Riding in the Dark :/

Crackajack

Crackajack

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I was running late last night...

Tacked up walked round to the schools and found them both full! :(:mad:

The indoor was privately booked for a lesson and there were three people outside in the floodlit arena! :(

It was still light but it was approx 8.30pm so going dusk/dark....

We have a 'back' field which is at the back of the farm and is just one big field so i went in there and rode him - played around the edge until we got to a flat bit and then did some schoolin and then had a play around the edge on the way back :D
he was ssoo much more responsive and listening well :D

When we got back to the farm chaos errupted because they all thought i was mad for riding in the dark!
To be fair by the time we finished scholling and started playing on the way back it was pretty much black but we were in an open field so it wasn't too bad you could still see!

What are everybodies thoughts on riding in the dark??
 
I used to sneak into the field in the winter and ride my old mare when the moon was bright enough to see! It would usually be a frosty night. When I was younger I hasten to add. I would only do it when noone was watching as the YO would have said no!!!!! The mare loved it! She got really excited and schooled really well too.
 
I used to, because I finished work quite late and by the time I got back it was starting to go dark.
Used to ride in a field and never had any problems. But a couple of other liveries used to say I shouldnt do it.
When I left that job I managed to get a job where I can ride in daylight lol
 
I would have done the same as you. I think its fine, its not like you were on the roads or anything. I don't have a arean and just school in the fields, so it's basically just like being in the school, except not as much light.
I can't really understand why it's a big deal??
 
We have loads of off road hacking so we do it quite a lot in winter, especially on Pony Club nights when both the arenas are in use. I don't find Dylan any jumpier than normal (lol), and always wear hi-viz (there are sometimes residents' cars on the estate road, and the place is properly pitch black at night so I'd prefer to be seen!)
 
I always used to ride in the dark in the field. It was that or not ride at all through the week. I never had any problems with it. I would carry on and ignore them.
 
Hack out in the dark every winter, headlight on horse, hi viz and flashing jacket.

PosHeadlightcopy.jpg
 
I personally don't think there is a problem with it at all! When I was track riding in Australia it was always dark for the first few lots and we used to get the bad ones out then as it almost pacified them to a degree. Obviously I would condone riding on the roads in the dark without headlamp (as picture above demonstrates) on horse and hi viz on horse and rider. Would also suggest a tail-lamp (might be something for Dragon's Den??!!!)
 
I can't see very well in the dark at all and my horse is probably not a good horse to be riding in the dark. LOL
I would totally ride in the dark in the field or in the arena though :) I would really want to do that but I live round the corner so I have to walk and am not keen on walking through the woods in the dark on my own.. and my YO would probably have a fit if he saw me riding my horse in the field in the dark, infact I don't think i'm even allowed to go and see him when it's dark. I am always made to feel unwelcome when it's getting dark or a bit late. I would totally invest in one of those lights you fit on your hat though - They look really good! If my YO was okay with me going up when it's dark I would really like to get one and ride him in the evenings.
 
Only just managed to find this post again after i started it the other day! :eek:
The OP on the yard were saying that i shouldn't have done it incase my horse reacted badly - but i dont think that would even be a problem if he did react badly - all he would have done is tanked it off back to the yard!
:D
Its only the same as closing your eyes!
:eek::D:eek:
I did it again the other night - we had ssoo much fun...had a canter round and everything! :)
Not going to make it a regular thing but its nice to know that i could ride in the dark if i needed to!
That light is fantastic idea for me using it round the back field in winter :)
Where did you find the light Pedantic?? :D
 
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