why do they do it? (hi vis)

ester

ester

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I just don't get it :confused:

I have just been out in the car going a different way to usual, coming along one road I came across 2 separate groups of riders, one group 3 brown ponies, all riders in dark clothing, one group one rider on a bay, black t-shirt. I know thats not unusual but on said road a horse lots its life and its rider ended up in hospital last september, was well advertised in area, an awareness walk done etc etc. If an incident such as this doesn't make people wear hi-vis I really don't know what will :(. I know its sunny but we all know that brings its own problems with glare and shadow. I just can't fathom out how these peoples minds work. :( :(
 
Bright sunshine is just as dangerous, if not moer than other conditions.

I teach R&RS at PC and I say to the kids, OK it may not be cool to wear Hi VIz but surely better uncool than stone cold dead.
 
I do think anyone on a road be it horse rider, cyclist or runner should have to wear one tbh.

iirc I don't think the driver in the above incident was completely blameless but I don't think the rider was wearing any hi vis either.
 
A few years ago I used to ride out on busy roads without any high viz, and probably wore some dark clothing. Even though I had lessons every week I was not educated about the importance of it, luckily nothing ever bad came of it.

Now I realize how incredibly STUPID I was, and NEVER go out without high viz on, even if it is just around the fields as we have shooters. Yeah it's hot but surely it isn't going to do them any harm to wear a lightweight tabard and some high viz leg straps for their horses???
 
I just don’t get it either! To me putting Hi Vis on, is just part of the routine of putting on my hat and boots to go hacking.

Unfortunately some people round here don’t think it’s ‘cool’ to wear Hi Vis, unbelievable! :eek:
 
And it is SO cool to wear hiviz, maybe the idea for the new godiva should be naked - with hi viz!!! to make hi viz - coool!!!! :p
 
Kitsune said:
And it is SO cool to wear hiviz, maybe the idea for the new godiva should be naked - with hi viz!!! to make hi viz - coool!!!! :p
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you first then kitty :) ;)

my yellow hat goes everywhere, can't really be bothered to take it off, it will be on my head in my sig pic even though we are on the middle of a beach :rolleyes:
 
When i did alot of hacking on road, the minium I EVER had on was my hat silk with Hi Viz pom pom & band on it, my tapard and bands on my horses legs, much prefered having an exercise sheet as well if possible.

I'd rather look slightly 'silly' to my friends than of had to have them recieve invites to my funeral/deal with me when i was distraught over losing a horse!
 
thanks for that image of a sat afternoon, suggest you don't show what you just wrote to any of your colleagues :D :D :D
 
PMSL, neon nipple tassels!

I don't get it either - took grey_eventer out hacking this week and we were doing a road block, I made her put Hi Viz on and she was indignant LOL, what if someone saw her! I pointed out that she should just say *at least I have a higher chance of not being killed, dead is never a good look* - at 16 it took some persuasion but I also pointed out to her that when she starts to drive she will suddenly realise how stupid it is to ride on the roads without it.
 
I thought that all riders in the UK have to wear hi viz while hacking. When we were with our friends in Northumberland last year, all riders wore hi viz on their horses, and Clive told me, that they have to ...

In Germany all livery mates always laugh at me, when my horse and I both wear hi viz "dustman coming" ...;)
But the street we have to ride along for a short while is very narrow and lots of idiots driving along with squealing tyres, and I want to be seen !!!

How about wearing riding hats in the UK ?
Is it required by law ?
In Germany it is not and most insurances will pay in any case of accident, although the riders won't wear a hat !

PS
Sorry if my orthography is not perfect ... :rolleyes:
 
you must wear a hat on the road if 14 or under, no requirement to wear hi viz though I know some local yard owners have pretty much told clients its compulsory or they will rant at them!

at least 2 of the riders were old enough to drive but I do think once you are driving you can tell why it is a better idea.

1 down ? to go then weezy :D no nipple tassels required I would guess ;) I think I might bring that suggestion up again on odd occasions :p
 
Ladies, you might find you get a bit more attention without the tassels. :)

Seriously though, there is a woman around here, in her forties, who rides other peoples' horses without hat, gloves, or Hi-viz. She's one of those people who knows everything.

The other day she told my wife she'd ridden a horse down the side of the dual carriageway, round the roundabout, and across the golf course. She then crossed a main railway line at a level crossing which is for farm access, and onto the beach. She has to come back the same way.

She is truly off her trolley.

The thing is, she is letting everyone else down by her actions. She's done this for several years now, and every time I see her I shout "where's your Hi-viz?". She just grins all over her silly face and says "Oh I don't bother about things like that", or "Didn't you see me, then?"

I've spoken to her about her apathy and how she's putting the burden of responsibility for her and the horse's life on other road users, but she doesn't give a stuff.

Hi-viz and hats should be required by law. That way fools like her can be held responsible for their own stupidity.
 
I continue to be infuriated by people who don't wear hi viz; I think (rant!!!) that we have to be responsible road users and if wearing hi viz gives out the message that we're serious about road safety, and if that's what we have to do to achieve that, then so be it.

I don't drive fast on country roads, but still encounter people out hacking at dusk, on a bay horse, with a brown jacket on, with the sun behind them, and you just cannot see them.

Having been involved in an accident where someone drove into me because they allegedly "couldn't see" me, I splash on the hi viz now; the more the better! And it certainly makes some motorists stop and look for that little split second, "what the hell's that!!!" kinda thing, which is exactly the effect I want to achieve, coz if they stop and think what the hells that, then hopefully in that split second they've slowed a bit and thought about what a ton of horse could do if it was prancing around, so I've achieved my objective.

I find that professional riders are the very worst - sorry peeps but it could happen to you as well, you're not immune from some lunatic same as the rest of us.
 
I will be honest when I was growing up I never wore hi-vi, because I thought I looked like a beginner but I do not go anywhere without it now, even made my own "Young Horse, Slow Down" tabard.
 
Totally agree thats why most of my running/riding shirts are like this

CopyofPICT0060Medium.jpg


I find it easier than putting on tabards etc... and they are quick dry for when the going gets sticky ;-)

Kev
 
its a regular thing round that area,you wont believe this mind, a person who attended the walk actually went out riding a couple of months later on there horse causing absolute havock on said road, i couldnt believe it. last night i was sat in the pub garden and it was about 10 oclock and two horse went past on the footpath with the riders on foot wearing only tabbard, the horses had tack so were being ridden at some point.
 
I was agast to see a rider on a dark horse on the footpath with NO hi viz on a NOTRIOUS accident blackspot near me recently. I skidded to a halt upon seeing her (path or not, it can still be stressy for horses having traffic go by that quickly!).

I never ride withotu hi viz (and I have a white horse!). And I never ride on the paths. If I'm on the road, it increases people's chances of seeing me as I'm not obscured by shadows, and I'm actually an obsticle!

Grrrr :(
 
One of the girls on our yard has a great hi vis tabard - it reads: Caution! Lady Rider with PMT! :D

I agree - I get so cross when I see riders without and especially without hats - are here no brains to protect?!

Personally, (and sorry H&H) I don't think publications should accept ads of horses for sale where the rider is not wearing a hat. I think it sends out an irresponsible message. I guess people are trying to say 1) how good a rider they are and 2) how well behaved the horse is. Rubbish. Everyone falls off and every horse can fall over.

*here endeth the rant!*

As for nipple tassels, I would hate to get them caught in anything..... I only wear mine to Tesco.
 
Grr makes me angry tbh WHY not add that little extra safety that can save your and your horses life!! not to mention OTHER ROAD USERS LIVES!

WHY give other road users the chance NOT to see you???????
Even greys should wear hi vis IMO as they can be hidden in shadows, I don't care if some people think I look like a prat I would rather my horses look like this...

SDC12025.jpg



Than squashed into the road or someones bonnet!!!

sorry, rant over
 
miss_buffay said:
its a regular thing round that area,you wont believe this mind, a person who attended the walk actually went out riding a couple of months later on there horse causing absolute havock on said road, i couldnt believe it. last night i was sat in the pub garden and it was about 10 oclock and two horse went past on the footpath with the riders on foot wearing only tabbard, the horses had tack so were being ridden at some point.
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I probably would believe it, it bothered me a bit at the time that I suspected not everyone involved always hacked in hi-vis. Its all very well lobbying but riders have to do their bit too.

I have to say mostly round me it has gotten better. The farmer at the local DIY yard went on a rant about not being able to see them and bought loads of hi vis.

However the local pro showing yard, who have the horses/ponies worth the most money round here are dreadful, have never seen them wear anything in any weather, peeing rain and dark enough for cars to have lights on or not, and often it is youngsters riding out for them so imo it should be compulsory for them as employees.

I didn't see someone till the last minute coming back from bworth the other week. It was the morning but it was raining and it was dark.... very dark bay and navy jacket hidden in the hedge, adult rider.

I have considered having a stock in my car and handing them out at opportune moments ;) :D

kitty did google for you but can't find and fluorescent ones so will make you some ;)
 
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