Posted on 5th Nov 2010 @ 12:47 PM

We can't believe how quickly the nights have drawn in!

We love riding our horses out round the lanes, but are well aware of the dangers caused by sharing those lanes with motorists in a hurry. We love the information that the British Horse Society provides about what to do to keep hacking as safely as possible and have provided it below.

Have a look here for all your reflective gear.

'Hi-viz' clothing

When out riding, it is strongly recommended that all riders wear fluorescent/reflective clothing – ‘hi viz’ at all times of day regardless of the prevailing weather conditions, time of year, or time of day. When riding out on the public highway, a hi-viz tabard or jacket will give any driver three additional seconds in which to see you. This may not sound a lot, but if you consider that driving at 30 mph, a driver will travel the length of a full size dressage arena in that time, you can appreciate the additional reaction time that this will allow him, to help him see you and take appropriate action.

There are many types of clothing on the market now and at many different prices, but there is something to suit everyone. Hi-viz sheets for the horse, jackets/tabards for the riders, hi-viz bits to add to the bridle, tail and martingale, plus hat covers and hat bands, dabs for the back of your hands – the list is limitless and there are new products coming onto the market all the time.

Prices are varied from a couple of pounds for a simple tabard from a builders merchant, or from the supermarket, to whatever you want to pay for a very stylish jacket.

There is no law that states riders must wear this equipment but it is in their very best interests to do so – not just because drivers will see them on the road sooner. Riders can also be seen sooner when riding off-road. Research with the MoD showed that a helicopter can see a rider in hi-viz gear up to half a mile sooner and thus allowing them to avoid over flying riders and we have had many reports that this is happening. Also, in the event that a rider falls from their horse and is injured, wearing hi-viz clothing enables the Air Ambulance or Police helicopter to see the rider lying in countryside.