Death Wish

R

rockinghorse

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Driving through villages this evening 6pm, came up behind rider on dark bay horse, couldn't see the horse but rider was wearing a reflective top, slowed down & drove past to meet another rider 400 metres in front of the first horse again didn't see the horse but we saw the rider wearing a reflective tabard, further along saw third rider turning right across road into stable yard. We are familiar to the area but PLEASE why didn't they: a) stay together, b) wear lights. Accident waiting to happen. Although they were wearing tabards [possibly high viz it was only the reflective bands that the car headlights lit up. If we were driving any faster than 30mph (entitled to do so as the road is max 60mph)
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There are an awful lot of riders with zero road sense. Dangerous to themselves, their horses and drivers- totally selfish and actually stupid!
 
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Same happens around here... are people insane?

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I actually think quite a lot of them are! I've had some incidents with my dad where you don't see the horses till really late. So late that if you weren't going 20mph you'd have hit them! Myself and my dad along with the two horses + riders were very lucky that day! Didn't half scare me though!
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I don't hack out a lot now but, when I had a previous loan I'd wear the whole reflective, hi-viz wardrobe even in the daylight. Some people thought it was excessive but, I knew that they wouldn't think it was excessive when a car swerved towards them!
How many injuries on the road does it take before people start to realise?
*minor rant, apologies*
 
Idiots!! i would have stopped and told them they were not visible! Passed someone today in hi-viz, slowed right down and she did NOT even acknowledge me or say thankyou! if i had had more time i would have reveresed and told her! No need for ignorance on riders part, the next horse the car driver might meet might not be so good in traffic. Manners cost nothing! No excuse for the horses out at 6 pm .....surely they know its dark by half 4 to quarter to five?
 
QR I know exacty what you mean keep meeting riders on the dark lanes near us, the riders are wearing tabards, but from the drivers eye level you cant see them, the horses need reflective boots, lights and bib.
 
I could go on a rant here, but having had an accident out riding a long time ago because the car driver (allegedly) "didn't see me"; I am a firm believer in Vizzing Up.

As a car driver plus an equestrian, if I can't see someone or something, then I can't take avoiding action. The other day I was going up the road, sun was in my eyes, and I just didn't see a lady riding with a brown jacket, on a bay horse. I wasn't going fast, but I just didn't see them until the very last minute.

There is almost a dare-devil rashness; or perhaps I should call it stupidity, that says that Vizzing Up just aint fashionable; and why should we sort of thing. BUT believe me, you don't wanna be in the situation where you look back over your horses' tail and see someone coming up behind you in a narrow lane VERY fast, and there ain't sweet FA you can do about it except wait for the collision. Luckily my horse only had a superficial injury, and he was such a sweet old boy (long gone now, bless him) that he wasn't scared of traffic after it, but it took me a long, long while to get my confidence to ride back.

I dress up like a Christmas Tree now, and don't give a damn who grins about it. Let em. I will be as safe on the road as I possibly can be.
 
MiJods

A local dog walker said to me the other morning (I go out while still a bit dark) are you doing your xmas tree impression today ?

I smiled and took it as a compliment
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Ps I only ride in the dark because where I am situated means it is not too dangerous if I wear my full gear.
 
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