Hi Viz for Horse Riders

There will always be risks when taking your horse out, especially when you ride on roads with traffic. Whether you ride on the quiet countryside or rural paths with eventual traffic, or your route involves riding on the side of the road or crossing it, the stakes are always high, and it’s essential to take as much precaution as possible to prevent accidents.

Whether you are giving your trusty cob, or fancy competition horse a break from the arena for a hack or trail ride, it should be a pleasant experience for you and your horse. However, it’s important to remember that even the bravest horses can be spooked out of the blue by the most insignificant objects (we have all been there) when they want to draw your attention, or they see or hear something of which they are genuinely afraid. And it’s important to remember that no matter how relaxed you feel, open roads are full of potentially scary things to horses, particularly motor vehicles and the people driving the motor vehicles, along with other things that make sudden loud noises.

One of the most important things riders can do to minimise the risk of accidents is to improve their and their horse’s visibility, making drivers aware of you in advance so they can hopefully proceed and pass you with caution. Horses have excellent night vision, but unfortunately, they don’t have road lights and, when it starts to be dark, drivers find it more difficult to spot horses from a safe distance, giving them enough room for the vehicle to stop in case of an emergency. Using hi-viz for horse riders and improving horses' visibility helps drivers slow down to pass by or brake with more anticipation when needed.

It's important to spread the word among equestrians about the importance of wearing high-visibility riding wear, such as hi viz horse riding gloves, vests, gilets, coats, etc, especially when daylight starts to go.                  

Many equestrian associations and ruling governments, including The British Horse Association (BHS), recommend wearing reflective riding wear such as hi viz for horse riders as well as other options such as LED lights regardless of if they are riding on or offroad, the time of the day, weather conditions, or the season. These recommendations also apply to carriage drivers. The BHS also refers to Rule 51 of the Highway Code, which states: “At night. It is safer not to ride on the road at night or in poor visibility, but if you do, make sure you wear reflective clothing, and your horse has reflective bands above the fetlock joints.”

The BHS also mentions another interesting fact that leads to reflection: in case of an accident on open roads or offroad, wearing horse rider hi viz equipment can even help emergency services coming by land or air to spot accident victims sooner, perhaps half a mile earlier, according to research made by the Ministry of Defence. In this scenario, it should be added that the chances of finding an injured horse or person in the dark are almost zero without proper horse riding hi-viz clothes.

Also, when riding outside, it’s ideal not to go alone; in case of a fall, it’s essential to be with someone who can assist you and, after ensuring you are well, help you fetch your horse or alert the authorities. Few things are more distressing than seeing your horse bolt when you are not in an enclosed yard.

Hi Viz Horse Riding Coats, Jackets, Gilets & Gloves

At Discount Equestrian, we are a team of horse-passionate people; we always stand for horses' and riders' well-being and safety. That’s why we are sharing these tips with you, and we work hard to find the best horse rider hi viz products from top brands, such as Equetech, Hirzl, HY, LeMieux, Premier Equine, Rhinegold, and Tredstep Ireland.

Equestrian product manufacturers know the importance of being seen and make all kinds of horse riding hi viz clothes for all seasons. For example, there are fantastic and comfortable waterproof reflective items like children’s hi viz riding jackets and super cool hi viz horse riding tabards with visible inscriptions with gentle warning messages for drivers to create empathy and awareness. There are endless possibilities in the horse rider hi viz world, you can really mix it up and get creative with mixing both your hi visibility riding wear as well as your hi viz horse wear equipment.

Below, you will find a glimpse of the most amazing hi viz clothing products we have in our collection:

As possibly the most popular equestrian hi vis clothing brands out there, the Polite Inverno Reversible Jacket is just one of the many products available from Equisafety® “You won’t go unnoticed with this versatile hi viz horse riding jacket. This reversible hi viz jacket has a fully reflective, fluorescent side with an inscription on the back that reads “POLITE NOTICE PLEASE SLOW DOWN”. When you flip the jacket over, a sober, black matt satin quilted jacket appears. The fluorescent side of this high-quality riding jacket is made of a 100% waterproof material with taped seams and a DWR treatment. Besides, this the jacket is lightweight and highly breathable to keep you warm and dry.This amazing product is unisex, which is excellent if you are looking for a super high-quality ladies hi viz riding jacket.”

HyVIZ® Silva Reflective Gilet – “This amazing highly reflective gilet is made of an innovative ultra-light, windproof, and breathable material. The hi viz horse riding gilet looks like a standard, beautiful light grey that looks like regular fabric; however, when it's hit by a strong like, like the one produced by a vehicle’s headlights, the colour changes to a shiny and extremely visible white. This hi viz horse riding gilet also has two front pockets and a back one so that you can always carry your phone in case of emergency.”

WeatherBeeta® Child’s Reflective Lightweight Waterproof Vest – “This hi viz horse riding vest is lightweight, waterproof, and breathable, making it an excellent choice to keep your kids warm in all weather. This technical hi viz horse riding vest is made from fully lined with a polyester mesh fabric. It features a 2-way central zip with a reflective puller, a storm flap for better water insolation, and practical zipped hand pockets. The inner collar has a fleece lining for additional warmth and comfort. The stylish reflective tape design on both front and back provides enhanced visibility.”

If you have any questions about these fabulous products or need advice about what high-visibility product best adapts to your riding habits, feel free to contact our friendly Discount Equestrian expert team. We are always happy to help!

Also, don’t forget to take a look at other essential safety products, such as our high-quality Riding Hats & Helmets and Body Protectors. Also, check out our extensive Tights, Leggings & Skins collection to combine them with your colourful hi-viz accessories.