Riding in the dark...

S

Sarah1

Well-Known Member
Joined
24 February 2006
Messages
2,273
Visit site
Hi all

Quick question for you - who rides in the dark this time of year? I don't mean hacking but just those with a lack of facilities, does anyone ride/lunge in a field in the dark?

We have a lack of facilities but my horse really isn't happy at all now his work has dropped off & seems very down so I'm thinking I may have to just bite the bullet & lunge/ride in one of the paddocks. My hubby has made me 2nd guess myself tho as he thinks it's a very bad idea & he could get injured!

Other option would be to pay YM to ride him during week but could do without the expense if possible tho if it's the only way I will pay rather than him be miserable! I don't want a sharer.

Advice please!
laugh.gif
 
i did a few years back, the paddock next to the owners house was flat as a pancake, dry and rolled, They used to turn the upstairs lights on so I had some light!

Lou x
 
What do you think to this then...field is opposite farmers cottage so if kitchen lights on it may or may not light a small part up & there is also a big orange night light on the corner of the cow shed that partly lights one end of the field. Field isn't flat as a pancake but it's ok & we do use it for schooling in the day time...
I don't know how the big lad would react so I thought I'd lunge 1st but we've been caught out out hacking a couple of times & had to ride back in the dark & he's absolutley fine, will even go thro water in pitch black (water that he goes thro on a regular basis in the day time & I know it's safe obviously!)!!!!!
 
I tried last night, as have never been anywhere without flood lights (even minimal) in the school. Osc was an absolute idiot jumping at everything and legging it across the arena every chance he got. So i got off, untacked and whizzed him round loose til he was a very tired boy. Strangely there was no spooking once i wasn't on him though
smirk.gif


He did half fall over a crate at one point though, the idiot.
 
I thought I'd lunge 1st & see how he goes then ride if it's goes without incident but my hubby thinks I'm a nut-job!
shocked.gif
smirk.gif
 
Oh dear! How strange that he was ok once he was loose! Tripping over the crate is something my lad would do - probably why my hubby thinks it's the worst idea he's heard!!!!
My lad is very bold so I really can't see him being too bothered about it ebing dark & he's so unhappy at the moment
frown.gif
- the difference at the weekend when we go for a nice long hack is very noticeable.
 
I don't know what to do in future, am wondering if he was just in generally high jinx but we will both just have to get used to it else he will be a very bored, stiff, unfit horse over the winter.

Would leaving your lights on not run your car battery down? As i would like to try this if it worked, but think it probably wouldn't be very good for my little car...

If your lad is usually pretty brave then i would give it a go. My eyes adjusted pretty well, it's not like you can't see anything at all, you can see fence lines etc. I would and probably will do it again, but might lunge first to get some energy out of him as it is a bit more unsettling being set off with in the pitch black than it is normally!
 
I have to ride in the field in the dark during the winter months unfortunately.
I agree with those who dont agree but what else can I do to keep my horse fit for competing at weekends?
I try to ride in the mornings so at least it is getting lighter but it's bit of a bummer and I hate it.
Dont want to move yards because this yard is perfect in every other way (apart from this)
 
I've heard of the car-lights thing working well with a little car before. Just make sure it has been for a decent run beforehand and you don't do it for too long.

It might be better to get someone to ride him if that doesn't work for you though. Us sharers aren't all that bad(!) or perhaps just pay for someone say Weds, to break up the long un-ridden stretch?

Is there anyway you could ride/lunge in the mornings now they're a bit lighter? Lovely way to start the day...
 
yup ride/lunge in field, one yard light on but tbh sometimes better with off as get a lot of shadows
smile.gif


generally much better behaved and less spooky than in light though
smile.gif


we do have quite a lot of houses aroung so prob not totally dark but eyes adjust and we are fine.

It is also my field so I know where any holes are and we can avoid. can honestly say in 5 years of doing this we have never had any sort of problem. I do keep an arena laid out for when its drier and you can see the white really well.
 
i've hacked out in the dark 3 times so far and have schooled twice i need to keep my boy fit otherwise competitig in the spring would be mission impossible
 
Horses have amazingly good night vision,providing you dont keep dazzling them with artificial light sources.When I was at college, I used to hack out every night with a friend, round the local commons.Never had a problem.
 
Thanks everyone - I can give it a whirl for nothing can't I & see how we get on! I'll lunge 1st & if he's ok with that will try him under saddle, I really don't think he'll be a problem it's more that he'll get injured that's stopping me! Failing that I will pay YM to ride him so he's a bit happier!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top