Riding in the fog

[RunToEarth]

Can people please apply a little common sense to the situation when it is thick fog as it was around here this morning?

I saw a horse and rider very nearly get hit this morning in thick fog where you could only see a few feet in front.

The rider was wearing hi viz which, in this weather, does very little to assist you being seen. I know everyone needs to drive with the weather conditions in mind but IMO that would be little consolation when someone drives into the back of your horse. The fog we had this morning is not safe to be riding in, hi viz or no hi viz - please think!

 

[ribbons]

Anyone riding out in fog like this needs their head testing.

Livery owner near me bans it. She says, yes I know its your horse and your life, but you don't ride off my yard in these conditions. Take the rule or leave.
Sensible lady.

 

[glamourpuss]

It's people like this who give horse riders a bad name. Sadly non horsey car drivers will tend to forget about the many sensible, polite horse riders they have come across & what will stick in their head is the imbecile that thought it was fine to ride in fog so thick there has been weather warnings!

That's what I don't understand if there was a weather warning for ice, snow, wind or rain then I doubt this person you encountered would 'risk' hacking out so why is fog ok? [shakes head ]

 

[glamourpuss]

Anyone riding out in fog like this needs their head testing.

Livery owner near me bans it. She says, yes I know its your horse and your life, but you don't ride off my yard in these conditions. Take the rule or leave.
Sensible lady.

She is sensible....but then when I had liveries I also sometimes enforced a few rules. On my yard one of the only rules I had was whenever riding a secure hat must be worn. This created an almighty row with a woman who obviously felt her pikuer headband had some sort of magical protection powers. Her argument was
'Its my life & head so I can take risk'

But as I pointed out if she fell off it would be ME that would have to call her husband to tell him she was being rushed to hospital with a suspected massive head injury......not in my job description thank you!!

 

[paulineh]

I will ride in the fog, But then I do not need to go on any roads at all.

I can go straight into the woods and have nice big tracks to ride on and we can also ride on an all weather track.

I would not ride on the roads though.

 

[glamourpuss]

I will ride in the fog, But then I do not need to go on any roads at all.

I can go straight into the woods and have nice big tracks to ride on and we can also ride on an all weather track.

I would not ride on the roads though.

Well yes, I too hacked out this morning....completely off road. But I think we are all in agreement that anyone hacking on roads would be acting in a stupid manner.

 

[Shysmum]

I can only assume that people who ride out in fog on the roads do not really care that much for their horse. They have a choice, the horse doesn't.

Lady at my last yard rode out in thick fog, grey horse, wearing dark clothing and no hi viz. What can you say ? Nowt.

 

[Emilieu]

I wouldn't ride in the fog myself either but round here fog can come up (down??) pretty quick. Perhaps the lady got caught out rather than not caring? Just a thought.

 

[Shysmum]

No - she left the yard in it. I met her head on coming out of the yard, and didn't see her till she was right there.

But everyone is different.

 

[Emilieu]

Well nuts it is then!

 

[Meems]

I would never ride on the roads in fog, I value mine and my horse's lives too much.

 

[flurryjuno]

I did once by accident...went down to the beach one afternoon when it was bright and sunny and come evening on the way home this thick heavy fog was everywhere. It was horrible, you couldn't see 5ft in front of you. I couldn't get back quick enough!

I would never do it intentionally though, too dangerous.

 

[RunToEarth]

I think there are a certain wave of riders around us who think that Hi Viz is some sort of vehicle proof Kevlar and somehow allows you to ride out safely in fog, snow, dark etc - mad!

 

[L&M]

Agree with above - it doesn't matter how much high viz you wear, common sense is still your best defence......

And no I wouldn't ride on the roads in thick fog.

 

[Matt and Jack]

I will ride in light fog but if I can't see 100m ahead then I won't go out not worth the risk! We are using a field the other side of the village green atm ans had to lead the horses round this morning didn't like that too much bit was very careful

 

[AdorableAlice]

Madness. Two mornings I have not been able to go out, our lanes are quiet but I still would not put the mare or I at risk. Throw it in the field, always another day.

 

[lhotse]

The fog has been very thick here for the last two days. It lifted at about midday today and I toyed with the idea of a hack but the fog can come back down so quickly that it's just not worth the risk. I have a private lane that I could have ridden down this morning but I wouldn't even chance that. Years ago, my sister and myself had hacked to Badminton, once across the A46, the fog descended very thickly but we were then completely offroad. Will never forget that hack, two hours of riding around not being able to see but it was the best fun ever. Luckily, once back across the main road and off the escarpment, the fog cleared and we were able to ride home safely.
I can't believe the amount of drivers this morning that didn't have lights on either, or schoolkids on bikes with no lights!! Some people seem to allow the fog in through their ears!!

 

[Ibblebibble]

i always base my 'to ride or not to ride' decision on how easy my journey to the yard is, if i can't see 20 ft in front my car and find myself wondering where the heck i am on a lane i travel twice a day every day then i know i'd have to be an idiot to ride out, same goes for a winter evening where the sun is so low it blinds you, just not worth the risk IMO

 

[Lambkins]

I passed 2 this morning both with NO hi viz ! Idiots

 

[AmieeT]

I would never risk riding in this weather. I can't believe anybody could have such poor regard for their horses!!

I wear high vis every time I go out, but it's useless in this!!!

Ax

 

[livetoride]

Frustrating day today - was expecting the fog to lift, but it never did.