Riding in the dark

[LaurenBay]

I have hacked in the dark twice. I must admit the unlit country lane which I only needed to use for 3 minutes was terrifying and put me off. Once off the lane it took me to a residential area where everything is really well lit, so I felt quite safe around there. If you do decide to do it then make sure you are light up like a Christmas tree, flashing lights, hi viz and non flashing lights are needed everywhere.

 

[little_critter]

I thought about a head torch but assumed it would be too high and possibly blind drivers coming towards you? (I'm hoping there won't be many mind!)

When rehabbing a horse and going out in the dusk I've used a head torch. Just make sure it's set so it doesn't dazzle (don't look directly at the driver)
However...if you do meet a tit that doesn't look like they've seen you a quick 'flash' in their face can get their attention.
I wouldn't want to rely on just a headtorch because as you say it's too high to be in the drivers line of sight.
Lit leg bands and stirrup lights would be best. If you can attach something to the horses tail even better.

 

[Kat]

If you are going to do it you must show a non-flashing white light to the front and red light to the rear in addition to plenty of reflectives and flashing lights. Hi-viz doesn't work in the dark you need reflectives, like the grey reflectives from le mieux or the long sleeved cycling jackets in silver.

I ride after sunset but not in the pitch dark. I have at least two lights front and back, one flashing and one constant, plus hi-viz & reflective gloves, gilet, exercise sheet, breast plate, horse leg wraps, arm bands and hat band.

 

[flying_high]

I wouldn't. We had two girls round our way who used to ride in the dark, often around rush hour and even wearing every bit of hi-viz going, you didn't see them until far later than you would in daylight. A lot of drivers - many of whom had been very supportive of horses on the road in other conversations - complained on local Facebook groups that no matter how responsibly they were driving they couldn't see them until it was almost too late. It's not just yourself and your horse you're putting in danger, it's other road users. Half a ton+ of horse coming through someone's windscreen is no joke.

You need more than hi-vis - you need bright red LED lights on yourself and the horse, and LED lights on tail, hat, legs, stirrups etc. Properly lit up you are pretty visible.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

Maybe just me then.. but I would.

I wouldn't just have leg lights. You need to be covered in lights and hi vis, the lights are super important and ideally LED. Invest in a head torch front and back (make sure really powerful!) as well as lights on your stirrups and maybe on the horses legs as well as tons of hi-vis (sheet on the horse, hat cover, vest) so it reflects the light. I was in the same situation as you a few years ago, the lanes were super quiet in the dark and my horse was very safe. I'd hack along a lane (20 minutes) into a housing estate which was full of street lights. It was a nice 40 minute loop and done him good I think. I found the cars respected me more in the dark than they did in the daylight.
My old YO joked I looked like a Christmas tree and no one could miss me. She could apparently see me coming from the end of her drive and its quite a way!

My head torch was so bright they could see me from a massive distance away and would already be going slowly (my lights were brighter than most car lights) I'd do it again, providing I was covered in lights and hi-vis