What do you have to look out for when using reflective items?
Safety first. We will give you general tips on how to get you and your horse safely through the dark and explain by which quality features you can recognise good reflective gear.
We have now learned how important sufficient lighting is for horse and rider in the dark and in difficult visibility conditions. Now it is time to memorise the basic rules for a safe ride in the dark and the correct use of reflective items.
6 Tips to get through the darker months safely
1. It is not for beginners
Riding or leading a horse in challenging visibility conditions should be reserved for experienced riders. Beginners and people who already feel uncomfortable in the dark without a horse (e.g. due to night blindness) should avoid riding in the dark.
2. Habits
If your horse has never been exercised in the dark, accustom it carefully to the unfamiliar circumstances. Horses have a better sense of orientation at night than humans, but sensory stimuli, which seem stronger in the dark anyway, are perceived more intensively. A rustling in the bushes, the cone of light of an approaching car, a passing cyclist? All of these things, which are accepted calmly by the horse during the day, can trigger the instinct to flee in the dark. The use of lighting should also be practiced, especially flashing lights that are perceived in the corner of the eye can be frightening for a horse.
3. Stick to the rules
Adhere to the rules of the road and always observe the requirements for minimum lighting for both horse and rider. Make sure that you do not blind other road users with your lights.
4. Safety for rider and horse
Equip not only yourself but also your horse with reflective elements. This is important in case you do not appear as one in traffic, e.g. if you have to dismount or fall off your horse.
5. Visibility from head to hoof
In the dark it is a challenge to see contours accurately. Make it easy for other road users and try to visualise the dimensions of you and your horse with the help of suitable illuminated items. For example, a riding hat lamp marks the highest point and reflective boots the lowest point, a reflective bridle cover and tail bandage mark the length of the rider-horse pair. Also remember to make the width easily visible, this is best done with boot lights or lights attached to the stirrups.
6. Keep them clean and shiny
Always keep the reflective items clean. Lamps or reflective elements are no use if they cannot develop their full brightness due to heavy dirt. When cleaning your reflective equipment, always remember to check battery or rechargeable battery-operated products regularly to keep in good working condition and to recharge them.
How can I recognise good reflective products?
Good illuminants and reflective items can be recognised by the fact that they can be seen from a distance.
For electric lamps:
- long duration of light
- for rechargeable batteries: fast charging time
- different brightness levels or flashing function
- easy to attach
- good luminosity
Good reference points for assessing the luminosity of lamps are the units lux and lumens.
Lumen indicates the amount of light emitted by the lamp, which is more relevant for being seen. A recommended value for an LED that is intended to contribute to visibility is between 50 and 500 lumens. If you want not only to be seen but also to illuminate the path yourself, lux is the more important unit, indicating the intensity of illumination on a surface. The higher the value, the greater the visibility.
Reflective and fluorescent riding gear:
- High proportion of reflective/fluorescent elements
- Very good reflectivity
- High-visibility vest are certified with the DIN standard EN20471
Are you unsure whether the reflective items you have bought are really visible in the dark?
Do the smartphone test. Turn on the flash and take a photo of the product. Is the light reflected strongly in the photo? If yes, this is also the case when visibility is poor!
