Nearly invisible horse and rider.

Meowy Catkin

Meowy Catkin

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I know that there have been a few threads recently about horses being ridden in the dark, but I've just got in from going to the garage and on the way I passed a horse and rider (so in daylight). It was on a straight road with high hedges, the horse was black and the rider had dark clothes on. They almost completely blended into the hedge.

Why can't people be sensible and make themselves easy to spot? I just don't get it.
 
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I agree, I think its a vanity thing - they worry makes them look like a nervous rider - no it doesn't, it just acknowledges that many drivers aren't as good as they like to think they are.

Have the self confidence (and good sense) to wear high viz, unless, of course, you happen to live in an area where all the drivers are totally aware and quite brilliant.
 
It was me that nearly drove into a bay ridden horse with a grey led horse on the inside on Monday Evening. I posted about it when I got home, it really shook me up.

Here are two pictures taken today of my horses, I am beginning to think orange is better than yellow. I also think both horse and rider need the gear on, look at the difference on the head on shot.



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The orange is fab. I'm thinking about getting a new tabard and I might go for orange this time. :)

ETA - it is scary when you suddenly do notice them.
 
We have yellow high-vis for our appaloosa and then I use pink on my grey as I think it stands out better. I also agree about having it on both horse and rider... if we parted ways out on a hack then I'd like my horse to be seen easily and for me to be found easily!

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I've just seen a cyclist out without lights or high vis. Perhaps 'seen' is the wrong word as I nearly stepped out to cross the road in front of him. I really don't understand riding a horse out without high vis and reflectives on. They're expensive, precious animals and I don't trust car drivers at the best of times.
 
I was chatting to the people on the stand at Hoy's when I bought that orange tutu for the barge cob, they reckon drivers are so used to seeing acres of oil seed rape that yellow does not trigger a response anymore.

I do think the colour of the horse needs factoring in when deciding which hiviz colour to go with. The orange stands out far more on my dark liver chestnut mare than yellow does.
 
I always always wear hi viz, just not worth the risk. My YM refuses point blank as apparently "round by us people will expect to see a horse" despite the fact that I myself nearly hit her riding a bay horse under the trees & I was going really slowly on the narrow lane expecting that there may be horses, I told her I couldn't see her. This morning on the way back from the yard along the narrow lane, in driving rain I came upon someone leading a young, dark coloured horse. The handler was wearing a dark coat, no hi viz at all. I came upon them on a blind bend & luckily going slowly anticipating horses/hazards, sorry but what is wrong with people???
 
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my old horse was grey which helps! when I got a dark bay on loan I had to add way more hi viz as it was a very wooded area. Currently on moorland with bays-with some old forestry so think orange better for me these days. Pink also but can't do pink and bays (or pink with anything ;) ).
 
I never go out unless we are both draped in high viz, even if I'm staying off road. In the event we have an accident and for example I fall off and get injured, much more chance of of being found wearing high viz and I make sure my mare has high viz on too. We both have orange and it shows up really well and hubby says he can see us at the bottom of the half a mile private road easily. If he can see me clearly from that distance then proves how much easier it is to spot someone close up!!

I just so t get why people are putting themselves and their horses at risk by not wearing it. Real pet hate seeing dark horses with riders in dark clothes also, motorists don't stand a chance!!
 
I once asked someone who refused to wear hi-viz, why? They said it was because it looked messy.....

I told them, not half as messy as you'll look lying in hospital in traction while they scrape the remains of your horse off the road with a shovel...

Personally if someone is that stupid I'm not bothered if they come to grief, but I am bothered about the horse though.
 
AdorableAlice said:
It was me that nearly drove into a bay ridden horse with a grey led horse on the inside on Monday Evening. I posted about it when I got home, it really shook me up.

Here are two pictures taken today of my horses, I am beginning to think orange is better than yellow. I also think both horse and rider need the gear on, look at the difference on the head on shot.



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could you please let me know where you got your hi viz quarter sheet from please? I havebeen looking for one just like it!
 
We use hi-viz/reflective leg bands on the horses whenever we go out, they are in the drivers eye-line (particularly with our hills) and the movement catches the eye. We have had a fair few drivers stop and tell us that they saw the legs first :D Some of our RC members were 'too cool' for hi-viz (several of them more than old enough to know better) Until they saw the hi-vized up ride coming off a track half a mile across the valley!
 
Because they are arrogant know it alls who think they are above it all. i make a point of glaring at them if they don't have hiviz lol

I passed a couple of riders the other day in similar conditions, both leading horses on the inside of them. If one of them had have swang its back end out, it wouldn't have lived to tell the tale.
 
Really good photos, thanks.
Aldi is a good source of reasonably priced high viz stuff, often with reflective strips as well. I go for pink, which seems to also show up better than the yellow. Like that orange though, very clear. I've just purchased some yellow bands from Aldi's cycling gear, they have red flashing lights and show up really well. Good around your arm or leg, or use the velcro to join two together and they fit nicely around a hat.
 
I've got to the point where I don't care about people commenting on my hi-viz. My horse and I wear:

At minimum:
Hat cover
Hi-Viz fleece/tabard
Bright orange schooling whip
Neck strap
Hi viz leg wraps

In the winter
As above plus:
Orange hi-viz "ears"
Reflective exercise sheet
Orange hi-viz leg bandages or wraps

I don't care if we "glow" - we are seen!!

I also have no hesitation in telling someone I can't see them when they are on the road - regardless of whether they think I am rude or not.
 
I got laughter at twice the other day on my hack :( but I don't care I'm visable I know it and so what if my mare has red lights in her tail, seems to amuse people for some reason
 
Hexx said:
I've got to the point where I don't care about people commenting on my hi-viz. My horse and I wear:

At minimum:
Hat cover
Hi-Viz fleece/tabard
Bright orange schooling whip
Neck strap
Hi viz leg wraps

In the winter
As above plus:
Orange hi-viz "ears"
Reflective exercise sheet
Orange hi-viz leg bandages or wraps

I don't care if we "glow" - we are seen!!

I also have no hesitation in telling someone I can't see them when they are on the road - regardless of whether they think I am rude or not.
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Wish you lived in my area, we have a LOT of thick prats who will not wear high viz and they don't care if u tell them. I would like them to have a scary near miss and make them see sence
 
I wear yellow hi vis and reflective, even when going on our usual hack which is only about 50 yards on a public road. I have reflective yellow bands with red flashing LEDs for round Jazz's legs, non-flashing leg bands, and reflective arm and leg bands for me. I also have a bright pink quarter sheet with reflective stripes. Nobody's missing us!

ETA - I do have a reflective neck strap as well, will need to dig it out for the winter.
 
I get fed up with seeing people hacking out without hi-viz - and always the same excuse - "It got dark quickly - we got caught out". Funny that, because you said that last time as well, and the time before..........

I wear hi-viz winter and summer - I care not what others think or say!
 
It's utter madness to head out on the roads without hi vis. Why not give drivers a better chance of seeing your horse?! I just don't understand. I like to wear matchy etc in the school, but on a hack I wear a pink hi viz waistcoat and the pony wears minimum yellow hi viz boots and neck strap, and a sheet too when it's cold. I save the 'smart' stuff for when we are in the safety of the school and don't need to be seen by cars.
 
NinjaPony said:
It's utter madness to head out on the roads without hi vis. Why not give drivers a better chance of seeing your horse?! I just don't understand. I like to wear matchy etc in the school, but on a hack I wear a pink hi viz waistcoat and the pony wears minimum yellow hi viz boots and neck strap, and a sheet too when it's cold. I save the 'smart' stuff for when we are in the safety of the school and don't need to be seen by cars.
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Very good point! Its not as if the driver will notice you are wearing ariats and pikeur is it! Rather be seen than admired for being pretty. Anyway i happen to think hiviz is very nice colour wise hahaa
 
I use pink after being at work watching the CCTV camera at work to see someone who was in a yellow hi-viz suddenly appear from next to hedge. That changed my mind on my hi-viz colour
 
I've said this before and say again it again..should be compulsory to wear hi viz. We always wear hi viz summer and winter. If only for your horses sake!!
 
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