Riding in the Dark

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claireross

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Seriously considering taking my daughter out on her pony in the evenings. Before you think I'm mad, it would be round a well lit housing estate and both child and pony would have all the right kit.

My daughters pony hates being ridden in the school and will become a nightmare if thats all she does all winter. I would just like to hear of anyone's experiences as its not something I have ever considered before.
 
I have considered it but I have well lit off road cycle paths in my area and I would be lit up like Blackpool Illuminations if I did do it!!!! I have ridden in twilight many times the car drivers look really hacked off with me though!
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I have done it for about 5 years now. Am very lucky though, have a 2 minute ride along a well lit road, and then have miles of off road hacking in Epping forest.

I love going out in the dark. Rarely go out on my own though!
 
Have done it in the past, very early in the morning and lit up like a christmas tree beacuse the horse had a locking patella issue, HAD to be worked every day and we had no manege.

The trouble is motorists don't expect to see you at these odd times, are usually going to or from work and half dazed. TBH they can't deal with something that's different from their everyday routine so their reaction times tend to be even worse than normal. My professional advice would be don't do it unless you've absolutely no other choice.
 
I've done it for years. We go out looking like a christmas tree with lights front & back, reflective & flourescent kit front all round on every bit imaginable and I ride along pitch black country lanes and a couple of fairly roads both before work (6am) and after work (7pm). The best thing I can suggest you doing is get a really good, waterproof & reflective coat & stick one of those flashing tabards over the top (I've got a horsewear one which is great!). Doing that, the lights reflect off the jacket and I've been told that after dark I can be seen up to half a mile away - which is the intention!!!! Also, make sure you have something refelctive over your horses tail & chest as these are both at the right height to reflect car head lights & to be really visiable to car drivers.
 
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The trouble is motorists don't expect to see you at these odd times, are usually going to or from work and half dazed. TBH they can't deal with something that's different from their everyday routine so their reaction times tend to be even worse than normal. My professional advice would be don't do it unless you've absolutely no other choice.

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Echo this - from a drivers point of view people are not expecting to see horses in the dark and don't find it easy to deal with. Its not so bad while everything is going well, but what about if the pony spooks or there is a problem? It's so dangerous - I personally would not risk it.
 
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The trouble is motorists don't expect to see you at these odd times, are usually going to or from work and half dazed. TBH they can't deal with something that's different from their everyday routine so their reaction times tend to be even worse than normal. My professional advice would be don't do it unless you've absolutely no other choice.

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That's my point exactly. The fact that you can see, doesn't mean that other road users will see you or expect to see you, no matter how much hi viz gear you are wearing.
 
i use to very dangerousely ride up a dark lane that lasted for about a mile and then come onto a housing estate that is very well lit and i had no problems.and that was on a nutter of a horse!just make sure in the depths of winter that it isn't icey as your horse might slip,(common sence really.)lol.ok?good.
 
Used to go out point to point training in the winter evenings with fluerescent exercise sheet all round the forest! Call me mad but he had to be fit.....
 
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