Lunging in the dark / Reflective boots etc

[zola89]

I need to lunge my horse over the winter to help build her muscle but unfortunately it will be dark! I have done this before with a head torch and have a mini spot light although really it needs to be mounted much higher to be of any use. I know there are now a lot more reflective products (not fluorescent colours but the silver) and was thinking of getting some reflective brushing boots and maybe a breast plate to help me watch her movement more easily.

Can anybody recommend any products or any other tips for lunging in the dark? TIA

 

[ester]

I've done a lot of lungeing in the dark, usually in a field with no light. This did result in buying a sparkly whip because if we ever put the black one down, certain you'd remember where you'd put it you could be guaranteed not to find it again!

 

[jumbyjack]

I put dog collar lights on the whip handle and on the sides of the horse's browband.

 

[Lexi_]

Have a rummage in the cycling section of Aldi or Ebay - I love their flashing bands as they're the perfect size to wrap round a brushing boot! Should be a lot cheaper than buying a set of hi-viz boots too.

 

[Horsekaren]

Do you find you horse is ok in the dark? we have no lights on our yard so I have always just not done anything when the light is lost. I presumed they would be spooky? I live on a quiet well lit housing estate and my yard is just round the corner of it, ive thought of possibly plodding around the estate when dark but I always tell my self that is a incredibly stupid and dangerous idea :/

sorry to highjack, just curious if more people tend to do work in the dark

 

[Merrymoles]

Have a rummage in the cycling section of Aldi or Ebay - I love their flashing bands as they're the perfect size to wrap round a brushing boot! Should be a lot cheaper than buying a set of hi-viz boots too.

Yes that's a good idea - I use the Aldi flashing bands over my usual hi-vis leg wraps for hacking when the visibility is particularly poor. They stay put really well but you do need something between them and the leg.

 

[ozpoz]

You can get solar powered floodlights.

 

[lunginggirl]

Do you find you horse is ok in the dark? we have no lights on our yard so I have always just not done anything when the light is lost. I presumed they would be spooky? I live on a quiet well lit housing estate and my yard is just round the corner of it, ive thought of possibly plodding around the estate when dark but I always tell my self that is a incredibly stupid and dangerous idea :/

sorry to highjack, just curious if more people tend to do work in the dark

I ride my horse in the dark, my stables has no electricity and my boy has no issues going around the school in the dark. I have done this at a few places where I haven't had electricity and he is no different to riding in the light.

My stables is in the middle of the forest and the cars that drive round the roads aren't always the safest so I keep it to the school! I know people who have hacked out in the dark but their horses are always dressed up like Christmas trees

 

[Lexi_]

Do you find you horse is ok in the dark? we have no lights on our yard so I have always just not done anything when the light is lost. I presumed they would be spooky? I live on a quiet well lit housing estate and my yard is just round the corner of it, ive thought of possibly plodding around the estate when dark but I always tell my self that is a incredibly stupid and dangerous idea :/

sorry to highjack, just curious if more people tend to do work in the dark

We used to have a 'round the block' hack on our old yard which we did in the dark during the winter - popped some disco lights on the horses and away we went. It was a loop between yards with two private houses on it though so the chances of ever meeting a car were about 0.01% and we could pop on the verges in that case - I wouldn't go on normal roads after dusk. It always gave the dog walkers a nice surprise as they could see our lights coming but didn't know what we were! The horses were absolutely fine with it, and they've been fine being ridden in the school with no floodlights either.