Lights for hacking in the dark

[Mrs C]

Hello all! Following on from the post about hacking in the dark (which it seems a lot do!), id love to know about any must have equipment!

I've moved yards and this is the first winter where i have access to use a school up the lane. No roadwork involved but no lights either. I can also hack round the fields.
I have a headtorch but it doesn't tilt

Any bright ideas or fabulous solutions that will light us up and shine in front of us giving me decent visibility?

 

[Abacus]

Before we got arena lights I used a couple of these (something similar, not the exact ones):

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12507644...oou95BuF8FGP3h6A9FfrXTBA==|tkp:Bk9SR_qPzZjxYA

One at each end gave enough light to do flatwork. You could put one on your field fence. They are light enough to carry by hand if hacking along to your arena, but a headtorch might be better for this.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

Your horse will see much better than you in the dark. If you use lights you will spoil your horse's vision. Try just letting your eyes adjust to the dark. Amazing how much you can see once used to it. I used to lunge my stallion in the dark, no lights any where and we both coped just fine.

 

[MuddyMonster]

I use running/cycling lights on my stirrups, breastplate, saddle, exercise sheets and as leg wraps for his legs.

I use a headtorch on my hat and not had any problems using it.

 

[Mrs C]

Thanks for your replies ?

 

[Birker2020]

Your horse will see much better than you in the dark. If you use lights you will spoil your horse's vision. Try just letting your eyes adjust to the dark. Amazing how much you can see once used to it. I used to lunge my stallion in the dark, no lights any where and we both coped just fine.

Yes on the one yard I was at, we had to pay for lights on a meter. So I used to tack up my horse, have all my riding kit on, and lunge him in the dark. Then as soon as I was ready I'd take the lunge line off, hop over the fence (horse would just stand still with reins under stirrups) and put money in the meter and hop back over the fence and jump on him and go!

He used to lunge fine in the dark.

 

[Hallo2012]

headtorch will make you feel sea sick.

better in the pitch black, your eyes wil adjust.

 

[Vodkagirly]

Hello all! Following on from the post about hacking in the dark (which it seems a lot do!), id love to know about any must have equipment!

I've moved yards and this is the first winter where i have access to use a school up the lane. No roadwork involved but no lights either. I can also hack round the fields.
I have a headtorch but it doesn't tilt

Any bright ideas or fabulous solutions that will light us up and shine in front of us giving me decent visibility?

I used to wear a led Sam Brown belt, you look like a Christmas tree but very visible.
On horses breastplate I had a clip on led and a led tail guard.
I felt it was very important to have light on front and back of both of us in case of parting company.
Your eyes do get used to the dark.

 

[HorsesRule2009]

I have one of these it's great and super lightweight https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rechargeab...cCI6IjUuNDEifQ==&sprefix=head,aps,196&sr=8-13

Before I bought thud I just used a normal head torch facing forward with a red light attached to the back of my hat.
I wear a silver reflective coat (bought super cheap from aldi/lidl) with a reflective tabard over it and but a hiviz reflective sheet on the horse that handily has a red light across his bump on the tail flap.

Cars have always crawled past in the dark

 

[Fieldlife]

Your horse will see much better than you in the dark. If you use lights you will spoil your horse's vision. Try just letting your eyes adjust to the dark. Amazing how much you can see once used to it. I used to lunge my stallion in the dark, no lights any where and we both coped just fine.

If riding in a public place it is good to have some lights even if just red ones on you and your horse, so dog walkers and cyclists can see you!

 

[Barton Bounty]

Yes on the one yard I was at, we had to pay for lights on a meter. So I used to tack up my horse, have all my riding kit on, and lunge him in the dark. Then as soon as I was ready I'd take the lunge line off, hop over the fence (horse would just stand still with reins under stirrups) and put money in the meter and hop back over the fence and jump on him and go!

He used to lunge fine in the dark.

My friend has this in her indoor, 50p meter lol, it reminded me of my grans telly! Years and years ago lol