Wear High Vis - even in the summer...

Spit That Out

Spit That Out

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Don't forget your high vis...it might not be fashionable or a pain in the bum to put on but a rider Wearing luminous and fluorescent items can give vehicle drivers a valuable THREE seconds extra ‘reaction time’ that could save the life of both you and your horse! To put it into context those three seconds are equivalent to a car, driven at 30 mph, traveling the length of a full size dressage arena! :eek:
 
I could not agree more. I think horse riders, push bike riders and motorcyclists should all wear high viz every time they are out.
I do not understand why you wouldn't personally just pop at least a tabard or one of those strap things on, vanity is all I can think, which is sad, I'm a safety girl :D
 
I totally agree -never ride of yard without it - would much rather be seen than be sorry - I love the look of all these lovely horsey fashion clothes and think they look great - now stick to wearing them on my fun rides where the going is safer. Too many loons on the roads. Am planning on getting some Rockrish Riders hi viz polo shirts and t-shirts for the summer.
 
I think the ones who disagree are the more vociferous, also the ones who believe that good riding can save your horse from being hit (I have no idea how this works, but there you go...)
Why someone feels the need to say Oh God no I cannot imagine, but there are those who seem to think that we make the whole of the riding fraternity look bad if we wear hi-viz, it is bey9ond me, but there are those who are too 'cool', to 'experienced' etc etc to need Hi-Viz. I have ridden for many many years and have upgraded my hat, my tack etc. as better safer stuff has arrived. I also have upgraded my visibility. I currently have a jacket and hat band on me, leg wraps and exercise sheet on the mare (both summer and winter weight). I see no reason not to and every reason to.
 
Well YorksG I can't see why anybody would be against it?

I have to say I think it's pretty sloppy to ride on the roads without it. I want to give my horse and myself every possible chance on the roads, hell I even buy new stuff when the old stuff fades!

In fact I am thinking of getting a Rockfish 360 jacket for next winter, they are brighter than my tabard lol!
 
No Persephone me neither, Before the advent of the current Hi-Viz I had a pink puffa with silver threads in it, we had an incident with a driver, which resulted in us reporting him to the police (who at that time didn't wear Hi-Viz as a routine). The policeman was very interested in the fact that we made a point of trying to be as visible as possible. Interestingly the driver was done for driving without due care and attention, I think our efforts to be seen helped the police to make the decision to prosecute.
 
Persephone said:
Well YorksG I can't see why anybody would be against it?

I have to say I think it's pretty sloppy to ride on the roads without it. I want to give my horse and myself every possible chance on the roads, hell I even buy new stuff when the old stuff fades!

In fact I am thinking of getting a Rockfish 360 jacket for next winter, they are brighter than my tabard lol!
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If you wear yellow hi-vis gear against a setting sun you blend in perfectly. Sometimes wearing black makes you stand out better! The RAF realised this years ago and stopped painting their training in hi-vis colour schemes and started painting them black.
 
I wear hi viz all year round, I too go out like a xmas tree in the winter and on dull days, in the sun I do tone it down a bit but still wear plenty, I even have one of the hothatz hat thing for my horse, in the winter I use that and my equi something can't remember name 360 degree surround vision shocking pink excercise sheet, pink back boots, westropp brushing boots/knee boots with yellow fourescent wraps round them, hat band, flourescent whip which my friends thought was histerical to buy for me from Bicton, but I love it, as they knew I would, I have rambo flashing vest which I wear over a pink tabard, and extra flashing lights on the rear of rug

People laugh at me but I don't care, I've had comments off dog walkers who say its good how they can see me far in advance so they can put their dogs on leads in the woods.

With all my stuff on, you can see drivers slowing down ages before they get to us, its also good for mountain bikers in the woods so they see me quicker, I've had lots of comments like, oh didn't see you there ! I just laugh back I don't care.

Think insurance is invalid if you don't wear ANY hi viz so who'll be in trouble then ? when you're splatted on the road, too late then

Oh and I have a hat band, think thats it !

I do think the pink stands out better than yellow, also in the woods if my friend comes she wears yellow blends in with trees whereas pink still stands out
 
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I always use high vis on the roads since almost driving into a woman on a dark bay who was all in dark colours, it was a bright day but she was in the shade of some trees and I genuinely couldn't see her.

The yellow hi-vis possibly does blend in against a setting sun, but the majority of horses are dark coloured so would be seen I would have thought?

I certainly feel safer and more responsible wearing it, if others choose not to then it's up to them :)
 
Why, Why, does Hi Viz come up every month? It must depend on the roads you use, the situations you may come across. I dont wear Hi Viz, and I shall never do so. Please explain to me why we cannot judge for ourselves and take a calculated decision. I have been berated for my lack of Hi Viz in the past. then we get a thread and many admit that they dont wear it. Please we are in a nanny state as it is, just leave us alone, the renagades that dont want to scare the sheep, scare the cattle. IF I ever get run down by some dimwit that can not see a bloody big horse and me AND my dog they should go to bloody spec savers"!
 
pastie2 said:
IF I ever get run down by some dimwit that can not see a bloody big horse and me AND my dog they should go to bloody spec savers"!
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We will be sure to remind the poor sod who hits you and then has to live with the 'guilt' of killing you, of this :) Whilst I agree it's not all down to the rider, what about corners? AFAIK people can't see round bends or through hedges, would that still be their fault?

I wear my tabbard out now in hand, even when just cooling Phil off. AND I'm on a dead straight road, AND it's a quiet road, AND it is clear visibility :p

I thought there was some clause in some insurance policies that meant you had to wear hi viz? Anyway, I'd rather waste 2 seconds putting hi viz gear on than risk getting hit :D
 
Sedgemoor Chaos said:
To put it into context those three seconds are equivalent to a car, driven at 30 mph, traveling the length of a full size dressage arena! :eek:
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Round our way, three seconds is the amount of time it takes most drivers to move their foot from the accelerator to the brake. Old folks and cars eh?

I always wear hi-viz, we even have a couple of 'hats' for the ponies, yellow for my boy and pink for my OH's mare, they have been the cause of more slowdowns, smiles and enquiries than any other safety wear we have. As long as they see me and slow down, drivers can ask 'what are those for?' as many times as they like.
 
pastie2 said:
Why, Why, does Hi Viz come up every month? It must depend on the roads you use, the situations you may come across. I dont wear Hi Viz, and I shall never do so. Please explain to me why we cannot judge for ourselves and take a calculated decision. I have been berated for my lack of Hi Viz in the past. then we get a thread and many admit that they dont wear it. Please we are in a nanny state as it is, just leave us alone, the renagades that dont want to scare the sheep, scare the cattle. IF I ever get run down by some dimwit that can not see a bloody big horse and me AND my dog they should go to bloody spec savers"!
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Yes, it is your choice, no one ever said it was not, so many do not wear it, I see them out riding all the time.
Personally I think people should to make themselves seen. This is not about a nanny state, myself along with others feel strongly about making ourselves seen, simple. We care about other peoples safety, and I think that comes across here. I do not like to hear sad stories about people not being visable, so I make myself visible, as do others.
You feel strongly about not wearing it, so we can agree to disagree, right?
Its all about having an opinion. People will do what they want, we all know that. But what is the harm in having a post about it every month, if that is the case?
 
pastie2 said:
Why, Why, does Hi Viz come up every month? It must depend on the roads you use, the situations you may come across. I dont wear Hi Viz, and I shall never do so. Please explain to me why we cannot judge for ourselves and take a calculated decision. I have been berated for my lack of Hi Viz in the past. then we get a thread and many admit that they dont wear it. Please we are in a nanny state as it is, just leave us alone, the renagades that dont want to scare the sheep, scare the cattle. IF I ever get run down by some dimwit that can not see a bloody big horse and me AND my dog they should go to bloody spec savers"!
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Well, you are just plain stupid.
 
Broken_Arrow said:
If you wear yellow hi-vis gear against a setting sun you blend in perfectly. Sometimes wearing black makes you stand out better! The RAF realised this years ago and stopped painting their training in hi-vis colour schemes and started painting them black.
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My horse is a grey, so we wear pink. I have to admit to being very picky when and where I ride.

I agree the setting sun is very difficult to see anything against.

Where we are I mainly have to ride on urban 30mph roads and tall hedged lanes.
 
Personally I don't see a problem with this subject coming up once a month.

If just one person per month learns the 3 second statistic and decides to act upon it then great.

Pastie just carry on your merry way with your horse. Nobody here cares what you do. You don't need to post on this thread at all. Let's face it you cannot argue that people deciding to wear HiViz is wrong, it's their personal choice to wear it, as it is yours not to.
 
brighteyes said:
Well, you are just plain stupid.
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Oh no brighteyes I am certainly NOT stupid! I live in a very rural area, AND I am able to ride my horse and exercise my dog, as I have complete control of both. If by any chance an idiot driver ran into me I dont think it would make any differance if I stood out like a beacon or not. I just choose not to wear Hi Viz. Its not a crime YET!
 
pastie2 said:
Why, Why, does Hi Viz come up every month? It must depend on the roads you use, the situations you may come across. I dont wear Hi Viz, and I shall never do so. Please explain to me why we cannot judge for ourselves and take a calculated decision. I have been berated for my lack of Hi Viz in the past. then we get a thread and many admit that they dont wear it. Please we are in a nanny state as it is, just leave us alone, the renagades that dont want to scare the sheep, scare the cattle. IF I ever get run down by some dimwit that can not see a bloody big horse and me AND my dog they should go to bloody spec savers"!
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Well........... thats your choice, I hope you never become a casualty for the sake of a little hi viz, you wouldn't even put bands on your horses legs ? anything ? Most people on my yard don't wear hi viz so I know what you mean, it is your choice.....
 
Been done to death ( no pun inteneded) on here, but for those who missed it, basically, all of us who wear it cant ride for peanuts, those that never have or will have an accident because they have a crystal ball bother wearing it as they are brilliant riders and dont need it at all, all stuff and nonsense, just like hats body protectors seat belts CO detectors MOT's trailer checks school crossings speed limits MRSA ect ect ect, I think you can buy an "it'll never happen to me policy" from some Equine insurance companys,.........can we leave it now, getting bored
 
Pedantic said:
Been done to death ( no pun inteneded) on here, but for those who missed it, basically, all of us who wear it cant ride for peanuts, those that never have or will have an accident because they have a crystal ball bother wearing it as they are brilliant riders and dont need it at all, all stuff and nonsense, just like hats body protectors seat belts CO detectors MOT's trailer checks school crossings speed limits MRSA ect ect ect, I think you can buy an "it'll never happen to me policy" from some Equine insurance companys,.........can we leave it now, getting bored
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I was waiting for you input Pedantic!
 
There is one simple solution to low bright sunlight (setting sun) - simply do not ride out in those conditions. A large number of drivers that have hit horses on the roads claim that they where blinded by bright low sunlight. Although this is no excuse avoid those conditions when riding out.

I also recommend that riders wear long sleeved hi-viz jackets as other road users can see your hand signals more clearly.

With so many others wearing Hi-Viz (road workers, postmen etc) motorists almost expect everyone else to be wearing Hi-Viz and without it these days one is at a distinct disadvantage,
 
PeterNatt said:
There is one simple solution to low bright sunlight (setting sun) - simply do not ride out in those conditions. A large number of drivers that have hit horses on the roads claim that they where blinded by bright low sunlight. Although this is no excuse avoid those conditions when riding out.

I also recommend that riders wear long sleeved hi-viz jackets as other road users can see your hand signals more clearly.

With so many others wearing Hi-Viz (road workers, postmen etc) motorists almost expect everyone else to be wearing Hi-Viz and without it these days one is at a distinct disadvantage,
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PeterNatt, we dont all live in conjested areas, please let us have our own judgement on whether we do or dont. Do we really want to protect ourselves in bubblewrap. I personally want to get on my horse and go, I dont wear Hi Viz if I go huntng, sorry but the Hi Viz and health and safety has taken the joy and pleasure awayfrom even blowing your nose!
 
Well I have never used a Hi-Viz handkerchief! However can't say that wearing Hi-Viz has ever reduced my joy of riding! What an odd statement. Also don't ride in congested areas, but I do ride on roads, where there are cars and other motor vehicles, which I would like to be able to see me and the mare.
 
I'm the only one at my yard who wears it for every ride regardless of whether I'm on a road or not - in fact I'm the only one that wears it at all. I have a v-band and a tabard which need replacing soon, as they're getting worn. I get the feeling there may be a snobbery issue underlying it all. Stuff that, I want to be seen ! sm xx
 
I'm new to this whole 'high viz' discussion but it certainly seems the lines are firmly drawn! I wear it when I hack out, not because I am a rubbish rider ( I am a BHSII) but because my mare is non descript bay and can disappear by standing in the paddock under the trees! If I can't see her when I'm looking for her I'm not prepared to just hope some idiot on a rat run will!
 
I live in a very rural area and I drive to work every day on fast but quiet roads. Every day without fail I curse riders (usually cyclists but sometimes riders) because they make NO effort to be visible. They ride steeds (animal or bicycle) and wear clothes that blend into the background. They ride at the edge of the road as well (obviously).
Why wouldn't you make yourself more visible? Sorry, I just don't get it? It's nowt to do with health and safety or bubble wrap and yes I do think that's a whole other issue (ie over the top). You have a responsibilty to other road users, not just yourself. Personally, I'm amazed the highway code doesn't stipulate high vis for those on 4 legs or 2 wheels. They insist on people working on roads wearing it despite all the cones, 30mph limits and warning signs!!
I've always worn high vis on roads, have done since I can remember and that's going back 20 years. That said, I avoid roads anyway because it's dull and you just annoy people in cars. I much prefer off road. I do still wear high vis though as I hack alone and I'd rather be found if I fell off.
So, why bother turning car headlights on when it's misty or visibility is poor???????????!!!!!!!!!!!! Personally I reckon that because I'm such a good driver I don't need to. If someone else doesn't see my car (or hear my stereo) approaching then they shouldn't be driving.
That's a joke by the way but so is not making yourself visible when riding on roads. It's not like that hat debate when it's only your head that's at risk!!
 
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