Shocked at H+H advice not to wear too much hi-viz

Oh and I always wear a hi viz tabard if I'm riding on my own in field so someone could spot me if I fell off. I do always let someone know too!
 
lannerch said:
Ps I do wear a tabbard myself, and I particularly like the polite ones however I do not see any need to embarrass myself and my horse by dressing us both head to toe in fluorescent pink!
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I agree I hate the pink but would rather wear that than nothing and if bright pink encourages younger riders to wear safety gear than it can't be all bad can it?
 
quirky said:
I'm with lannerch on this, can't really see the point in having more than a tabbard.
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What if you fall off and the horse takes flight?

I don't believe you can't see the value in having something on the horse too quirky. I know you're a sensible one!

Can I put forward this example please?

I went for a hack round the fields with my friend. She had no hi vis on as we weren't even going on the roads. Horse ditched her and ran out on to a very busy road (main one into a city. If you wan't so see the photos I have of my hacking you'll see how potentially horrendous this could have been!)

She should have had some on and so should the bloody horse. He was nearly totalled!
 
lannerch said:
Ps I do wear a tabbard myself, and I particularly like the polite ones however I do not see any need to embarrass myself and my horse by dressing us both head to toe in fluorescent pink!
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So you would rather your horse be 'embarrassed' by having his and your blood splattered all over him when a car hits you?? Unreal!

I have also had the comments of 'Ooo we can't miss you' by fellow riders to which I also reply 'that's kind of the point of hi viz' :rolleyes:
 
For me it is essential that my horse wears hi viz too. I would never forgive myself if we parted company and something happened to her because drivers couldn't see her as I was the only one wearing hi viz.

Riding a big bay people do not mock me when they see both me and my horse in hi viz, some think I am the police so pass extra carefully!
 
Adding my 2p worth to keep the thread going ;)

Faracat said:
I personally like some Hi-viz on me and some on the horse, then if we ever do get parted, we can both be seen.
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This is my approach too. I have reflective strips on my breastplate and 4 reflective boots on my horse, tabbard and hat band on me. If the weather is particularly grotty then we have a yellow exercise sheet. Hopefully she's visible from all angles :cool:
 
lannerch said:
I don't go out riding to fall off.
Don't worry hiviz or no hiviz a motorist would not miss seeing my horse!
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tbf, you live in the arse end of no where in wales.

This is my hacking. You really don't think we should wear hi vis to ride up here

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Christmas tree! Imagine driving across this pair on this day down a country lane with no high vis on or just a grubby tabbard. Probably wouldn't even see them.

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People may say high vis is just for novices but experienced riders bleed and break and die the same as novice riders. When a car breaks suddenly, looses control and skids because they havent seen you untill its too late, it doesnt matter if its a novice on a hairy cob or pippa funnell on an event horse, if your going to get hit, you'll get hit.
 
lannerch said:
The lit up Christmas trees I know are indeed nervous riders good point quirky :)
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Rubbish! YO wears lots of hi-viz and she's the most confident horse woman I know. Nothing scares her. I'm not a nervous rider either, when I'm with a group at least. I must admit I do get a bit nervous when I'm alone, however.
 
lannerch said:
The lit up Christmas trees I know are indeed nervous riders good point quirky :)
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No one has ever accused me of being a nervous rider ;) but I am probably one of those Christmas trees to which you refer... perhaps because the horses I ride are not my own and I would rather be able to say that I'd taken every precaution if I had to explain to the owner why their horse was on the bonnet of a car.

Being a competent non-nervous rider doesn't exempt you from potentially being the victim of an idiot driver.
 
Nah said:
Rubbish! YO wears lots of hi-viz and she's the most confident horse woman I know. Nothing scares her. I'm not a nervous rider either, when I'm with a group at least. I must admit I do get a bit nervous when I'm alone, however.
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Like I said in a previous post around where I am it the 'competition riders' that wear more hi viz.
Maybe someone would like to got the local livery yard where the eventers and dressage riders wear hi viz and tell them they are nervous riders :rolleyes:
 
Firewell said:
Christmas tree! Imagine driving across this pair on this day down a country lane with no high vis on or just a grubby tabbard. Probably wouldn't even see them.

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People may say high vis is just for novices but experienced riders bleed and break and die the same as novice riders. When a car breaks suddenly, looses control and skids because they havent seen you untill its too late, it doesnt matter if its a novice on a hairy cob or pippa funnell on an event horse, if your going to get hit, you'll get hit.
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Think this photo shows it brilliantly, low winter sun, dark horse, take the hi vis off horse and rider and the risk levels increase dramatically.
 
RoSPA's advice on visibility

All riders should wear high visibility (fluorescent and reflective) garments when riding on the road. Fluorescent and reflective ankle bands and stirrup lights are particularly effective in attracting the attention of motorists. If possible, riders should use high visibility garments that conform to BS EN1150, a European Standard for high visibility garments for non-professional use. There is a standard for high visibility garments for professional use, BS EN471, which can also be used.

And the BHS advice

So if you have to ride out on the road, always wear as much hi-viz clothing on both you and your pony as you can, no matter what time of day, what time of year and regardless of what the weather is doing.
 
lannerch said:
Seriously it's over kill you ruin the effect motorists think your a joke and don't slow down!
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But in order to think you're a joke, the motorist will have had to SEE you first. THAT's the aim with all the hi-viz - so you're SEEN. How the motorist reacts when they see you is down to their judgement and training. No amount of hi-viz is going to change a driver's mind if they are already set on driving fast no matter what - but at least if they SEE you first then it's THEIR fault if they hit you. There is nothing you, as a horse rider, can do to stop a car hitting you. It's just about being visible.

I am absolutely aghast that anyone can think that wearing hi-viz is something to be mocked and attributed to "nervous riders". There's nothing wrong with being nervous, and there's nothing wrong with wanting to protect yourself and your precious horse by making yourself visible.
 
quirky said:
I'm with lannerch on this, can't really see the point in having more than a tabbard.

I see the 'lit up like a Christmas tree' hi-vizers as being nervous riders, rightly or wrongly, who want to draw as much attention to themselves as possible as they can't cope with traffic coming past at even a reduced speed.
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That's only your perception though, what proof do you have that its true? Some people do look a bit OTT, but so what? If they don't mind why should you?

I wear a tabard and a hat band (which is great for being seen over all the stupid hedges near me), I usually use bright boots but my current horse won't do boots. I am going to add some bright sleeves to a martingale and maybe put something in his tail so there is something lower down to catch motorists eyes and in case I ever lose him out riding. I think there really is a point to it all and I used to feel a bit embarrassed to put on "too much" hi viz as a lot of people I know didn't used to bother but attitudes are changing and I think that's brilliant. H & H need to catch up IMO.
 
Ceris Comet said:
Thanks quirky for keeping this thread going !
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I wasn't keeping the thread going CC, I was just giving my opinion. May I suggest you wind your neck in ;).

jesstickle said:
What if you fall off and the horse takes flight?

I don't believe you can't see the value in having something on the horse too quirky. I know you're a sensible one!
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Thing is, I never put boots on my horse, so putting things on her legs just isn't in my routine.
Having a hi viz tabbard on doesn't slow some cars, I don't think leg bands will make much difference :(
 
quirky said:
I wasn't keeping the thread going CC, I was just giving my opinion. May I suggest you wind your neck in ;).



Thing is, I never put boots on my horse, so putting things on her legs just isn't in my routine.
Having a hi viz tabbard on doesn't slow some cars, I don't think leg bands will make much difference :(
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Hi vis breastplate? Tail piece? Fluro saddlecloth?There are loads of options out there. It isn't about cumulative effect. It's about what happens if you part company really.
 
I will " wind my neck in " when all riders accept that to save the lives of both them and their ponies they wear as much Hi-viz as it takes to save them from death on the roads. What's your agenda ?
 
I nearly always hack on my own and have at least two miles of road work to get anywhere so I have always worn a tabard, even tho' the roads usually quiet and local farmers are generally very considerate. I've recently added a hat band so I can be seen over the hedges and walls and I believe it has made a difference. In addition the horse has leg bands, hi viz on her reins and stirrup leathers in case we part company - heaven forbid.

I cannot believe that a responsible magazine can allow an article suggesting that you can "too much hi viz"!
 
Cumulative effect though that's not necessary unless of course your riding in low light in which case you really shouldn't be riding on the roads at all.
You can either be seen or not and if wearing a tabbard with or without the trimmings you will be seen!
 
lannerch said:
Cumulative effect though that's not necessary unless of course your riding in low light in which case you really shouldn't be riding on the roads at all.
You can either be seen or not and if wearing a tabbard with or without the trimmings you will be seen!
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And again. What if you part ways?

I am no nervous nelly and the friend I was riding with that day is very competent ( has worked for Andrew Nicholson and Val Gingel as well as several dealers). It happens to the best of us.

I don't believe you have never fallen off. So, what about if you do out hacking one day? You don't mind your horse running home down the road without a single scrap of hi vis on? Really?
 
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