How do we stop the no hi vis madness?

I hate the "I don't wear it when its sunny" attitude.Theres an idiot in the village who rides out on a dark bay in dark clothes and I usually nearly hit her when comming home on bright sunny summer days.Luckily I kept a look out for her but as you turned a narrow L bend round a house in the village there is a tall hedge and you can't see the idiot in the shadow.
I work at a racing stables now and they regularly go out on the village roads with dark clothing and not a jot if hi-viz and these are supposed to be proffessional people for gods sake!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
I always wear mine and even had a sheet made for my mini shetland! but im the only person on my yard that does and i also hack some horses out from another yard up the road and there only seems to be 1 other on that yard that wears a hi viz when hacking out, madness not to wear it it only takes seconds to put a tabbard on!
 
OP - I would suggest a letter to the yard (you don't have to put your name or addresson it) explaining that you have seen horses from the yard hacking out without hi-viz and that they are difficult to see and could cause an accident. Highlight the fact that Hi-viz is a cheap and effective way to keep your horse safe and include some of the BHS literature. I would also point out the insurance implications, especially that they could find a claim being reduced or even refused if they haven't worn hi-viz. Mention that it isn't just for drivers but also for the emergency services to see you, and for walkers, cyclists etc so that they can give way to you.

I would also write to your local police station and ask that they approach the yard in relation to this and warn them.

Then write to your local news paper and local horsey magazine (we have a local equi-ads magazine) and highlight the risks of riding on the roads without hi-viz.

Hopefully the message will get accross.

I'm not perfect, I've ridden out without hi-viz (although I always followed the old fashioned advice of bright/light coloured clothing to stand out). In my defence, I don't hack out at all these days and when I last did I was on a yard based just off a very busy road where the only safe way to hack was to go straight from the premises onto an enclosed bridleway without touching the road. It was a paved national bridleway path that was well used, with good visibility so hi-viz wouldn't have made much difference. We only very rarely went on the roads, and it would only have been on sunny days as the route that required road work was a long one, and the road we used to link the two bridleways was quiet with decent verges and decent visibility. I had a reflective hat band on at all times but often nothing else high-viz.

Before that at a different yard I did hack on lanes and had a bright orange coat that I wore for visibility and a reflective hat band. If it had been a more regular/long term thing I probably would have bought more as there were a couple of occasions in winter when it would have been useful.

I have been out and bought a tabard though because now it is so necessary to have high-viz on the roads and I am hoping that I will be in a position to hack out again soon. I know as a driver that seeing high-viz of any type makes me slow down just in case so it makes sense to wear it as a rider. I have also seen as a driver how invisible horses can be, not just in poor visibility but also in bright sunlight if the sun is low or the horse is in the shade.

It really isn't worth the risk, and insurers are becoming much more savvy and will plead contributory negligence if you are in an accident and not wearing hi-viz.
 
jinglejoys said:
I work at a racing stables now and they regularly go out on the village roads with dark clothing and not a jot if hi-viz and these are supposed to be proffessional people for gods sake!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Employees should not be allowed to work on the highway without wearing Hi-Viz, so report them to your local council or HSE. They can attend and issue an improvement notice, which is a legal document requiring them to improve standards as requested. If they fail to comply they can be prosecuted.
 
I never used to hack as my horse was dangerous and I never had anyone to hack with.

I have just started hacking as we now have friends:D and most of our hacks are on bridleways.
I didnt own any hi viz but do own a cerise pink bodywarmer which I always wore to make me stand out more. The other rider wears hi viz.

I have just bought a hi viz reflective bomber jacket off ebay for £10! bargain. I will be sporting it all winter. I will be like the sun.:D

So many people around me hack out on bay horses with dark jackets and you just cant see them.
 
Personally, I think that the pressure has to go to all areas that could influence this. As someone has already suggested, make it an offence NOT to wear hi-viz on roads would be a good one.

But what about also putting pressure on manufacturers of riding wear that an outer garment (be it coat or fleece) must have a certain percentage of reflective material? I know that you will still end up with the style guru's wearing black, but if there was a light reflective element, maybe that's something.

I had a rant a a rider from our yard yesterday about people who don't wear hi-viz. She had her tabard on, but only because my friend and I did. Ordinarily, she would not have bothered.

I just don't understand why some people would rather "look the part" than keep themselves visible and safe.
 
polopony said:
Personally I think hi-viz looks vile,
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I think this is part of the issue
banghead.gif
When did it become a fashion parade to go out hacking?!

I am of the hi vis glan - as I dont want to get hit by a car and as I drive I know how much of a difference it makes from a drives POV too. and it can look smart enough!
 
nat1003 said:
I have just bought a hi viz reflective bomber jacket off ebay for £10! bargain. I will be sporting it all winter. I will be like the sun.:D
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We've got those too - and a hi-viz exercise sheet. People actually think we are the mounted Police, because we have 17HH matching chestnuts!

THAT slows down a lot of drivers!
 
I still wish I had the time and money (and other resources!) to start a campaign for road safety, where by an advert is made in the same vein of the 'Think!' adverts. I know there is a horse road safety advert somewhere, but it is no way shocking enough to get people thinking, and only on once in a blue moon, in the middle of the day or something stupid. Shocking adverts like the one with the guy falling off the scaffolding stays in peoples minds and perhaps could shock people into staying safe on the road, both by slowing down for horses, and riders wearing high viz.

I admit when I was younger (14/15) I thought hig viz was gross and never wanted to wear it, but now I don't go out without it. Charisma wears WW flouro boots, if it's cold or wet she'll also wear an exercise sheet (want to get one that's not fleecy inside so i can wear it more often - normally she gets too hot). I wear a band around my hat and also a tabard. Need to get another one though because it's a bit raggy!

There's not really an excuse not to wear it imo because nowadays there is some nice stuff about which doesn't make you look like a road worker!

OH AND I always make sure my high viz is clean - no point if it's all filthy!!!
 
jenbleep said:
I still wish I had the time and money (and other resources!) to start a campaign for road safety, where by an advert is made in the same vein of the 'Think!' adverts. I know there is a horse road safety advert somewhere, but it is no way shocking enough to get people thinking, and only on once in a blue moon, in the middle of the day or something stupid. Shocking adverts like the one with the guy falling off the scaffolding stays in peoples minds and perhaps could shock people into staying safe on the road, both by slowing down for horses, and riders wearing high viz." QUOTE

There is an ad campaign in Hampshire with a horse's rear, tail and hind legs sticking out of the screen of a car (looks like it has nosedived straight THROUGH the car windscreen) - I think that is pretty shocking! The image certainly sticks in my mind!
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My friends laugh at me on my yard, I'm known as the flourescent queen ! And I've been referred to a christmas tree - HOW RUDE ha ha, I don't care.

2 of these went out riding last sunday night, came back in pitch dark, both dark horses one is black, all I could see coming round the corner was one of them was wearing a light gillet, the other on the black horse all I could see was his star ! if that was on the road heaven forbid what could have happened, idiots and I told them so.

If they want to kill themselves then go ahead, its the horses I feel sorry for.

If its not rumour, I think insurance companies should insist on someone wearding SOME hi viz

Edited to add

Many moons ago, when hi viz wasn't available, my friends pony bolted with her and headed for the road, they got hit by a car, she was ok, pony got wing mirror caught between his back legs which ripped him apart, he was put down at the scene, acidents happen, poor driver didn't see him coming, not that it would have been much help but may have been able to stop before pony got to him/her. Just an example of what can happen, sort of relevant
 
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M_G said:
I dont wear hi vis in the height of summer when its 20 odd degrees c and clear as a bell, I also dont drink and always wear my seat belt!!

TBH if a car driver cant see a horse in the road on a clear summers day then they should not be driving.
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Actually, it can be even harder to see a horse and rider in conditions of strong light and shadow (from hedges, trees etc) than it is on a dull day.

ALL the near misses I have had have been with non-hi viz wearers, when they were in shadow and I was in full sun. A dark horse and darkly dressed rider just doesn't stand out in those circumstances.

ETA
Having watched a young horse having to be pinned down so the vet could euthanise it after it was hit by a car, I personally choose to do whatever I can to avoid seeing such a sight again. Not pretty at all - and nor was the car that had hit it!
 
TheresaW said:
I think I am totally in the minority. I LOVE hi-vis and am always buying bits and pieces whenever I go to the tack shop. I wear my tabbard and hat band all year round, and add bits and pieces to myself and horse, as weather and light changes. Do very little road work most of the time as well.
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You're like me, I love the stuff!
Will take a picture next time I'm out hacking :D
 
monkeybum13 said:
You're like me, I love the stuff!
Will take a picture next time I'm out hacking :D
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I have a fair amount and I don't even have a horse! I've accumulated bits for various horses I've hacked over the years, and have kept it all saved for when I get one of my own.

We will be a flashing disco combo - even my dog has his own hi-viz jacket now!:D
 
Laura1234 said:
I have actually heard of a yard that will not allow you to ride out from their yard in hi-viz - you have to get down the road from them, then put it on, because it is a yard does not want to be associated with 'happy hackers'!! What an awful attitude! And a friend of mine 'would not be seen dead in hi-viz'. :rolleyes:
I wear a fitted hi-viz ladies gillet in bright hi-viz pink, and it looks very smart imo. Now we are in the winter, horse will have a yellow hi-viz sheet on too, so we will be very visable.
My OH nearly hit a horse on the lanes last winter, it was sunny, but sun very low and in front of him, and at the last minute he saw the shape of a dark horse, with a rider in dark clothing - he was so angry with them!
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Oh well it'll be your friend the air ambulance won't be able to find then
 
Woman at my yard came trotting down the drive the other day at 5.30!! It was nearly fully dark, her horse is bay and she was wearing a black jacket and no hi-vis anywhere!! She laughingly told me that her horse had been 'on one' and spooking for Wales...'oh deary had a few near misses with car's we did'!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:eek: Those poor drivers and that poor horse!! Thank goodness the YO overheard and told her in no uncertain terms that it was yard policy for people to wear hi-vis and if she got any complaints from drivers she'd be forwarding her details to them to discuss the matter directly!!!:D
 
In summner its sometimes worse when you go from bright sunlight into shadow. i almost ran into a local lady a couple of years ago under those circumstances. Luckily I was going slowly, though most other cars on that ropad dont. I stopped furhter up the road and told her politely that she was completerly invisible to drivers, she said thankyou for your concern and carried on her way - I have seen her many times since - still no Hi Viz.
 
If someone employs someone (including self-employed grooms) to ride their horse for them out of the confines of the yard then to comply with current Health and Safety Legislation they need to carry out a documented risk assesment and provide them with Hi-Viz to the correct PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) standard (for work wear). There is a difference in PPE for leisure activities and for work.

As regards the racing yards that do not supply and ensure that they wear PPE Hi Viz Jackets to people exercising their horses thin in the event of an accident they could find themselves with serious problems if the matter was reported to the Health and Safety Executive.
 
Just a thought, but maybe if the horsey mags only ever showed images of people hacking out in hi-viz, as opposed to hacking out without it - maybe it would become so accepted and expected that more would do it.

Though it is absolutely the older riders that refuse to - kids are much more easily convinced.
 
Rosie_M said:
Just a thought, but maybe if the horsey mags only ever showed images of people hacking out in hi-viz, as opposed to hacking out without it - maybe it would become so accepted and expected that more would do it.
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That's a great idea, maybe you should email HORSE magazine? I think there's a woman called Jennifer from there who posted on this tread a few pages back
 
Have hivis jacket, leg wraps, martigale, and exercise sheet all on order to be delivered this week - all pink and matchy matchy (can you tell Im starting to enjoy having a mare - if for no other reason than it being half acceptable to dress her up like a blooming barbie!!)

I nearly hit a friends daughter and her mate the other night, both riding practically in the dark on dark bay horses and wearing black, I tried to speak to the girl about it and got a shrug and walked away!! shes 13 - I expected no less really!! but for her own safety I mentioned it to her mother as nicely as possible, and got he same response from her!!

My niece and step daughter regularly ride out with me and I insist they wear high viz - much to thier disgust!! I also make them thank drivers, which apparently they never 'have to do' on thier yard???!! - Im only 25 - but feel a 'youth of today' rant coming on!!
 
I was the only person on my old yard that wore a high viz tabard out hacking, we had to ride on a really busy lane that was narrow and winding and used as a cut through and if for no other reason I wasn't going to give some nob head car driver going too fast an excuse to say 'I didn't see you'

Where I am now we can ride straight up onto the downs so no road work, and I don't wear it.

The other day I saw a girl hacking with loads of high viz stuff on and I wound down my window and told her I could see her from miles away and how good it was :)
 
Since having my equisafetly 360 degree vision excercise rug I have noticed a huge difference in the reaction time of drivers, I have had comments made how noticable I am and how good it is, I wear pink because I think yellow blends in with the trees.

I also have a hothatz pink hat for my horse, he's not fussed but definately gets you noticed, it needs replacing now because its faded
 
little_rou said:
I also make them thank drivers, which apparently they never 'have to do' on thier yard???!! - Im only 25 - but feel a 'youth of today' rant coming on!!
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Grr don't even get me started on that! Bloody local riding dump near me, the children never even look at you even when they are holding up lines of traffic grrr
 
I wear a tabard that might in theory get me arrested, as it says "POLITE" in large reflective letters over a blue banner, which might possibly be interpreted as impersonating a police officer?? Who cares, it slows the cars down!

I also wear a ridiculous looking yellow and reflective hat cover, it's a silk rather than just a band, but a big mushroom shape so not exactly subtle. My OH says he can see me from miles away when I'm out riding, and of course in lanes with hedges the hat is the best thing to have Hi-Vis'd as it's the only thing people can see sometimes. It's also waterproof which is handy!

I drive home along a busy road and have been noticing the cyclists and their variety of different approaches. As far as I can tell, you can see the brightly coloured clothing and LED flashing lights best in daylight, and at night the light on the back of the helmet, plus reflective strips, particularly on the legs and arms as these move more and are therefore more obvious, are most visible. With a cyclist leaning forward, what's on their back is often irrelevant as you can only see their bum; but that's not the case with a rider so to me the most important things are:

-Hat cover in yellow with reflective
-Tabard or jacket in neon with reflective
-reflective something on horses legs, as the movement makes it noticeable
-A flashing red light on your back. I have a cycling one I hook on to the hang-up hook on the outside of my jacket, just under the collar.
-Something else on the horse so it can be seen if you part company. Breast plate or rug or something.

And yes I've also stopped a couple of girls from a nearby yard after I nearly ran into them (going very slowly round a corner). I politely told them I hadn't seen them and that they really should wear hi-viz and I think they have complied more recently.;)
 
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