Horse riding in Adelaide at night is perfectly safe if you, as a horse owner, are familiar with your horse's capabilities and take certain precautions regarding your horse's low light vision. If you have absolute trust on your horse's low bright vision, here are some minimum precautions you need to take for horseback riding in the dark:
• Riding your horse on highways at night can be risky, so it vital to take heed of other people and vehicles on the road. Although your eyes might be adjusted to the dark and you have visibility clear, it is always safe to assume that the motorists on the road have not anticipated your presence and are not expecting a horseback rider, especially in the evening.
• It is essential to allow the horse's eyes to get used to the low light in the evening. It is wise to start slow with no sudden movements or jumping. As a horse rider, it is always important to do your fast or more demanding horseback exercises on weekend evenings to get accustomed to your horse's and your capabilities.
• It is easier for horses and people to deal with a steady source of low light than a sudden change in light intensity in the dark. It gets difficult for you and your horse to know where you are headed if there is a constant interference of high-intensity lights or shadows in the blind spot of the horse. Maintain a route that has fewer chances of sudden spotlights or shadows to be safe.
• Although not the best option, it can be handy to carry a flashlight while you horseback ride at night. The flashlight can startle the horse, but if you point it at the ground, it can help improve visibility for your horse and you. Adjusting to the relative darkness in the surroundings, your horse can be startled by the flashlight but will cope with the light if you do not make any sudden movements with the light.
• To improve your chances of being seen by motorists, you can choose to wear reflective vests and opt for glow sticks attached to the saddle of breast-collar of the horse. Although drivers do not anticipate the presence of a horse rider at night, glow sticks can last for hours and help you be spotted in the dark, reducing the risk factor for night horseback riding.
• When riding in the dark, it is best to stick to known trials. Exploring new territory is not recommended as it increases the risks. Stay in the open where lighting is best, and forest trails are best avoided for the decreased visibility. You can always ask someone to accompany you to have an extra set of eyes on the road, increasing the security in poor lighting. Follow the rules for group riding, and it is best not to push your horse beyond its limits.
Horseback riding in the dark is a matter of adventure and has a significant amount of risk. Proper precautions and attention will keep you safe, and you can enjoy a fun ride in the evening without putting the motorists on-road or yourself and your horse at risk.
