How do we stop the no hi vis madness?

I don't wear it so much in summer as even at 8pm it can be 26-27c here - wore my tabard once in summer and got totally sunburnt!! I do wear it through winter though. I have a tabard and my horses have leg bands, plus I have martingale and hat band on order. I don't do that much road work but there are a lot of hunters in the fields where I ride, so I do it primarily not to get shot :o

It is absolute madness not to wear it just because its "not cool/fashionable" though - can't understand the logic there tbh.
 
I have not read the whole thread so forgive me if this has already been said. I wear hi vis hat band, tabard and my pony has leg bands, summer or winter. If you go from shade to light any time of year you may not been seen even in bright sunlight. Never leave the yard without.

Jane
 
Laura1234 said:
This is what I wear - it looks nice, is fitted for a ladies shape, so at that price you can still look smart and feminine - they do a men's version too, and they do it in yellow. It is by Karrimor, and they have long sleeve etc on Sports Direct, so for winter I may buy a long sleeve one in a bigger size that can go over a coat.

http://www.sportsdirect.com/karrimor-high-visability-running-gillet-ladies-456175
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Thanks! Have been looking for something like this! These days I have the luxury of only crossing the occasional road while going from track to track, but I still have visions of falling off and lying in the long grass in my dark stuff...

I must admit to having been over on the dark side for most of my life, but new friends have educated me in the ways of hi viz and I feel much better for it.
 
Having spent many a year hacking out alone on my dark bay mare, i have collected a huge range of hi-viz products.

Admitedly i dont use all of it all the time - as a cob type she cant wear the ex.sheet in the summer but over the winter i use most of it! I have only ever ridden without at least a tabard once + personally wouldnt ever again. I use bridle pieces on her breastplate as well as on the bridle
 
Your wasting your time, this country has bred more ar******s than a bottom factory in bottom land on double time, they wont be seen "dead" wearing any, it's the animals I feel sorry for, having such dumbass owners/riders.
 
I think i am inclined to agree with you Pedantic, but surely we have to try, there are young teenage girls riding dark horses in pitch black with no high vis. They mustn't know how serious the implications are, surely they can't fully understand and still not care that they could be watching their horse or best friend lay dead on a bonnet. All for the sake of a bit of high vis wear.
 
I think it is great to see this support for wearing Hi Vis gear.
There seems to be so many people out on the roads that dont wear it, I would be really interested to hear their reasons not to.
 
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The way to stop the insanity?

There would need to be accidents, multiple, and it would need to be said every single time tht the rider/horse/driver would have survived if they'd been wearing hi viz.
 
Well I run a tshirt printing business and as a sideline do high vis vests too. Therefore its easy peasy to have fifteen different designs to try out.

Personally, I find the "CAUTION young horse in training" seems to make people more wary that your horse might actually damage a car, therefore they pass sensibly. Another good one I've tried out recently has black and white checkers across the top/bottom and says POLITE - please pass wide and slow. From a distance it doesnt half look like "POLICE", and driver cooperation has been amazing.

CAUTION horse and rider is something the locals (when asked) think is a stupid statement, as if they didnt know it was a horse and rider duh. And Please PASS... doesnt warrant reading the rest because it isnt a warning.

a 20mph sign on the back works well too :)
 
Haven't read other replies but can't we just run people over then they will wear hi-vis next time. If there is a next time...

Anyway, I thought insurance is void if you don't wear hi-vis and you have an accident out hacking???
 
It's a fashion thing more so than a not understanding the danger thing, just look at how girls/women suffer on a daily basis in the name of fashion, it might help you understand the mentality of it, I know a very intelligent young lady, as we set off for a hack, I realised she didn't have a stitch of Hi Viz on, I said to her, "do you realise how much I slag off people who don't wear any" her reply "well I have a light top on", (her mum wears lots), my daughter explained to me later, "it's a fashion thing", every one else on the yard wears some when hacking.
 
It's a 'change of culture' that is needed and these are slow to happen.
I remember when I was a teenager (a very long time ago..) that you didn't wear bright colours because it would frighten horses.....
Look at the 'hat/no hat' threads that rumble on. But who rides out without a hat these days? Those that don't are very defensive and know that they are the small minority. Originally, people wouldn't wear safer hats because they were ugly.

The change will happen - it just won't happen overnight, and as long as more people use hi viz tomorrow than did today - then the change is happening.

I always wear a tabard and hat band. In Winter, I add leg-bands to Star and flashing wrist-bands to my wrists. I've just bought a quarter sheet for really cold days in the New Year when she's clipped.
 
I am a driving instructor, and I have to say it is not just horse riders, I spend most of my time driving around the lanes just outside exeter with my pupils, and we come across cyclists, dressed in black no lights. Dog walkers dressed in black. And every single time I rant and say 'did you see them? how close were you when you saw them. how could they make it safer for you?' each time the learner responds with 'god i nearly hit them why aren't they wearing flourescent or reflective clothing, are they stupid' These pupils in many cases, ride horses, ride bikes and walk dogs. It is my small attempt to frighten those learners into being responsible road users, and understand the impact they can have on other road users. I would like to see more driving instructors doing the same. And also including it in the driving theory syllabus.
 
Janette said:
It's a 'change of culture' that is needed and these are slow to happen.
I remember when I was a teenager (a very long time ago..) that you didn't wear bright colours because it would frighten horses.....
Look at the 'hat/no hat' threads that rumble on. But who rides out without a hat these days? Those that don't are very defensive and know that they are the small minority. Originally, people wouldn't wear safer hats because they were ugly.

The change will happen - it just won't happen overnight, and as long as more people use hi viz tomorrow than did today - then the change is happening.

I always wear a tabard and hat band. In Winter, I add leg-bands to Star and flashing wrist-bands to my wrists. I've just bought a quarter sheet for really cold days in the New Year when she's clipped.
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You are absolutely spot on - it will take time. I remember as a teenager discussing the fact with friends that coloured jodphurs would never take off!
 
I am sure I am repeating what previous posters have said but here goes.
It is stated in highway code riders should always wear light coloured clothing and high vis is poss. Not a legality though. Im afraid as unsightly as is can be I agree laws should be changed. As a child I too was guilty of not wearing any!
Wearing high vis only gains you around an extra 3 secs for drivers to see you! But that can make a huge difference.
Drivers think they have a right to be there. Riders think they have a right to be there. Cars need lights so why don't we riders. Cyclists also do as law.
High vis is NOT just needed in winter or dull days. Even on a clear day there can be clouds passing or you can ride under trees and drivers eyes are adjusting to this say on top of not expecting us.
When there is an accident or near miss we seem happier to pop on our high vis. We assume because we are on such big animals that we are obvious but sadly we are not.
I have 10 adjustable high vis bands that flash. A high vis flashing tail guard, A high vis vest that also has flashing lights and 2 pedalights that recharge also.
No I haven't worn all at the same time ...yet hee hee but you cant be too safe.
Heaven forbid if something happened to our horses. wouldn't we feel guilty.

Its ridiculous and irresponsible that some riders out there don't wear it and I really believe laws should be changed requiring us all to wear at least one item of high vis on horse and rider.
I also think and am planning to try and get better road signs with passing speed limit suggestion brought out. BHS recommends a max passing speed of 15mph. I am sure road signs can be designed to incorporate this message some how. Thoughts anyone
 
I have read all the posts and have to agree at how stupid a large amount of riders are. I refused point blank to hack out with the girls on our yard until they put on at least a tabbard. ( thinking of putting some posters of accidents up to shock them into wearing some). I personally only wear the yellow hi viz despite the various other colors available due to the fact that i believe it is the most visible in all situations and the first color you think of when someone mentions hi viz.
I wear the hat band, a workmans jacket in winter, tabbard in summer, bridle kit and one on my breastplate, leg bands, tail band, a sheet and several lights in winter or if i know there is a chance of me being caught out as it starts to get darker. Most of the liverys have taken to saying i resemble a christmas tree but have started to wear it themselves. Just makes me laugh when members of the public remark that they thought i were a member of the mounted unit ( my mare is 17.2 ). I had a little girl come running over yelling "mummy the police" and couldnt help but laugh.
I recently saw this vest the other day though and am going to order myself one next payday. Think it will definately get the cars to slow down.

http://www.equisafety.com/cat/catitem.asp?pc=R02N-AIRPO&d=1&s=1
 
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