Riding/hacking in the dark

[Hormonal Filly]

Farmer has a private woodland and a few private fields, I hack around those in winter with my head torch on. Have to have a pretty safe horse, even my super safe gelding had a few jumps.

Years ago I hacked out just before dark, stirrup torches, head torch, rear torch and hi vis all over me. The traffic was slower and more curious than daytime as I think they were shocked to see me, super bright head torch mean't they saw me around bends before they got to me, but would be worried about doing it now unless a residential area with some street lights..

 

[oldie48]

I would not ride on unlit country roads, it's pretty dangerous when it's light but in the dark would be a complete no no for me. Drivers assume that when they have their lights on they will see another vehicle because of it's lights, they won't be looking for horses lit up with bicycle lamps.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Hacking out on the roads with no hi viz whilst wearing dark clothing and on dark horses at sunrise is also not a good idea.

I do have recent dash cam footage of this but can’t load it atm. Luckily the driver was proceeding slowly anyway, he had just left home and needed dipped headlights to see his way in the gloom. You can just about pick out the horses ahead if you squint.

 

[oldie48]

Hacking out on the roads with no hi viz whilst wearing dark clothing and on dark horses at sunrise is also not a good idea.

I do have recent dash cam footage of this but can’t load it atm. Luckily the driver was proceeding slowly anyway, he had just left home and needed dipped headlights to see his way in the gloom. You can just about pick out the horses ahead if you squint.

This was really brought home to me today although it was 10.00a.m. I had turned Rose out in a different paddock and I went up to check all was peaceful. I saw Fatty, the palomino immediately but couldn't see Rose at all. I had a complete panic, all the gates were closed, the one to the lane is padlocked but she was no-where to be seen. Actually she was standing in the shadow of a hedge and even when I was quite close to her she was pretty much invisible. Many of our lanes create the same shadows on sunny days!

 

[ester]

Farmer has a private woodland and a few private fields, I hack around those in winter with my head torch on. Have to have a pretty safe horse, even my super safe gelding had a few jumps.

Frank much less spooky in the dark, it was lovely!

I would not ride on unlit country roads, it's pretty dangerous when it's light but in the dark would be a complete no no for me. Drivers assume that when they have their lights on they will see another vehicle because of it's lights, they won't be looking for horses lit up with bicycle lamps.

Why would they also not be assuming they might see bicycle lamps? Which thankfully are excellent these days.

 

[Alibear]

I had a look last year and if 9-5 work/school is the issue then getting up early to go before hand gives you an extra month or so of daylight hacking.

Found the bit in the highway code
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/rules-about-animals-47-to-58
Rule 51
At night. It is safer not to ride on the road at night or in poor visibility, but if you do, make sure you wear reflective clothing and your horse has reflective bands above the fetlock joints. A light which shows white to the front and red to the rear should be fitted, with a band, to the rider’s right arm and/or leg/riding boot. If you are leading a horse at night, carry a light in your right hand, showing white to the front and red to the rear, and wear reflective clothing on both you and your horse. It is strongly recommended that a fluorescent/reflective tail guard is also worn by your horse.

 

[Kat]

I am sometimes out when it is getting dark, occasionally after lighting up time but not often. I wouldn't go out in full darkness on our unlit roads. I do ensure that if it is getting late I carry lights as well as hi-viz and reflectives. Night mountain bikers are common round here so drivers are used to seeing strange lights on the road.

If you are going to be out after lighting up time you MUST by law show a white light to the front and a red one to the rear. These should be constant not flashing. It is sensible to have multiple flashing lights and lots of reflectives too.