Why does anyone NOT wear Hi-Viz, esp in winter?

[unbalanced]

Sometimes it's hard to thank people, unfortunately. It depends on the type of road you ride on. If you have a country lane with a car every minute or two, of course you would thank them. I have a main road with a continuous flow of traffic. If I hold someone up and can't get out of their way to let them pass me, then I thank them and the couple of people behind them. Otherwise, no, as even to nod thank you would mean riding twisted to the side nodding like an idiot on a major road when I need to be paying attention to cars and my horse. I wear hi-viz and keep in to try and make it easy for drivers and always thank people if I really get in their way, but I just don't think it's possible to safely and sensibly thank everyone who slows down for you, sorry Merry Crisis.

 

[monkeybum13]

If you don't like these threads, don't open them?

 

[pinkypug1]

Havent these "hi viz" threads not been done to death on this forum? Yes it is sensible to wear it, but all of us still live in a free world where we can make our own judgements without some lemony, meely mouthed forum member reminding us of resposibilities to ourselves, our horses and the general public. I dont live by health and safety, I use my own common sense and I dont need to be indoctrinated by the lemony mouth brigade with nothing more interesting to post about. Thank you.

Ive seen a few posts recently that you have commented on in this ignorant fashion... if you dont want to join in the convo & the topic of the post does not intrest you then stay away & say nothing... its unfair to the thread starter to make comments like this imo!!

 

[Smogul]

i'm fairly good with hi-viz i have a hi-vixz bomber jacket, which is the best thing that i have ever got i always wear it in the winter when it is colder and also on wet and misserable summer days although i am guilty of not wearing it in the really nice wweather but then there is a lot less risk of not being seen and i am on a skewbald horse (alot of white)!!!!

Not true - watched OH in cream jods and white t-shirt, riding grey horse, disappear as he went beneath trees. Dappled light made him completely invisible and I knew he was there. Since then I have insisted he does not go out without hi-viz.

 

[dollymix]

Sometimes it's hard to thank people, unfortunately. It depends on the type of road you ride on. If you have a country lane with a car every minute or two, of course you would thank them. I have a main road with a continuous flow of traffic. If I hold someone up and can't get out of their way to let them pass me, then I thank them and the couple of people behind them. Otherwise, no, as even to nod thank you would mean riding twisted to the side nodding like an idiot on a major road when I need to be paying attention to cars and my horse. I wear hi-viz and keep in to try and make it easy for drivers and always thank people if I really get in their way, but I just don't think it's possible to safely and sensibly thank everyone who slows down for you, sorry Merry Crisis.

Afraid of being shot down in a cloud of smoke...but this person does haev a point. If you can thank someone, then yes, you should, such as if someone pulls in to let you pass, or gives extra care and attention if a horse is playing up...but at the end of the day the highway code says to pass horses wide and SLOW. If we all thanked each other for doing the right thing when driving we would do nothing but lift our hands off the wheel!

P.s - I wear Hiviz an thank people when I can - if not I always nod and smile!

 

[benson21]

After our accident where we were hit by a car, I was told by the police Officer that it was lucky we were wearing HI Vis. No, it didnt stop us getting hit, but if we were not wearing it, the driver could have said he didnt see us, and got a much lighter sentance. But we were wearing it, and I can live with knowing I done as much as I could to protect our horses whilst on the road.

 

[JustKickOn]

The other day, I had to put my brakes on pretty quick because I couldn't see two girls and their horses. Their yard isn't far from the yard I am at, and they use the same hacking routes as us. I put my window down and did have a polite word about how they couldn't be seen, and they are an accident waiting to happen. They both looked like young teens but seemed to take what I said into account. It only takes two seconds to put a reflective tabard on at the least. It does make a difference (to most people) slowing down and being seen.

 

[Rollin]

Afraid of being shot down in a cloud of smoke...but this person does haev a point. If you can thank someone, then yes, you should, such as if someone pulls in to let you pass, or gives extra care and attention if a horse is playing up...but at the end of the day the highway code says to pass horses wide and SLOW. If we all thanked each other for doing the right thing when driving we would do nothing but lift our hands off the wheel!

P.s - I wear Hiviz an thank people when I can - if not I always nod and smile!

You are so right. I was sick to death of hearing the complaint that horse riders who did not thank motorists were 'at fault'. I have NEVER had a cyclist thank me for passing him with care!!! If I was riding a young horse or doing ride and lead, or taking care of a child it was not always possible to wave hands and do "How is the baby?". Threatening a vulnerable road user because they don't say thank you for not killing me is an outrage.

I always used hi-viz in the UK and do so in France - I take a lot of young horses out on a lead rein with an oldie. I see by motorist's reaction that hi-viz does make a difference. If you ride on road without it you are foolish in my opinion.

 

[Shantara]

I always thank someone for being a good road user, when I can (99.999% of the time) but sometimes you can't afford to take a hand off the reins. I do shout thanks if I feel they could hear me though.

I NEVER thank anyone for speeding past, or revving an engine, why the hell should I have to? That'd be like saying "Thanks for not actually killing us, even though you gave it a good go"

I do wear hi-viz, lots of it! My colours have turned from red and black, to red, black and yellow hi-viz

 

[Pedantic]

Because they are thick as shitte and don't care about about anyone else or their poor horses.

Enshrine of Tools.

 

[hessy12]

Because they are stupid!

Ar, I was going to say that, you said it for me.
NO EXCUSE not to wear if you are going on the roads. Seemples!

 

[hairycob]

In my experience as a driver I would say about 70 -80% of riders wearing hi viz thank drivers but only 20-30% of riders not wearing hi viz do.

 

[Piglet]

I know lots of people who don't wear Hi Viz, I wear either my hi viz fleece or bomber jacket, most of the people on the yard I am at don't. Their choice, their life, you can take a horse to water but you can't make them drink!!!

 

[mystiandsunny]

I feel like battering them if they dont thank me for slowing down.

Do you also feel like battering every cyclist you come across? I've never yet had a cyclist thank me for slowing down and carefully driving round them - yet for their own safety, that is what I have to do! Just a thought...

I say thank-you of course, with a smile and a nod if I can't take my hands off the reins for safety's sake.

 

[Sunny08]

Do you also feel like battering every cyclist you come across? I've never yet had a cyclist thank me for slowing down and carefully driving round them - yet for their own safety, that is what I have to do! Just a thought...

I say thank-you of course, with a smile and a nod if I can't take my hands off the reins for safety's sake.

As a keen cyclist and horse rider I say thank you in both circumstances, when on my horse the driver puts their hands up, when on my bike I think they think I am a little strange!!

 

[padderpaws]

I must say that as a car driver if I see someone on a horse on the road without hi viz I think " Well if they dont care why should I ?" It is so rude to car drivers especially in fog that they are not wearing it. If I hit them I would be the one to suffer also. How would they feel if I did not put my lights on so they had trouble seeing me in the fog. Bloody minded idiots.

 

[Waltzing Matilda]

I wear high viz and lights on myself AND my horse in winter months and bad weather, but still high viz.in summer. U can actually hear the cars slowing down sooner. People always comment 'well u can't miss u, can u?!' I smile.and politely say 'that's the point!'. As a driver I find it very frustrating when I see riders out with no high viz on. Because u rarely c them till the.last minute!! I always move over where possible or trot to safe place to.let people past and try and thank people with a nod or raise my hand, but I won't if u get to close to my horses backside or rev and take my.leg off as they speed by!!!!

 

[dressagelove]

To be very honest, I rarely wear hi-viz... I dont really know why, perhaps cos often my hacks follow on from a schooling session and I'll just whip round the block for a cool down. My road is very wide and very open, and whenever I drive down it, I can see horse riders a mile off, even minus hi-viz. Again its my choice, whether you think its the right one or not...

The comments for cyclists never thanking people is extremely valid. Cyclists are often a law unto themselves, and when they get hurt, its always the drivers that suffer. Some horse riders and some drivers are very courteous, and I dont understand why this should be made such a big deal of. You shout 'common sense' for those that wear hi-viz? Well I say 'common sense' for people that drive appropriately, are aware of their surroundings anyway, riders who ride with care and thank where necessary. I refuse to thanks every person who overtakes me, esp on one of my two sharp TB's, its riskier to take my hands off the reins. And how am I supposed to smile and nod at those cars behind me??

If you are riding a twilight / dark / narrow roads / overgrown roads, then yes ho-viz should probably def be worn...

Going to get my tin hat now

 

[kiteman0]

I wear high viz in the summer and winter. We live on a very fast,busy stretch of road.
Last Sunday my son hacked out with me for his first time and he too wore high viz and 2 separate people stopped and said well done for standing out so well.
I would hate a car not to see us especially now my son is riding out with me and for an accident to happen.

No highviz no road work!!!

 

[Quantock-cob]

Well round here most people do wear hi-viz...except the Hunt. When I was walking my dogs last night at around 4pm it was very misty and starting to get dark and I met 2 riders returning form a days hunting both dressed in dark jackets on dark horses and it was very hard to see them (this was on a busy 60mph road). I know that hunting etiquette will stupidly not allow you to wear any hi-viz, but surely a hat band or leg straps would not cause too much offence?

 

[monkeybum13]

Well round here most people do wear hi-viz...except the Hunt. When I was walking my dogs last night at around 4pm it was very misty and starting to get dark and I met 2 riders returning form a days hunting both dressed in dark jackets on dark horses and it was very hard to see them (this was on a busy 60mph road). I know that hunting etiquette will stupidly not allow you to wear any hi-viz, but surely a hat band or leg straps would not cause too much offence?

Were they hacking back from hunting? They could have kept a hi viz bib or something folded in the coat pocket and popped it on to hack home, I know a lot of people do this.