Hi viz, I'm so worried, advice or thoughts

T

thatsmygirl

Well-Known Member
Joined
22 May 2010
Messages
4,341
Visit site
My horses field is about quarter a mile away from my stables. I finish work and get to the stables for 5.30 when it's as dark as a bag and walk down to get my babies in. My son and I ride them bare back up from the field, we both wear hi viz coats and I put hi viz leg bands on the horses legs. Thing is I am totally worried that I won't be seen by drivers. It is a fairly quiet lane but drivers do seem to go faster at night when they can't see the headlights off cars so kick on a bit. I can't use torches as this freaks my lot out so any advice welcome. I'm so worried I won't be seen, what more can I do?
 
Presumably your hi vis has lots of reflective material on? You can probably buy additional reflectives to put on - that's what will make drivers see you. In the dark, if there's little visibility, hi vis won't help much, but reflectives will always be picked up by headlights.

(said from a cyclist's point of view!)

Maybe leading would be safer though?

and you could use a headtorch - switch it on when mounted if your horse doesn't like it, she won't know the difference?
 
We had to cross a road to lead in and had a vest whiched flashed red lights and got lots of bicycle clip on lights and clipped them on there rugs, we were very easily seen :)
 
Hi-viz strips on bridles/headcollars, hi-viz sheet to put on them, perhaps reflectors/bike torches pointing backwards for the horse behind which attach to your legs/boots? Oh and hi-viz hat cover too! Nothing wrong with being very bright :D
 
Used to have to do a similar thing as a teenager. ALWAYS wore hi viz and got my dad to drive behind me. it would still have been too dangerous if I didnt have him behind me flashing his hazards.
 
Failing that, get your horses used to the torch light and then use torches or other light products :)

Nick.

ETA: Not sure how good they'ld be. But what about glow sticks? As a necklace? Around Reins / Headcollars? Etc?
 
Last edited:
Whenever people laughed at my hi vis get-up on the bike over dark winter evenings, my standard reply was 'I'd rather look like an idiot than look dead'. Carries more weight when you bring a horse into the equation too.
 
Please remember though - as great as hi vis may be, it's most effective in daylight and dusk. In the dark, you want reflectives and lights more than anything else.
 
I have a flashing head torch which was pretty cheap but would be really handy for you I think... Lead rider could wear it on forwards, rear rider wear it backwards. There are some really powerful flashing bike lights out there too. And boot ankle thingys I've seen!
 
Ali2 said:
http://www.equisafety.com/cat/catitem.asp?pc=H09-ARMLEG&d=1&s=2

As much flashing stuff as you can get on yourselves and your horses

If you are on a road do you not have to have a white light in front and a red light behind?
Click to expand...

I use these as leg bands and use two together as a hat band, they are brill.

I also have several of these, which are excellent and fully adjustable
http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_from=R40&_...flashing+led+tabard&_sacat=See-All-Categories
They only require 1 AA battery so very easily replaced.
 
Thank you guys, Iv looked through the links and think I will start ordering. The hi viz is dickies work range so have reflective strips on it. This is how mad I am!!!! I actually got my son to hold my horse while I drove pass at yard to test out the hi viz, worked well but I'm still not happy. Head torch will be nxt and yes lots off lights :)
just wish the drivers would slow down alone are narrow lanes. But that's hopefull thinking
 
Booboos said:
Could one of you lead the horses in while the other drove the car with hazzard light on right behind? That seems the safest option to me.
Click to expand...

It's only me and my son and he's only 10. It's a right pain but hopefully when iv finished we will stand out a treat. Isn't winter great
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top