In autumn and winter, it cannot always be avoided that one moves in the dark with his horse. We explain which equipment is indispensable and what else needs to be considered.
Autumn has its own charm: clear, sunny days, leaves shine in gold and red, the leaves have fallen to the ground, rustling with every step… At the same time the hours of sun are steadily decreasing, dusk and darkness break-in earlier. Then as a working man, who usually can only spend time in the evening for his hobby, equestrian sport, cannot enjoy the luxury of a lit space or even a riding arena, must either forego the movement of the horse during the week or into the dark out the car. However, if you pay attention to a few things and get the right equipment, riding in the dark can be very special. Especially on clear moonlit nights you literally get to know the surroundings of the stable in a new light.
No fear of the dark
Incidentally, horses look a lot more relaxed than humans when they go out in the dark. Because horses look good in low light. Tapetum lucidum is the name of the responsible reflective layer in the back of the horse eye. It ensures the incident light passes through the retina twice. This enhances the response of the photoreceptors there. In addition, horses have three times as many receptors as humans, so even a weak light stimulus is better perceived and the contrast between light and dark intensified.
Although horses see well in the dark, it is advisable to get used to the changed circumstances slowly before the first nocturnal rides and first go out at dusk. First, you should familiarize the horse on the usual routes with the additional equipment such as headlamp, reflective ceiling or even the headlights of oncoming cars. If you feel uncomfortable in the dark and you are alarmed at the slightest noise, a night trip with a horse is probably not such a good idea. Horses are sensitive animals and often perceive their rider’s mood faster than they do themselves. The horse can easily be infected by the insecurity of the biped and transformed into a tense fearful rabbit. If horse and rider are restless and tense, the ride not only does not give any real pleasure, it can also be dangerous for humans and animals in such circumstances.
Anyone who wants to or has to go into the countryside in the dark and even participates in traffic must equip themselves accordingly. This is true even for short trips to the tarmac, for example, when you lead the horse from the paddock into the stable and then walk or cross a road. Anyone driving a car knows how bad the view is at dusk. Pedestrians and even large animals such as horses can easily be overlooked. Equipment with reflective safety equipment is therefore mandatory, says Daniela Wolf, “Safety is absolutely paramount. If someone asks me if reflexes are really always necessary, I ask a counter question: ‘Do I always need a helmet when riding – or is it enough if I wear one now and then?’ “Traffic is steadily increasing, and riding routes are mostly in the urban area getting harder and harder to reach. “When I’m on the road and in the field, safety should be in the foreground. And especially in the twilight, in poor visibility through fog or rain or even in the dark one is always dependent on the – timely – reactions of others in their own safety. Everything that draws attention to me and my horse at an early stage is clearly an advantage, “says Wolf.
Equestrian sports retailers now offer a variety of reflective riding equipment, which brings great benefits at low prices. Comprehensive equipment for rider and horse ensures good visibility in oncoming and subsequent traffic, but also from the side. “You can usually do without elaborate technology. The light clothing for rider and horse has proven itself in practice and proven to be practical and functional, “explains Wolf. The range of light articles is now large. Particularly striking because of the large coverage is a reflective blanket, which makes it easier for drivers to perceive the contours of the horse better. It is important that the ceiling is held in a fluorescent neon color and also has reflective stripes.
The fact that the rider should also be equipped with reflective clothing has several reasons: First, it increases the reflective surface, which makes the rider-horse team all the more visible and better. In addition, during a ride, it may well come to situations in which the rider takes down and leads the horse. In such a case, a rider without a vest would be virtually invisible to traffic. Of course, you should also consider the worst case: The horse shoes, makes a sentence on the side, the rider crashes and comes hurt or even unconscious on the road to lie down. The lack of a reflective garment could have fatal consequences in this case.
The horse can be more visible by additional articles. We recommend reflective leggings or goofballs. The headlights of the car illuminate primarily the road, so the area near the ground – the farther away, the closer to the ground is the illuminated area, as the light beam is lowered by about one centimeter per meter. Accordingly, objects on the street level are first illuminated, horseback and rider backs are often detected by the headlights when the vehicle is already very close. Gaiters, however, come faster in the range of the light cone and are thus visible to the driver earlier. In principle, one should buy leggings for all four legs, in case of doubt, but at least the left front and the left hind leg provided with a gaiter. The leg movement of the horse additionally enhances the reflective effect and makes the pair even more alert.
So that the horse is quickly and completely visible to oncoming cars, reflective tapes for bridles and reins, as well as reflective necklaces and ear covers are available. For those who really want to play it safe, tail guards, halter covers and rods in reflective materials also available. Also, individual reflector strips, such as for attachment to arms or legs, are available. Additional boot and stirrup lamps mark the lateral corner points of the rider-horse pair and help motorists to maintain the necessary safety distance when overtaking.