In the dark, wet winter months more care is required to ensure you, your horse and everyone else is safe. As horse riders, we are extra aware of the upcoming winter season. Especially those who pursue their favourite hobby outdoors. It can also happen that you find yourself out on the roads with your horse trying to get back to the stables before darkness falls after training at your local riding centre. It is super important that you and your horse stay visible from all angles. This blog will ensure that you're able to be seen with your horse on the road.
To be safe, be seen with ‘’hi-vis’’
To make you and your horse visible, not only in the dark but also in weather conditions which offer poor visibility, you should use items which will catch the eye of drivers and passers-by. Only wearing fluorescent material is not enough to be seen in the dark. Fluorescent clothing needs UV rays to be reflective. It’s the reflective piping or tape that reflects headlights allowing the wearer to be seen. Reflective tape is more commonly seen as a grey silver tape. When a light source -like the headlights of a car - strikes the tape it is reflected back and the tape appears to light up.
It's a stay-safe colour
Reflective wear is a must when riding in the dark. When you are wearing reflective gear, you will quickly attract the attention of other road users and avoid dangerous situations. You should wear at least a reflective vest and your horse should have at least a reflective rug. But there are a few more reflective items to wear. The following reflective wear will help to increase your visibility.
Reflective wear for riders
•The
reflective vest Epplejeck is an easily adjustable, one size fits all, reflective vest with crossed shoulder straps to ensure the vest stays in place. The vest can be fastened with a clip. Available in yellow and orange.
•The
reflective vest BR with led is a reflective vest with LED lighting so you will be visible from afar. The vest has a Velcro fastener and the LED lights work on batteries. Also available in kids size.
•The reflective vest QHP is a zipped vest with reflective stripes on the shoulder and chest. The text "please slow down" is written on the back of this vest.
Reflective wear for horses
•The
tendon boots Harry’s Horse reflective and
wraps Harry’s Horse reflective are fluorescent yellow leg boots with reflective stripes and faux fur lining. When your horse wears the tendon boots or wraps on all 4 legs, together with the eye-catching
bell boots Harry’s Horse reflective, they look fantastic and best of all, the movement of the legs really catches the driver’s eye.
When riding in weather conditions which offer poor visibility it is important to improve your visibility. So even if you take a short ride to the arena next door, you should never underestimate the importance of visibility!