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Post by Amanda Dolby on Dec 28, 2007 15:02:48 GMT 1
So ( not that I have ridden on roads in the dark for MANY years) So what about cyclists? When I drive I watch the kerb as I was taught to do - particularly in the fog or dark. Always be aware that there may well be pedestrians - ANY where. I manage to see cyclists who have lights and reflective wear and I miss them all! So I should think I would miss a horse too. I don't necessarily drive along waiting to meet a cyclist but am aware there is always a possibility. To add I wouldn't cycle or ride in the dark on the roads by choice. Though that may change, I don't know what the future may hold.
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Post by melissa1787 on Dec 28, 2007 15:25:41 GMT 1
I come across many a cyclist who seems to only have one small light at back of bike. Can hardly see them and am right ontop of them when I do. They should wear hi viz - don't you think?
As for horses on roads in the dark, I personally would not risk it as the car drivers do not expect you to be there. But what is the difference between a cyclist and a horse? Could be a debate starting here?
Melissa1787
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Post by Amanda Dolby on Dec 28, 2007 16:00:16 GMT 1
the cyclist and the horse - possible debate. Why should it be ok to ride a cycle in the dark but not a horse? I think I would like to exclude the spooking from this - horses spook in the day too! I wish all would wear some reflective gear if on the highways - walkers too!
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Vicky&Beenie
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Post by Vicky&Beenie on Dec 28, 2007 16:31:46 GMT 1
i think is u wear plenty of high vis ur ok its sometimes more quite when its dark and not so much to spook at if your horse is good
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Persianhorse
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Post by Persianhorse on Dec 28, 2007 19:12:24 GMT 1
Riding in the dark is one of the ways to get rid of the spook . Night riding gets the spook away.
PH.
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Post by Kim with Rio on Dec 28, 2007 19:36:18 GMT 1
Aaaaah, a subject close to my heart.
I don't have a problem with this - see and be seen. :-) especially as my ned has better eye-sight than I do in the dark.
At my current yard, I either ride in the dark before work or not all all, so I am usually out riding somewhere between 7am and 8am, complete with Hi Viz and lit like a Christmas tree. Am fortunate in that we have village hacking and most roads have street lamps. As I ride out at similar times I quite often see the same people out and about and have noticed that motorists can be far more respectful when there is less light and they see a horse on the road.
Unfortunately a lot of drivers don't expect to see anything else on the roads whatever the time of day or night. And yes, it is a real inconvenience when somebody else is using the road at the same time as they are......
Is it irresponsible to ride in the dark, IMHO no it isn't if you make yourself visible. Both riders and drivers need to be sensible, not selfish.
Live and let live.
K
PS My mum knew nothing of the antics I used to get up to when I was 12! (Am now 41 :-) )
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Post by troop on Dec 28, 2007 21:55:29 GMT 1
im scared to ride on the roads during the day let alone at night the drivers round here are often quite mental its bad enough just walking out my front door with the dogs....
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Post by Ryan&Dizzy on Dec 28, 2007 22:44:40 GMT 1
i must say i almost hit someone out riding the other night they were hi-vized and flashing but i came round the coner on a country lane and the last thing i expected was a horse! when driving at night you know you will see car lights round a corner so i didnt think there would be anything there!
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Post by Ryan&Dizzy on Dec 28, 2007 22:46:28 GMT 1
i think ild sooner ride on roads than bridleways at night.... on a bridleway the orse may be able to see where it was going but i wouldnt have a clue!
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Persianhorse
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Post by Persianhorse on Dec 29, 2007 0:16:03 GMT 1
Please Keep in mind riding in roads is dangerous Night time or Day time I hope you all be careful riding on roads where cars and motorcycles are coming and going. Take care of yourself and your horse too.
Best wishes for you all.
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Post by Amanda Dolby on Dec 29, 2007 11:05:10 GMT 1
Thing is, as a driver on country lanes one should be more aware of other hazards on the road - particularly in the dark. The one that comes to mind round here is the large herds of deer as well as the solitary ones. THese are a real killer and we attempt( 'cause we're not perfect) to be aware. So we find ourselves primarily watching the curb and the road for other humans no matter how they travel or when and then glancing for deer running over fields and hedges toward the road ( not possible at night) they just fly over in front or on top of you. Always be able to stop in the distance you can see - especially on single track roads. At night many drive faster on single track roads relying on car lights of the oncoming cars to warn them of their presence - I think this is a folly - as what about pedestrians, deer, dogs, badgers, broken down vehicles etc?
I believe one should observe the contents/users of the road - you can be aware of lights very easily as they will show in your periferal vision. It is dangerous to assume the road to be clear just because you expect it to be so. That and the speed some folk seem to travel - I am amazed at how many seem to think they have xray vision and telepatic powers and overtake on blind bends etc When someone is driving towards you with main beam on do you look at the lights? - of course not. The idea ( while more than likely cursing and flashing ones own lights) is to look at the curb so as to a)avoid anything that may be there. b) stay on the road c) not to be drawn into the oncoming car.
To sum up - I personally would avoid riding on the roads at night but as a driver I am not selfish enough to expect only cars on the road. Why shouldn't we be able to walk , cycle or ride at night eh? Imagine liviing in Iceland etc where darkness and snow play a large part of the year and it doesn't stop them living their lives to the full and enjoying the outdoors inthe dark. Wow - she quitely climbs off her soap box now realising she has ranted on a bit!
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Persianhorse
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Post by Persianhorse on Dec 29, 2007 16:39:32 GMT 1
Spooky Horses and Young are very dangerous for roads and places which motors are traveling, the Horse must at least be used to those and their sounds like the Engine working , Horne , blowing of a tube and sound of Iron on Iron and totally Sensitized to those sound and effects.
Take care of yourself, PH.
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Post by Amanda Dolby on Dec 29, 2007 19:35:16 GMT 1
Agh Persian horse thanks for your concern for us UK horsey people. When writing I do assume that folks are not taking young horses on roads in the dark alone- God forbid! Thing is this is a small country with not enough open spaces and many live in built up areas. There are far too many cars for the roads and for some reason almost everyone is in a terrible hurry to get from A to B. Even in the more rural areas there is usually the sound of some machinery or aeroplane etc. What would I give to ride to disant horizons without the worry of what may be between me and the horizon - usually a busy road. That and blessed natural quite - that with just nature and no machinery.I would love to come and ride in your country as I assume that you have vast open planes and space
I think we are time sick - no time to even consider others. Very sad.
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Post by Casper on Dec 29, 2007 19:45:34 GMT 1
Interestingly Bobby is far less spooky when ridden in the school at night than in the day. Okay we have floodlights on, but outside of the floodlights is pitch black. Wouldn't hack in the dark - but then again I only hack out on the roads in daylight if I absolutely have to. Much prefer to be off of the roads full stop. (By the way even in broad daylight if we do go on the roads we are hi vizzed to the eyeballs. Get ribbed for it, but couldn't care less, it helps to keep us safe).
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Persianhorse
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Post by Persianhorse on Dec 29, 2007 21:45:32 GMT 1
Dear Casper,
If I where you I would ride Bobby in school but exactly the time when the predators start their HUNT the time which the day light starts to finished and going into the dark these are the periods when the prey are much at danger because the predator start their hunt at this time but no light turned on in the school the only crucial moment is the timing light going towards darkness and into the darkness for a while this will have a great effect on any horse specially those with any amount of spook.
My own experience, While training a horse for Hunting (the huntings we have over here not the ones like Fox hunting) in the training procedure which takes longer than any other kind of training the horse will not spook from anything any more and this kind of training and the horse which comes out of this training positively will never spook from anything anymore and this kind of horse is a changed horse has no fear of anything will not leave her/his rider anywhere if something dangerous happens will never leave the rider alone and he/she will stay with it's rider until the rider is on the horse and ready for the next action , this horse will be there for it's rider all the time in any kind of dangerous situation.
Dear Amanda, I said that so no one would say Persian Horse said ride your young horse into roads with lots of cars specially those horses without any knowledge of cars and motorbike.
Take care of yourself, PH.
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