Dangerous Hi-Viz!

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Annagain

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At the risk of opening up the can of worms that is Hi-Viz, just thought I'd better post a warning that in some circumstances it can do more harm than good!

My sharer and I took the boys to a new area in the trailer and, although the maps showed nearly all off road ridin,g we weren't sure how busy the small amout of roadwork we would have to do would be, so wore our hi-viz as we always do on the road (and yes I know roads aren't the only reason for wearing it)

We followed a bridlepath through a wood at walk, and the next thing I know was my sharer was on the floor. She ducked under a low branch, but her Hi-Viz caught on it and dragged her off backwards. No harm done other than a bruised backside so I did allow myself a little chuckle....once she'd replied to me that she was ok. She was silent for a second or two with the shock and I thought she was out cold. Archie just stood there looking confused!

On a serious note though her Hi-Viz is made of quite stiff nylon which caused it to stick up abnd catch when she ducked down - and then as the nylon is so strong didn't rip. I think she's going to change it for a cycling jacket instead as they're a lot softer and closer fitting!

To add insult to injury on the small amount of roadwork we did, the roads were so quiet we didn't meet one car! It was a lovely ride that we'll go back to do again.
 
What type of HV is it? Jacket/ vest etc?

I ask because if it's a vest, I would say it should ideally fasten with velcro for this reason. I work on the railway, and all of our vests, although they zip fasten, have poppers down the sides to enable quick release if you get caught up in anything.
With this in mind, I made sure that my riding HV fastens with velcro so that it pulls off easily if it gets snagged.
I'm glad your friend isn't badly hurt, and it is a worthwhile warning!
 
alliersv1 said:
What type of HV is it? Jacket/ vest etc?

I ask because if it's a vest, I would say it should ideally fasten with velcro for this reason. I work on the railway, and all of our vests, although they zip fasten, have poppers down the sides to enable quick release if you get caught up in anything.
With this in mind, I made sure that my riding HV fastens with velcro so that it pulls off easily if it gets snagged.
I'm glad your friend isn't badly hurt, and it is a worthwhile warning!
Click to expand...

^^this

I have a vest and although slightly to big it has Velcro to do it up with and If caught at all ( like when I got stuck to the saddle when dismounting) it gives way :)
 
I genuinely cannot see how any item of hi-viz is any more dangerous than any other item of clothing/jacket/polo shirt you would be wearing. Moral of the story is to either duck a bit lower, or go Lady Godiva on us..!
 
Cantering along a bridlepath that runs through the middle of a rape crop, I was little concerned that if horse and I parted company, the air ambulance would never find me. When the countryside is a profusion of bright yellow flowers I generally wear a red top for riding out in summer.
Not to mention the midges love yellow, I once had a tabard completely covered by midges and had to take the thing off.
I guess I could wear pink but as I'm no longer 12, I'd prefer orange which the equestrian manufacturers don't make.
The alternative would be a workman's jacket which isn't suitable for riding in or a cycling/running jackets, which again aren't any good in winter for riding.
 
Nice big yellow builders jackets are fine for hacking out in the winter.

If you spent a reasonable amount of money you would get a decent hi-vis running jacket.
 
See I always wear pink hi viz in summer as I think it's more visible then yellow. As soon as autumn comes around though I'll be switching back to yellow.
 
dogatemysalad said:
I guess I could wear pink but as I'm no longer 12, I'd prefer orange which the equestrian manufacturers don't make.
.
Click to expand...

Yes they do. I know I've seen orange on one particular site, which I won't recommend as the jacket I bought is the biggest POS jacket I've ever owned. But there is orange out there :)
 
RunToEarth said:
I genuinely cannot see how any item of hi-viz is any more dangerous than any other item of clothing/jacket/polo shirt you would be wearing. Moral of the story is to either duck a bit lower, or go Lady Godiva on us..!
Click to expand...

I guess it would encourage people to slow down when passing..... ;)
 
around my area its more important to have a hi viz hat cover as well, the hellicopters apparently dont see the jackets as well - at least thats what the RAF told me when i rang to complain about a low flying hellicopter over my menage at tree height when i was sitting on my then 4 year old just back from backing :eek:

thankfully he was sooo good, and the RAF have my little area marked as a NO low fly zone :) to be fair they were very good and extreamly helpfull, and advised to have hi viz hat covers as well as the jackets/waistcoats.

would second the velcro fastenings though as they can and do get caught up, especially when getting on/off !
 
Nic said:
Why?

I see no issues with riding out in something like this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HI-VIS-WO..._Jackets&var=580210270939&hash=item417533244b
Click to expand...

Thanks, the orange and navy bomber isn't too bad.

Ideally, for winter riding,I'd really like a jacket that covers the back of the saddle with vents that allow movement and don't get caught on the cantle.

Work wear hi viz has a rustle-ly harsh fabric, while running/cycling jackets are too thin for horse riding in bad weather.

Why do manufacturers who make equestrian jackets focus on dark or country colours ? The choice of hi viz wear for riders is woefully limited.
If they brightened up the colours, I could sew my own reflective tape on. Musto used to make a lovely yellow warm, waterproof but no longer do it. It was probably for sailing but opened at the back to cover the saddle and keep bums warm.
 
Equisafety do orange

TeghackJuly2012005.jpg
 
I have just bought a Hi viz from Ebay. It is made up of three pieces that all velcro together where the seams would be. It is supposed to come apart in situations like this. I thought it was a good idea. Wether it works or not I don't know yet.
 
RunToEarth said:
I genuinely cannot see how any item of hi-viz is any more dangerous than any other item of clothing/jacket/polo shirt you would be wearing. Moral of the story is to either duck a bit lower, or go Lady Godiva on us..!
Click to expand...

It's because the hi-viz is made of quite stiff material so as she ducked, rather than sitting flat on her back like her t-shirt (or a cycling jacket would), it maintained its shape and so stuck up and allowed the branch to get under it and catch on it. It was fastened with velcro but it didn't come apart.
 
Don't forget that there are safety levels with hi-viz gear. Cheap often means of no real standard, just yellow/pink/orange. Much better than nothing though.
Wish people where I live would wear clothing other than very dark.
 
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