As we move into the Fall and Winter seasons, the days are getting shorter, which means our “after work” hours are mostly dark. This puts a serious damper on our riding and horse care time; pressing into the available daylight hours to ride and do barn chores.
The great thing about the Central Coast, though, is that even when the days get shorter, the weather is still fantastic. The creative equestrian can extend the daylight hours by utilizing night lights for riding and getting those all-important horsey chores done after dark.
2021 new CA Law requires riders to wear reflective gear when riding by a road at dusk or in darkness. Click this > Bill Text link read full context of law.
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Night Lights for Barn Chores
Get your barn chores done using a hands-free head lamp. The LE LED Headlamp has four adjustable settings (plus a red flashing mode) to allow you to customize the amount of light you need in the barn, at the trailer, or out on the trail. You can even pivot the light to shine right where you need it most. The adjustable, and comfortable, head band keeps the light in place on your head, hat or helmet. Best of all, it’s a killer fashion statement!
Night Lights: Reflective Wear to Be Seen In
Do you ever ride along a road or trail at dusk or at night and wonder whether people in cars, on bicycles or even on foot can see you? You will be sure to be seen with reflective gear. Wearing reflective gear is now the law in CA.
Here’s a practical and relatively easy solution to keep yourself visible and safe when you’re out on the trail and riding along the road. Check out these reflective breeches Horze Reflective Fleece-lined Breeches. You’ll stay warm and show up when lighting isn’t ideal.
Top off the reflective breeches with Equi-Factor Reflective Safety Vest. It’s a high performance, high visibility, reflective vest that is breathable, adjustable, stylish and lightweight. Designed for use on every ride in all seasons, this vest features an inside pocket, reflective strips, zip fastening, and a printed back.
Night Lights: Reflective Gear for Your Horse
The horse is actually more at eye level to a car driver than you are as a rider, so reflective gear on your horse makes a lot of sense. Keep your horse visible to traffic and other light sources – even the moonlight will illuminate reflective surfaces. Be sure your horse is seen first with Safe Riders Gear Leg Bands .
Don’t assume that the shorter days mean less time at the barn or in the saddle. The darkness doesn’t have to steal your horsey-time, and it doesn’t even have to put a serious damper on your workout or training routines. Get yourself some portable light sources and some great reflective gear, and make the Fall and Winter season your best yet!
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Get going! Looking for trails to ride in SLO County? This hotsheet will get you going on a few of the top rides. Get this delivered to your e-mail and join the SLO Horse News herd to stay up-to-date on herd happenings. Click here > SLO County Trails Hot Sheet to get going!
