Riding in the woods - Hi Vis?

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HaffiesRock

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So I am off for a hack for the first time since moving to my new yard. Its a woodland used by walkers, cyclists, riders ect. From what I've been told its one wide path that's shared by all. So I'm going in my hi viz (Tabard, hat band and rein covers) I know for a fact i'm going to be laughed at by the other livery im riding with, but if i'm sharing the woods with others, I want to be seen. There is also a row of farmers fields you can canter through, so again I'd want to be seen if I came off and pony got loose for example.

I know for a fact I am going to have to explain myself to the other livery, but just wondered what others thought? Its purely woodland, no roads at all.

Thanks
 
I would wear it.

Walkers, etc. can easily see you from a distance, which is always useful.

If you do come off you'll be easier to spot :cool:

When the Air Ambulance came for me a few years ago, they thanked me for wearing high viz as it made their job, i.e. the finding me part, so much easier.
 
Handy for dog walkers to be able to see you well in advance so that they can call their dogs to heel.
Sensible option, and you shouldn't have to explain what you choose to wear to anyone.
 
I'd still wear hi vis, it will give other wood users the chance to see you and collect dogs/ small children and slow down if they're on bikes. Don't let what the other liveries say put you off, it's your safety so your decision. :)
 
That sounds like good sense to me. Up here in Scotland, we have huge forests so hi-viz is essential. We've even been looking into telemetry and GPS!

If you come off in the woods, even a few yards from a track, how do they find you otherwise? Just commonsense.
 
I always wear hi vis unless we are in the school. Even when just on the bridle ways. No-one else does - but they are used to me now ;)
 
The thing is when people say things about "why are you wearing it" is that wearing it can only do more good than bad! I don't see why people have a problem with it. It's lightweight and not really a faf to put on so you might as well! It's not like it inhibits your riding in anyway
 
When I came off and broke my leg a few years ago, I got a rollocking from the ambulance crew for not having hi-vis on (was on private farm land and no roads so didn't bother) but they explained how difficult it is to spot fallen riders without, especially in wooded areas so have worn one ever since, regardless of where I am!
 
Thanks all. The other livery is only 20 and I'm constantly explaining why I do things. For example last weekend I was schooling in trot trying to get my fresh pony to relax. All she kept shouting from the sidelines was "just let him canter! He obviously wants too" Then, "let me put some jumps up for you" Me - "No thank you we are schooling in trot and working on relaxing" Livery - "You wimp!, You wont get brave unless you jump!"

Bless her, she's harmless, but hard work! She has a gorgeous, honest little cob that you can do anything with so doesnt really appreciate schooling a knobber!

I will be in my hi viz today. May even put pony's leg strips on :p

Thanks all x
 
Bringing an aged mare back in to work I walk alongside in hi vis tabard & hat band & mare has hi vis sheet, neckstrap & rider has tabard.
Comments of "they'll see you coming "are answered with "that's the idea!"

I have flashing hi vis for my own fields at night -If I have an accident I want to be found.
 
Woods are dark and dingy. We lost a colleague for about half hour when I worked at a paintball site. He was knocked out in a bush and the only thing we noticed when out looking was a coloured teatowel we used to clean guns in the field tucked in his belt loops. Hi viz is so simple to put on and so worthwhile. She also sounds like the kind of pain I wouldn't want to hack with anyway!
 
I always wear hi-viz to hack in woods - for all the reasons mentioned above ... I don't give a stuff what anyone says ... Brighter the better as far as I'm concerned.. Xx
 
If the path is used by lots of different people then it definately helps them to see you sooner, I never realised one of my friends was less than 15 metres away from me in the woods on her horse last week because she and her horse blended in so well!

If cyclists and dog walkers can see you sooner then it gives them extra time to get dogs under control, slow down on their bikes and give you some space.

Like the others have said it helps people to find you should something go wrong and deffo put some on your horse as well incase you do get seperated then he can still be seen too.
 
Agree with all the above replies. Don't understand people's 'reasons' for NOT wearing hi viz :confused: and personally think more walkers and cyclists should too, wherever they are :)
 
I'd definitely wear it, for the reasons others have stated - it gives people a chance to see you coming, to call their dogs back and it makes it much easier for emergency services to find you (though hopefully they won't need to be called!)
I used to ride out on open moorland every day, never met a car - rarely met anyone else and I could be gone for hours. The only reason I insisted on wearing a hi viz coat & put a hi viz exercise sheet on my horse was so that if the worst happened, I could be easily spotted by an air ambulance - and he could be spotted if he eventually ran out onto the road. Nothing has happened to me up there (yet!!), but has happened to a couple of people I know - better to be safe than sorry imo x
 
I don't see why you can't wear what you like?

Would you also end up having to defend your choice of gear if you rode in jeans not breeches, or in short boots not long boots? Or black tack rather than brown?

What you wear is your choice, and doesn't need to be defended ;) Wear your Hi-Viz and enjoy your ride :D
 
I always wear a hi-viz tabbard with "please pass wide and slow" on the back to hack in the woods. It works a treat - dog-walkers spot you miles ahead and I'm sure most cyclists slow down and are much more cautious when I'm wearing it. I got caught up in the the Wiggle South-Downs rough ride once (100's of mountain bikers :eek: ) and everyone was polite and courteous. I put it down in part to wearing my tabbard. In fact there was another Wiggle ride today but luckily we only crossed paths once on our hack this morning.
 
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