My annual Hi-viz plea

R

Ranyhyn

Well-Known Member
Joined
21 November 2008
Messages
21,273
Location
Funny farm
Visit site
Every year I get on my soapbox and pontificate about hi-viz, this year is no different
grin.gif


Come on guys - if you love your horse, why on earth would you not just get some hi-viz, whack it on and give him the best chance of survival in the case of an accident?

We pay out thousands, we look after them, we dote on them, we love them - and this one bit of kit could perhaps be the most important thing in our riding wardrobe.

And if anyone from HH or any other mag reads this why oh why isn't there some kind of initiative to give out free hi viz vests with the winter mags and why not make a huge thing of us all looking good and being SAFE in our hi-viz.

Please add your photos of your hi-viz and lets smash away those "I look stupid" " I look like a beginner" misconceptions and celebrate our day-go look
grin.gif


Mine (crap pic but it gives you the idea of just how much light these bad boys bounce back)

Ps// I have learnt how to tie my haynet properly since this pic!
066.jpg
 
Well said, even in summer I go out hacking looking like a christmas tree and so does my horse. My horse's life is too important to blend into the background.
 
well on this note, my OH and I were going to do minnie and went round a bend and had to say to OH to be careful as there was a young girl on a dark horse riding in the dusk with no hi viz on!!
you can never be too careful
 
Here, here.
Just wish they did more things for the giants of the horse world, like my boy. I would like a reflective (err, the word is failing me, looks like a horse necklace, bit like a martingale) and reflective excercise sheet, but they don't make anything that is even nearly big enough for my lad.
 
Great post- i have no pics but always wear hi vis vest and gloves.

Am trying to think of the best thing so buy that will stay attached to horse in the event that i don't! Might get some leg bands like yours, but i am worried they will have a strop at having things on their legs. Tail guards are out as their tails are usually somewhere over their backs. Maybe stirrup wraps, but they're not that visible. Am open to ideas !

I find it hard to believe now that a few years ago i found it acceptable to go out without hi viz. Only ever put it on if i was going out in the evenings. It should probably be made law. Doesn't cost a lot- got my vest and delivery for 3 quid.
 
I always wear loads of hi-viz and so does Toto. I just don't understand why people decide not to wear it
confused.gif
Who cares what you look like, you can't scrimp on safety!

Can't find any pics at the moment, but me and Toto have hi-viz leg wraps, hat band, tabard, neck strap, exercise sheet etc.
 
[ QUOTE ]


Come on guys - if you love your horse, why on earth would you not just get some hi-viz, whack it on and give him the best chance of survival in the case of an accident?



[/ QUOTE ]

couln't have put it better myself

this is prince years ago when I was younger (and had no fashion sense!! excuse the socks thing), he still wears the same rug in water (mesh fly version other times of year) and I always wear a high viz waistcat, we don't hack out in the dark but I think that drivers respect you more with hi viz on and therefore slow down more
princeinyellow.jpg
 
Never ride without it even in the middle of summer on a bright sunny day. At the moment we are at risk of being shot in the woods so we take special pains to be as luminous as possible.
 
Currently I wear a tabard, martingale and leg bands. Come winter I will upgrade to a hi-viz quarter sheet and headband and hopefully some flashing stuff too.

Personally I don't care if people laugh and think I look like an idiot, because that day when a car comes screetching to a halt behind my horse and we walk away breathing a sigh of relief and not in bits...I'll be the one laughing.
 
Well done for bringing this subject up at a crucial time of year i.e. when the clock change is about to cut our short evenings even shorter. I agree that we should all wear some hi-viz all year round - how many of us as drivers have struggled to see clearly whilst our eyes are adjusting from brilliant sunshine (does happen occassionally!) to areas of shade under trees in the middle of the day? But in Winter visibility is often poor all day long and I know that when in the driving seat I am always thankful for the extra warning and extra seconds that hi viz affords when I see a day glo rider. As a rider I feel increasingly vulnerable on our ever faster roads and want to be seen as easily as possible. If we all wear it it becomes less stigmatised, and hopefully everyone will start to feel their vulnerability without it. We owe it to our horses as we are the ones choosing to take them on dangerous roads - it should be a natural part of our responsility and commitment to them. Also manufacturers are starting to produce more tailored and attractive hi viz gilets, jackets etc - so lets increase demand, wear our bright colours with pride and be seen to be responsible - that way we should be afforded more respect. I agrre that drivers seem more willing to slow down if they see you have made an effort to do your best in terms of road safety.
 
Shires do some nice Hi Viz clothing.

I have no pictures, but I wear an orange motorway style jacket, horse wears a yellow quater sheet, plus pink reflective brushing boots, and rein slips. I'd like a necklace for her too.
 
This is me and Harley in April - I wear this jacket all the time, I love it, it's got loads of pockets, all with zips, and a decent size hood. The manufacturer also does a waistcoat, padded bomber style jacket, and chaps, all fab! It's rare for me to meet any traffic, I rode for over an hour on Saturday morning all on the roads, and met one car, but I still wouldn't go our without hi viz - I love my horse, and I want us both to stay alive.
DSC02553.jpg


Probably best not to discuss what the hell I was doing in this one, but you can see the jacket!
DSC02562.jpg
 
I will always wear hi vis on roads not just to be seen, but I think it makes drivers remember to be cautious and to 'think' more.

It definitely gives off a certain element of 'safety awareness' we which all need.

Hacking out with a friend recently on a busy road (still in the country) I could not believe the drivers speeding past (thank god our horses were used to the traffic) but I think we all need all the help we can get on the roads!

x
 
I always wear hi-viz/reflective gear.

My 'outfit' includes:

Hat band
Martingale
Reflective boots for the nag. I find these excellent as motorists notice what is moving.

I am still on the hunt for a dressage length reflective/hi viz whip!
 
Mac. He also has fluorescent brushing boots behind, and bands on front legs. Has an exercise sheet as well.
DSC00579.jpg


Dolly
DSC00265.jpg


She also has leg bands. I have a bright pink tabbard for during the day, and one with flashing lights if I am out in the dark.
 
I ALWAYS wear hi-viz when I hack out no matter what weather or where I am going. My horses and my own life are too important to me not to (same with my hat!)
I always have my hi-viz shires gilet on, will be replacing this with a massive jacket again for winter, a exercise sheet (thin enough for summer and put over his normal one in winter) - and leg wraps.
I will be investing in at least a hat band and breastplate for him.

I was driving yesterday in good light and one particular road goes down a hill and up the other side so you can basicly see around 1 mile or so up the other side - I could see someone walking as they had hi viz one but past around 4-5 people not wearing them and I never saw them until I was fairly close to them. Certainly makes you realise how beneficial hi viz is to drivers - I do not understand why people do not wear it.
 
Don't get me started on Hi Viz
shocked.gif
smirk.gif
.... I want to stop and shout out at riders who do not care enough about their horse to bother to try and protect ther beloved horse, by wearing even a simple tabard
crazy.gif
blush.gif



Me and Motor in 1996 up on the top of Leith Hill in the middle of nowhere, even then I was wearing it, plus my lovely orange fleece wrapped round my waist
blush.gif
shocked.gif


96MotoronHolidayatLeithHillTower7th.jpg



In 2005 with a fellow HHO'er .... you know who you are
grin.gif
blush.gif


05BoysandTaniaaround23rdJuly20051.jpg



Christmas Day at home in 2007 Motor and my TB .... I am taking the pic
grin.gif


07ChristmasDayRide20071127-1007.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top