Riding in the dark ?

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niagaraduval

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Hi all,

After reading 'ilovefoals' s thead about winter riding, I posted to hear what you guys think.

In the winter when I get home it is pitch black, I am usually home about 8pm. My boy could really do with being ridden more than 3 times a week in winter as he is very very lively (he is turned out some afternoons). The bridle paths are a small walk away. I was thinking of lighting myself and horse up like christmas tree and riding him out in the dark. I have no lights or school atall so it really is pitch black, and will be when I get out into the tracks.

Is this a good idea or is it too dangerous ? Would my horse be more spooky than usual ? Have you ever ridden in the dark on your own ?

Ps : He would be equiped head to toe in reflective wear as well as lights on his headpiece between his ears, I would also be head to toe in reflectives and have lights on my hat also.
 
Remember Tam O Shanter [Robert Burns]

...."This truth fand honest Tam o' Shanter,
As he frae Ayr ae night did canter............
..........[Thou drank wi' Kirkton Jean till Monday,
She prophesied that late or soon,
Thou wad be found, deep drown'd in Doon,
Or catch'd wi' warlocks in the mirk
By Alloway's auld, haunted kirk.]
.......Weel-mounted on his grey mare, Meg,
A better never lifted leg,
Tam skelpit on thro' dub and mire,
Despising wind, and rain, and fire;
Whiles holding fast his gude blue bonnet,
Whiles crooning o'er some auld Scots sonnet,
Whiles glow'rin round wi' prudent cares,
Lest bogles catch him unawares;
Kirk-Alloway was drawing nigh,
Where ghaists and houlets nightly cry.

......But Maggie stood, right sair astonish'd,
Till, by the heel and hand admonish'd,
She ventur'd forward on the light;
.........

For Nannie, far before the rest,
Hard upon noble Maggie prest,
And flew at Tam wi' furious ettle;
But little wist she Maggie's mettle!
Ae spring brought off her master hale,
But left behind her ain grey tail:
The carlin claught her by the rump,
And left poor Maggie scarce a stump.

Now, wha this tale o' truth shall read,
Ilk man and mother's son, take heed:
Whene'er to Drink you are inclin'd,
Or Cutty-sarks rin in your mind,
Think ye may buy the joys o'er dear;
Remember Tam o' Shanter's mare.

[Footnote 1: It is a well-known fact that witches, or any evil spirits, have no power to follow a poor wight any further than the middle of the next running stream.
 
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We are lucky enough to have direct access onto a disused railway track which is well used by joggers, cyclists and dog walkers so everyone rides in the dark all winter. Everyone goes out lit up like an xmas tree and theres never been any problems, wouldn't fancy it on my own though, too many eyes in the bushes!
 
I don't know what Mrs D123 is on, but can I have some too please?:)
Cowboys used to rely on their horses to take them home in the dark after a night drinking in the old saloon....what do you think horses do all night when they are out?
They see a whole lot better than we do, and don't need extra carrots or night vision goggles lol!
To answer your question I think it would be fine but never take a risk without full reflectives. Try it and see, but be careful of the ghoulies and ghosties and long legged beasties and thinks that go bump in the night.....
 
The tracks are really out in the middle of nowhere and I have never come across anyone whilst using them. I have a loaner for him but she can only ride him once during the week and then I ride him out at weekends.
I thought having lights everywhere for me to see and being cover from head to toe in reflectives (horse too) might be acceptable ?
 
very dangerous I think, even if you arent on the road-you wont be able to see if there are any pot holes on the floor or any wire etc that the horse might get caught up in. What if the horse did spook and you fall off, who is going to know/see you at 9pm at night in the dark. Too many what ifs- Id rather not risk it.
 
I would never consider riding in the dark, as if I step one foot on a road in the dark its not acceptable, yes horses can see in the dark but aside from anything else, its really not fair on drivers. I would maybe consider it if I could go round a streetlit housing estate though.
 
Definately not something I would do. Ok, horse might be able to see where he is going, but would you be able to see obstacles on the ground, pot holes, logs etc etc.
 
I ride in the dark all winter every winter. I would never hack on roads but go out around our hay fields and anywhere accessible without going on roads.

I've never found a horse to be more spooky in the dark and your eyes adjust quickly and you can see better than you think you will be able to even really late. I work them as normal and have a good canter where possible. I really dont see a problem unless your in real unknown territory or on roads.
 
Just a little note about seeing obstacles from a night rider.

When I first moved to my (remote) area, I remember going out in the dark and Henry being desperate to go up a track which went toward home. Thinking 'why not', I let him and he trotted full pelt all the way up. Next time I went up there was daylight and I ***** myself at the roughness of the track!

Lesson is, if your horse is good on his feet, then trust him! There are more dangerous obstacles at (your) head height. Take it from someone who's had more than her fair share of branches up a nostril!!
 
Remember if you go on a road at all you need to carry proper lights by law! Red to the rear and white in front on your arm or leg, check the highway code for the wattages.
 
If you know the area and are happy do do it, then do it, you have your mobile and you can tell someone where you are going and when you will be back, sometimes it is very dark [moon / clouds] so I would not go too far if you are unhappy
 
Last year I schooled in the dark for weeks, and it is suprising how much your eyes can adjust.

I don't think I would risk it on roads though, but if you know the bridleways well, and could maybe check before hand for any hazzards, then you might as well give it a go!
 
Puppy said:
I think it's incredibly dangerous :( :(
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Derfette said:
I'm afraid I agree with Puppy, very dangerous!! Is there someone you know that could exercise the horse for you 2/3 times a week?
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pixiebee said:
very dangerous I think, even if you arent on the road-you wont be able to see if there are any pot holes on the floor or any wire etc that the horse might get caught up in. What if the horse did spook and you fall off, who is going to know/see you at 9pm at night in the dark. Too many what ifs- Id rather not risk it.
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Stencilface said:
I would never consider riding in the dark, as if I step one foot on a road in the dark its not acceptable, yes horses can see in the dark but aside from anything else, its really not fair on drivers. I would maybe consider it if I could go round a streetlit housing estate though.
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Asking for trouble,you dont know who or what is lurking around in the dark. Putting yourself and your horse at risk. I would NEVER ride in the dark,no way on this earth.
 
I ride in the dark every winter, hence the headlight, I think it depends on where and how good your horse is, mine tends to be less spooky in the dark and his powerful headlight lights up the ground fine, plus my hi viz and flashing top I'm difficult to miss, also riding round the housing estates is fine as there are plenty of well lit street lights, along the river is brill when it's a full moon and a clear sky, I will have a canter then as well.

Jusy because others don't have a sensible animal or the confidence, doesn't necessarily make it any more dangerous than normal.
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I used to do it on my first pony; when I got home from school in the winter it was dark, so I'd slip on my jods, drag pony out of the field, slap on a saddle, and away we'd go - all we had was a stirrup light (battery operated) and looking back I see just how incredibly dangerous it was, but then the roads were much quieter then.

I don't know how far you'd have to go OP from your yard to the bridleways? i.e. how far would you have to go actually on the road?? That's the thing you have to consider; how you'd make that bit of the journey as safe as possible, for example could you have someone there with a torch/hi viz etc??

Horses do get used to us riders taking them out at strange times and once your horse has got used to going at this particular time, I don't see a problem. Horse's won't necessarily see the fact of it being "dark" as a problem tho' - but if yours is spooky you might find he is more so not less!

Also ..... you need to take care of yourself. OK so you might get weirdo's around during the daytime, BUT if you're riding in the hours of darkness and make a habit of always going at the same time/same route, I'd be very VERY carefull indeed. Yes, I know you've got four fast hooves to get you out of trouble, but this won't be any good if your horse has spooked at someone hanging around and you're lying injured somewhere.

Personally, I'd seriously consider perhaps moving to yard with assisted livery or where someone can exercise/horsewalk/lunge yours during the day?
 
I used to do it all the time when I lived in the town and kept my horse in a stable in the back garden of my mums semi. I was done up like a christmas tree and mainly kept to grassed areas to the side of well lit roads and walkways, but the horse was way less spooky at night for some reason. I did it for years no problem keeping my horse fit to team chase etc whilst working 9-5. I now live in the middle of the countryside where it is sadly far too dark to ride at night and I do miss the town for night riding.
 
I was bringing my TB back into work last winter after surgery on a chipped pedal bone. I had no school, but behind the barn was a lovely big field to ride round in. I used to ride him round it in the dark, with a head torch on and bareback, he was no spookier than normal, in fact he probably listened to me more!!
 
Pedantic said:
Jusy because others don't have a sensible animal or the confidence, doesn't necessarily make it any more dangerous than normal.
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LOL! Nothing to do with my horses or my confidence, I just care too much about the risk of an accident to my horse/myself/other road users to do anything so stupid. :rolleyes:

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That looks like a dreadful accident waiting to happen :( :(
 
For years I rode every evening after school in the dark, as the nearby farmer kindly let us use his fields. We never had any problem. However, now my pony is 31 I worry about her eye sight, so go in the early morning instead, when the sun is just coming up. Have even been on the roads then too, as it is so quiet before 7am. Great way to start the day aswell, I'm so chilled out when I get to the office!!
 
If you ride on the road in the dark, please be aware that car headlights can cause tremendous shadows, which some horse would find very spook making. I did hear of a girl killed as a result of this, many years ago. It isn't something I would do, may ride off the road, but never on it after dark.
 
Sorry I can't quoits as on my phone but regarding the picture of the lady and horse in hi viz.... Can I just point out that car headlights coming behind you would light you up from the ground up.... You have very little on your horse, maybe you could add something a bit more substantial on his legs and tail rather than those little bands :-). I don't like riding in the dark.... I did when I was younger, I was lit up with everything possible on a well lit road, only to have an old lady drive straight in to the back of my horse..... She never seen us apparently, although everyone behind and in front of did. My horse suffered a fractured pelvis and I came away with major bruising. My horse came sound after a years box rest and lived for another 17 yrs. Roads are bad enough in the daylight nevermind in the dark.
 
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