HY VIS, WHY DO I NEED HY VIS?? CARS HAVE HEADLIGHTS DONT THEY?

[Kiristamm]

The V is not working properly on my compuer... That was belieVe!!!

 

[coloured_c0b]

I agree hi vis should be mandatory when on the public highway!!! For riders and cyclists. If it gives drivers those valuable few seconds extra to see you!! Especially at night and even in summer when the sun is low in the sky then who wouldn't wear it. I never go out on the road day or night without both me n my horse being covered in hi vis. Also if she goes off the road and into woodland and has an accident the ambulance or helicopter has more chance or seeing you and your horse!! Hope you managed to talk some sense into her!! Good luck!!!

 

[acrossthevalley]

To O/P, sometimes its hard when you care for someone and their animal. Often the more you 'tell' someone something the more they will not listen. This person isnt your responsibilty,and in a nice way,and pleae dont take offence, its best to think you have done your best and now the choice is theirs. I only hope you are not the person to pick up the pieces in the event of them having an accident. That isnt nice to see. Sometimes it's a case of letting go of your concerns and fears, no matter how hard it may seem to do or however much it feels your tummy is knotted. I'm sorry if this sounds harsh, but from experience, its often the better option for yourself, or it will eat you up inside, and you have your own life to enjoy.

I do hope the person you are concerned about reads this thread, and maybe one day in the future, no matter how far in the future, it will all make sense to him/her. x

 

[DragonSlayer]

With it not being the law, it ain't gonna happen for those people who don't want to do it.

Why comment? Riders know the risk they run, don't get steamed up over a situation you have no control over.

I wear hi-viz because I'm sensible, but I don't make comments to those who don't. I am not here to educate them, because I'll just get angry....

 

[trendybraincell]

Darwinism - its alive and well - for now.......

Exactly what I was thinking

 

[SaharaS]

Blimey, well done OP....now how to put this blunt..er I mean tactfully...what is it people always say about sheer stupidity & gene pools/mother nature having a way of population control....but for Christs sake THINK ABOUT YOUR HORSE??? if she can't afford the £55 liability insurance offered by the BHS, then poor horse when she gets the vet bill...she won't even be able to afford to call the hunt out...or pay the family for the damage to the car & or their lost relatives...£55 quid...peanuts

I was in the Fire Service and attended several 'wash downs' after horses were sadly injured & killed in DAYLIGHT.

Oh...and if uninsured God help you if you are involved in an accident without hi-viz and I best not mention that you/your horse could actually kill the driver that hits you and perhaps their children too....but thats ok...you'll get used to not dropping things when they send you away!

if you don't care about your horse/yourself...at least spare a thought for those that have to clean up the mess....

and before anyone says breath...I am...I am breathing beautiful flames through my ears AND my nostrils

 

[thatsmygirl]

Saharas I like, thanks for that will show her all this later

 

[Spudlet]

Because I'll be ever so annoyed to get a big horse and rider shaped dent in my bonnet if I don't see them in time to stop. I've only just MOT-ed the car!

Even worse, people who don't wear hi-viz, ride two abreast on loose reins and don't thank drivers who have to inch past them. If I had not been late, there would have been words said. I was furious. So whoever you were, stupid little teenage girls riding out on New Year's Day near to Chedburgh - I will be looking out for you in future and God help you if I ever see you again because we will have a discussion about your stupidity and vile, inexcusable lack of manners!

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

* picks jaw off the floor *
OMG what a stupid thing to say .


*I SAY BE SEEN BE SAFE *


show her this video of what happens to horses if they are not seen with HIV VIZ ( these were not riden ) but non the less cars did not see them

RIP HORSES http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=uBY1ozlhDGc

graphic warning



One of my livereis sharer was told put hi viz on


i caught her out hacking only front boots.

she had more words.


Last weekend i saw her coming down with NO hi viz on, mare is black.

i told my friend she is fuming.
sharer looses nothing ..
other m8 also said she had seen her out with no hi viz on.

owner loosing horses and friend. sharer soon to be x sharer

 

[Fransurrey]

Oh, what an awful vid! Have shared it on my facebook page, though (minus the thumbnail!). I know a few people who drive like lunatics.

 

[NOISYGIRL]

Having seen the results of my friends pony years ago being hit by a car, well he bolted and ran across the road so not the drivers fault, he went over the bonnet, the mirror caught the inside of his back leg and between his legs and ripped him open, he was put down at the scene, perhaps your friend would like to think about that for a moment

 

[Fourlegsgood]

Yep, I second the natural selection theory. It's a way of the human gene pool getting rid of stupid people.

 

[Spudlet]

Saw a foal that had been hit by a car a few years ago, mother was tethered, the foal was loose, ran into the road - predictable results. The only saving grace was the close proximity of a veterinary surgery, so the vet could run down and put the foal to sleep. The car looked like a write off, and this was in a 30mph zone - if the car had been on a national speed limit road, god only knows whether or not the driver and his family would have survived. It was very upsetting.

 

[TGM]

Why comment? Riders know the risk they run, don't get steamed up over a situation you have no control over.

But do they know the risks though? Seems like the rider in the OP doesn't understand the risks at all? If you can help protect a horse with a little education of the owner, then surely it is worth trying.

As a a case in point, a few years ago I would wear hi viz if visibility was poor - misty weather, beginning to get dark, etc., but not on bright sunny days. One lovely sunny day, was riding in quite dark clothing on a bay horse, next to a tall hedge. Someone stopped and told me I was invisible in the shadow of the hedge. After that, I always rode with hi viz on whatever the weather or visibility.

So people CAN change their habits with the right education.

 

[HashRouge]

I can't believe she doesn't realize the benefits of hi viz . It maximizes your chances of being seen, giving a driver more time to spot you and more time to slow down and pass you carefully. If you don't wear hi viz in the dark then you're unlikely to be seen until the last minute, because even if the car headlights pick you out you will blend into the background as there is nothing to make you stand out. I don't drive, but having been in the car with other people when passing horses and riders who are not wearing hi viz I can safely say that is is MUCH harder to spot them, and sometimes you don't see them until you're right on top of them! It is the same with walkers and cyclists - they should always wear something reflective when out at night so that they are easier to spot. I cycle in London and am always amazed by the number of people I see without any kind of reflectives/ lights! And they are not easy to spot, even though London roads are generally fairly well lit!
On a side note, a horse I know was killed last weekend after being hit by a car. It was daytime and, knowing the rider, I imagine she was decked out in hi viz, but it just shows you how dangerous riding on the roads even when you are lit up! I would never ever take the risk of not wearing hi viz, even when riding in daylight!

 

[NOISYGIRL]

I wear a mixture of pink and yellow, as I decided in low light yellow was best, in sun pink was best or orange, as our lovely weather can change so quickly I thought I'd use a mixture mmm nice some people might think but mmm nice I'll be able to be seen, by traffic, dog walkers, bike riders everyone ! add a few flashing lights job done

 

[alwaysbroke]

At 4.45 last night I drove past someone out riding IN high vis, full jacket and exercise sheet, it was hard enough to see them as it was a strange half light.

My OH used to be dead against wearing high vis, he did wear a yellow jacket, but it just didn't do the job. I then refused to go out hacking with him unless he stated wearing it, he is a stubborn git at the best of times, but if I can get him to wear it most people should be able to be converted

 

[Suechoccy]

Can your YO make it a yard rule that all riders hacking out from that yard must wear hi-viz? Otherwise they find themselves another yard to keep their horse at.

This would work because either:

1. She would have to wear hiviz or be evicted from your yard.

2. If she chooses eviction, then she's no longer a comeback problem for your yard or your YO. At moment all the local residents/drivers will guess/know her as "one of those people from that yard who doesn't wear hiviz so she reflects badly on your yard and your YO".

Also, then your YO has done the responsible thing as a YO.

 

[9tails]

5.30pm???? Has she had enough of horse ownership? And life?

 

[saffytessa]

I wear a mixture of pink and yellow, as I decided in low light yellow was best, in sun pink was best or orange, as our lovely weather can change so quickly I thought I'd use a mixture mmm nice some people might think but mmm nice I'll be able to be seen, by traffic, dog walkers, bike riders everyone ! add a few flashing lights job done

Exactly! Me and a friend were out hacking round country lanes (the kind with horrid bends) I was riding my dun, she was riding her mostly white coloured, it was daylight but both horses were wearing a hi vis exersize sheet, four leg bands and us riders were wearing a waistcoat and friend had a hat band all in lovely bright pink

As we were riding towards a bend we heard a tractor coming so slowed down to give them time to see us. Well the second he came round the corner he slowed down and his face was a picture so obviously the hi viz was doing it's job

I value my animals too much to ride out without hi vis. I have 2 complete sets in pink and 2 complete sets in yellow so I can use the best colour for the conditions on both horses if they are out at the same time.

 

[benson21]

We were wearing HI VIS when we were hit by a car, we were hit because of the speed he was travelling, but. the Police did point out that if we were not in HI VIS, the driver could of claimed he didnt see us, therefore getting even less than the pitiful sentence he got!
Although Benson and Charlie died from the accident, I wouldnt have been able to live with myself had the driver been able to put the onus of it all on us.

 

[saffytessa]

Forgot to say we had to talk the YO into wearing hi viz. There were three of us going out and two of us were hi vized up and YO had one of those navy and reflective ones though she wasnt going to wear it. We told her she had to set a good example and I have seen her wearing it since. Shame its not flurescent too though.

 

[MerrySherryRider]

For some reason there does seem to be a snobbery element amongst riders regarding hi Viz. I watched 2 members of staff yesterday hacking out from a competition venue on valuable dressage horses wearing no hi viz, dressed in dark clothes on bay horses in poor light.

Its always a mystery to me why, people out hunting neither wear hi viz when cantering down country lanes, or even when to hack home afterwards.
Does hunting give the rider some invisible protective shield from traffic, unavailable to other riders ?

In contrast, the happy hackers of the equestrian world seem far more clued up along with cyclists and runners about the need to be seen on the roads.

 

[applecart14]

When the menage is frozen (as it is sometimes when temps have been minus) I put my hi viz on to walk around the perimeter of our yard because the cars come through the gate and drive on the driveway we use to ride round. So if anyone coming onto the yard when its dark will see me a long way off and thus stop and give way to me.

I positively hate and detest people who don't wear hi viz and can't understand why they spend £2k on a saddle but won't spend £10 on a hi viz vest, bizarre! My horse is extremely precious to me, God knows I've lost enough of them over the years (no fault of mine) and loved each and every one so would always do the upmost to protect them on the roads. That means not riding out if very wet weather, windy (spooky horse), frosty roads, or fog or if the light if fading. It means never, NEVER, NEVER going on the road without flourescent and knee boots and never without a phone.

Whilst I know accidents occur even with flourescent at least you know you have done all you can to make your journey as safe as possible.
Simples.

 

[applecart14]

We were wearing HI VIS when we were hit by a car, we were hit because of the speed he was travelling, but. the Police did point out that if we were not in HI VIS, the driver could of claimed he didnt see us, therefore getting even less than the pitiful sentence he got!
Although Benson and Charlie died from the accident, I wouldnt have been able to live with myself had the driver been able to put the onus of it all on us.

How horrific for you both. I am so sorry.

 

[Ali2]

Just thought I'd add this.

There's a young girl on our yard. She was admiring my new Blaithwaite jacket a couple of weeks ago and bemoaning how stupid she looks in her hi viz tabard ( I disagree, but this is her opinion, she's 16). I was ready to give the old "yes but it's a must, wouldn't be seen without it, rather look daft than dead etc etc" speech when she surprised me and told me that despite believing that she looks stupid she always wears her hi viz and hacks out looking 'stupid'. I was heartened to see that she is sensible enough and loves her pony enough (she adores him!) to realise that hi viz is a must for the safety of her and her pony

 

[Rowreach]

Just thought I'd add this.

There's a young girl on our yard. She was admiring my new Blaithwaite jacket a couple of weeks ago and bemoaning how stupid she looks in her hi viz tabard ( I disagree, but this is her opinion, she's 16). I was ready to give the old "yes but it's a must, wouldn't be seen without it, rather look daft than dead etc etc" speech when she surprised me and told me that despite believing that she looks stupid she always wears her hi viz and hacks out looking 'stupid'. I was heartened to see that she is sensible enough and loves her pony enough (she adores him!) to realise that hi viz is a must for the safety of her and her pony

My kids are the same - they moan about looking like "mouldy lemons" but they're never without their hiviz and they wear it round the farm and when they're on foot at comp venues as well as when they're hacking (off-road and in the daylight btw).

One thing I would point out, is that it's not just about the safety of the horse and rider folks (although I appreciate this is a horse forum ) but it is also about potentially saving the life of another road user, the driver.

Not all drivers are lunatic speed merchants with a horse hatred, some of them are ordinary individuals going about their business who do not deserve to have half a ton of horse coming through their windscreens and killing them and their passengers, simply because they could not see the horse in front of them (see TGM's post above for a telling example of why hiviz should be worn AT ALL TIMES).

 

[SaharaS]

oh...and another thing!

I no longer ride out on the roads, yet STILL wear hi viz....it has a marked reduction in military aircraft accidents and the MOD do recommend that riders wear hi viz so they can avoid flying over them...yes they fly over my menage in chinooks regularly as well as figther jets/euro fighters and the slow blundering hercules but the horses STILL react..tho not as badly as they would if the aircraft were directly overhead. I also had a life saving experience wearing hi-viz as hot air balloonists will also try avoiding you...IF they can. You see...the entire world PLUS aliens are infact out to get us all....

now...for the fashion consious amongst you who know of grumblers...V-Bandz are actually rather smart & trendy....far better than crusty blood & pussy infected cuts...now I agree THAT kind of pink & yellow are very much last season!

 

[Ali2]

One thing I would point out, is that it's not just about the safety of the horse and rider folks (although I appreciate this is a horse forum ) but it is also about potentially saving the life of another road user, the driver.

Not all drivers are lunatic speed merchants with a horse hatred, some of them are ordinary individuals going about their business who do not deserve to have half a ton of horse coming through their windscreens and killing them and their passengers, simply because they could not see the horse in front of them (see TGM's post above for a telling example of why hiviz should be worn AT ALL TIMES).

This is a very fair point! I find that 99 % of drivers local to me are great and the other 1 % are not lunatic horse haters but do need a bit of education! I've thankfully never come across one of these! I do think they are very few and far between, the majority of the bad ones 'just' need educating.

 

[MurphysMinder]

My daughter used to moan about wearing hi viz (tough, she didn't leave the yard without it), until she passed her test and started driving. She immediately realised the difference it makes, even in daylight.
And re the risk, a neighbours horse was hit by a car on Sunday, I don't know all the details but the horse broke a leg and was pts at the scene.