Riding/hacking in the dark

MuffettMischief

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As above!

Does anyone do it?
The roads are very quiet round here and plenty of spaces to pass cars etc. It might become a must this winter for us so wondering wether to go for it or not. We HAVE to keep them fit. We already pay someone to ride twice a week but can’t afford any more as this is an extra £80 a week already. Obviously lit up like Christmas trees and there will be two of us.
We have moved to a yard with no arena (last one had one) so can’t use an arena.
Thanks!
 
I've only hacked on bridlepaths in the dark, no roads involved. If motorists are not used to seeing horses in the dark on a particular road, it will take crucial extra seconds for them to register what the hi viz and even flashing lights, means.
I know this, because hacking down the farm track, adorned with lights and hi viz, other liveries leaving in their cars, couldn't recognise us as a horse and rider even though they were travelling at just 10 mph.
A unhorsey motorist would be taken completely by surprise, so I'd stick to riding out at weekends in the day time.
 
Even a 'horsey' motorist may get caught out, a few years ago I saw ahead of me on a quiet lane what I thought was a well lit up dog walker, they pulled over into a driveway entrance up ahead and I lost sight of them for a moment, it was only when I got really close I saw it was a ridden pony, they had almost every part covered in hi vis, possibly not the horses legs, yet with the hedges and shadowy darkness I really had no idea it was a rider, it is a lane used regularly but they were heading away from the only place for some way that has horses so may have been on their way out, it gave me a bit of a shock even though I was driving slowly and they were not even on the road when I passed them.
 
I used to ride extensively in the dark. The off road riding affected us more then the horse I think, as long as it is generally walking.

For the roads, I felt safe enough on estate roads. Parked cars provide spaces to tuck in and slow the traffic anyway.

The main roads were the worst, even with lights like a Xmas tree. I do not think that they are safe.
 
Around a residential area with street lights I'd do it, or off road riding but probably not regular country roads.
Could you go out in the morning, ie set off as it's getting light as that is at least better than the evening where it's just getting darker?
If they're being exercised by someone twice in the week and you manage to ride both days at the weekend then on 4 days a week work they should maintain a relative level of fitness.
Is there somewhere (car park, well draining field, grassy area by stables etc) you could do in hand work or polework, even in walk once a week can be beneficial/better than nothing and not too likely to chew the ground up/be bad for the horses legs?
I take it moving yards again also isn't an option?
 
I've only hacked on bridlepaths in the dark, no roads involved. If motorists are not used to seeing horses in the dark on a particular road, it will take crucial extra seconds for them to register what the hi viz and even flashing lights, means.
I know this, because hacking down the farm track, adorned with lights and hi viz, other liveries leaving in their cars, couldn't recognise us as a horse and rider even though they were travelling at just 10 mph.
A unhorsey motorist would be taken completely by surprise, so I'd stick to riding out at weekends in the day time.

agreed-I used to have to bring my horse in along 150 yards of country road-lit up like a christmas tree and a regular occurrence and still the locals seemed taken aback every.singe.time its just not worth it. I only do it when I have completely off road access in the winter. If they are ridden 4 times a week thats a fairly good start-especially if fit already, how fit do they need to be?
 
I do it. High viz and also have really powerful head torches, one facing backwards and one facing forwards. I go so early that im highly unlikely to see a car anyway.
 
I used to hack off road in the dark, but the furthest I went on road was crossing the lane. I just wouldn't do it on any roads these days.
 
I used to ride a lot in the dark, but only ever off road hacking and riding in the field. I wouldn't risk country lanes. And the problem with quiet lanes is that other people expect them to be quiet too, so won't be expecting a horse and rider round the next bend as they fly home from work etc.
 
The road out from my current yard is as quiet as they come. Single track with passing places, very little traffic and most go steadily and good visibility in daylight. But there was a horse from the yard killed on it when they went out in the dusk. To be fair they weren't hi-vizzed or lit up so it's not a fair test. But it does put me off trying after dark riding even on quiet roads. It's one of those things that SHOULD be fine because, if they see all the lights drivers SHOULD slow right down even, or especially, if they don't know what it is. If I see lights up ahead I slow right down in case it's some kind of mad shaped farm vehicle coming at me or a mob of walkers or cyclists all over the road. But people don't do what they should. More likely to continue at the same speed thinking "What's that?" until it's too late.

I'd quite like to ride off road in the dark though. Just because I want to get one of those horse headtorches coz I think they're funny.
 
I think it entirely depends on your situation, I have done so but usually to access off road hacking and mornings so that it was light by the time I'd be back on the road again. The only people I ever saw driving were those taking their dogs to the same off road stretch who were also regulars.

Arguably I think I am more visible in the dark with the number of lights use (bit concerned by the person using headlights front and back, I always stick to the white to the front/red to the back convention to help people). BUT people are not expecting to see you on a horse and give space and slow down enough. Albeit an oh shit what's that usually means the slow happens.
 
I ride around the main village roads and through the housing estates, in the dark, during winter. All roads are very well lit and there are lots of cars. I've got the Mercury reflective set from Equisafety and its brilliant. I'm more visible in the dark than lots of riders are during the day without hiviz.
 
I don't get those at all, horses see fine in the dark and I feel head torches must be confusing for them. I never wear one.

That's fair enough. They just amuse me. They don't make much sense pointing forwards to be fair.... lighting up the blind spot! If you wanted to light up what the horse actually sees you'd need them on the side wouldn't you, one on either end of the browband! 😂

People must have ridden in the dark when horses were transport. And they probably didn't have head torches then either.
 
I have one of the breast plate lights for riding in the woods in the dark - it's for me not the horse, as I find the light from a headtorch wobbles about too much, which I find annoying.
 
The talk of lights has reminded me, when off road I do only ride on tracks I know very well (other than the branches apparently) and that aren't likely to have developed any dangerous holes of footing issues.

MoC it hadn't been an issue in somerset as open fields, after a few clonkings I decided it was definitely necessary though I don't like the bobbing around either.
 
I rode in the dark a lot last year, either on tracks or nearby there was an industrial estate with huge verges and street lights so I used to ride round that. This year I’m somewhere different and the roads are quieter and windier with no lighting so I’m busy working out a couple of hacks with no road work needed!
I always rode with a head torch on, it had a red light at the back and I had bike lights I put on my stirrups with white/red plus all the hi viz and reflective wear I could find.
 
Daughter and I did a year or so back. We have to do about 80 yds on a narrow unlit lane then cross a main road to off miles of bridleways. We were hi vizzed and used red and white bicycle lights and had no problems. We don't have an arena so it was that or don't ride :)
 
Depending on where you are, be careful of people shooting (vermin round here) in the dark off-road. They aren't expecting anyone to be around.
 
Not a chance would I ride on the roads in the dark, riding on the roads is dangerous enough as it is!

I do and have ridden in fields / arena without lights

I now, thankfully, have an arena with lights

Good you not box to an arena a couple of times a week OP?
 
I think you need to check up on what is the law. Cyclists have to display a rear back light, at least. Motorists will certainly not be expecting a horse to be out on the roads, you might be better off in a place with street lighting.
 
I did it for a winter. Rode out at 5am. Nothing on the roads at all round here at that time. I saw one car all winter and because it had it's headlights on full, had ages of time to get off the road and out of the way. Very early in the morning is best for avoiding traffic.
 
I once drove the back road in to the village, I was only doing about 20 and until I was about 20ft away I could not see two horses and riders. Frightened the life out of me. One had upper high viz on, but it relies on light being reflected and on dipped beams it may not get any light until too late.A no from me
 
Round here I wouldn't. Certainly not in the evenings, too many people racing home - morning might be more of an option. It's very rural and in the dark that's a bad thing imo for the reasons given above. I'd probably ride in areas with street lighting though.
 
I did it regularly for quite a few years around a well lit residential area. I made sure I wore a light up tabard and the horse had a breast plate and flashing tail guard incase we got separated.

I really enjoyed it but most of the residents were used to seeing horses on the road. The only mishap we had was one evening December accidentally meeting the rotary club's Christmas float complete with speakers, collection buckets getting shaken and Santa on top of his sleigh (a ford escort). Horse wasn't too keen on that!
 
No, I wouldn't be on the roads in the dark even if I was lit up like a Christmas tree.

I also wouldn't be off road hacking in the dark on my own... mainly because I am a wuss:p
 
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