike jacket at all times.
 
moleskinsmum said:
Just to say that is not my experience of it because my hi-vis winter coat (from a well-known workwear supplier) is actually the warmest and most waterproof coat I own. It's a bit too large but that was my mistake in ordering on line after losing weight. I would have no hesitation in buying another from the same source. Great quality seams, robust two-way zip, loads of pockets and a good high neck for when the wind is blowing straight in from Siberia. I believe it has a hood but have never investigated as hate hoods but, if so, it's very nicely flatpacked and concealed in the collar. Two years of winter riding and it still looks brand new and it washes brilliantly.
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Mine too - I got mine from Mole Valley and its brilliant. Very waterproof, warm and very bright. A farmer drove past me this morning as I was out exercising and commented on how bright I was and that he could see me from miles away. He also commented on various other local riders who he cannot see as they are wearing dark clothes riding dark horses on country roads. Even if you can see a flash of yellow above a hedge, you will slow down because there is clearly someone there. I do ride with an Amigo yellow hi viz exercise sheet as well. They are brilliant.

My feelings on the matter (having been totally anti hi viz for many years) is that by wearing hi viz I am ensuring that drivers have every chance to see me and slow down therefore hopefully avoiding an accident. Admittedly I ride in the dark in the mornings so need hi viz but I do wear it during the day as well if I ride. If I don't put it on, it feels a bit like I've not got my hat on if that makes sense!!
 
What I have been thinking about making is is a yellow flashing light on a stick attached to the carriage (like tractors have). Now that would be helpful. It's the hedge height that's the problem, especially on bends on the faster roads.
 
Camilla's Aunty Em said:
But how would the heli spot you if you were to fall?
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My horse is not a happy hacker when she's alone so, I always hack in company - we do have a 'hacking field' owned by the yard, fully enclosed with various tracks around it and across it. This is the only place I would hack alone - the yard knows where I am.

burtie said:
To those who say wear hi-viz even for off road riding in case you fall off and can't be found. Would you also wear hi-viz for walking or cycling off road at anytime and if not why not?
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I cycle a lot and yes, I always wear hi-viz because I have to ride on roads before I get to any tracks and paths.
 
Camilla's Aunty Em said:
But how would the heli spot you if you were to fall?
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Thermal imaging camera

Up until a few years ago I didn't wear hi viz. Now it's always if on road.
Must admit I disliked the standard flappy tabard but since getting back in to motorbikes I have a very nice stretchy one that fits snug all over like a second skin so use that for both bike and horse. Expensive but worth it.
 
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I sometimes forget. But mostly I wear either an equafleece or Aldi hi vis. Both are comfortable, the equafleece get you barely know is there.

If I'm on certain roads or its dim weather (although we have a new arena, so hacking out because we have to in poor conditions is a thing of the past) I also wear my two tone pink/yellow tail wrap and ear covers, my horse looks ridiculous but I don't care. I also wear it if it's a bright sun/shade day, especially this time of year when the sun is low
 
I never wear hi viz and never have. I'm not anti- it and I read these threads and agree with all of the arguments put forward... but I dont own any and it never occurs to me. I am appropriately ashamed.
 
I always wear an air jacket which only comes in black when I ride and my horse doesn't like exercise sheets or anything loose and flapping so I add a yellow hat cover and some cycling armbands from Aldi.
Does anyone know of a REALLY lightweight jacket that isn't an anarak and has hi viz sleeves? All the light hi viz jackets I have seen have hi viz bodies and dark sleeves.
 
I have to hack around, over, along and next to some pretty busy A roads to get to our decent off road hacks. The way I see it I cannot complain about, moan, or reprimand drivers about their speed or road manners if I have not at least met them half way and made myself as visible as possible. I wear a hi viz tabard and horse has 4 hi viz leg wraps. He is a very dark bay so difficult to spot too. I don't have an issue with those that don't, that's completely their choice. I will ride out with people not in hi viz. I wouldn't ride out with someone that didn't wear a hat!! (Yes this has been an issue at a previous yard!!) i guess I just think that anyone using a road, on foot, horse, bike or in a car have a duty to ensure they are doing so in as safe a way as possible
 
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