by Heidi Smith, DVM
Why ride at night? Reasons range from avoiding heat in summer to making time to ride in shorter daylight hours, and from necessity to the sheer pleasure of the peace, quiet and soft scenery of moonlight. As a teenager growing up on a western cattle ranch, I first began night riding as a purely accidental ending to days in which the work riding range outgrew the daylight hours, finding me miles from home at sunset. I soon came to enjoy these peaceful, starlit or moonlit treks across familiar rangeland to get back to the home ranch. As an endurance rider, it seemed a natural step to proceed to 100-mile competition, often finishing in the dark.
Night riding does require some precautions, and it does take some experience to develop night riding skills. I'd like to discuss some precautions and preparations that will make night riding safer and more enjoyable.
When you begin night riding, start with a well-broke, familiar horse. Darkness is not a good time for working green horses or new horses, especially if you are not used to riding in the dark yourself. Trust is an integral part of night riding and the familiarity of a regular mount will help you to concentrate on honing your own directional and visual skills and allow you to relax.
It also pays to stick to trails that both you and your horse have seen in daylight. A familiar route will help to ensure that you do not get lost. If you do get confused, trust your horse; he will know how to get home on a familiar route.
Pick a clear night with a full or near-full moon for your first few night rides and begin before dark so that you gradually acclimate to the decreasing daylight. Unless you must ride through heavy timber, the moonlight is a tremendous light source. I never cease to be amazed at the clarity of scenery on clear, moonlit nights. When you are comfortable in the moonlight, you can gradually work your way into situations with less light.
Carry a flashlight, but do not use it to try to illuminate the trail. Such a light source can cause your horse's pupils to constrict, interfering with his night vision. Reserve your flashlight for brief checks at confusing intersections, and turn it off before you proceed on down the trail.
If you do need a light source on your horse (such as while riding in timber, riding when there is no moon, or when the horse must be visible to other trail users or motorists) glow sticks work very well. These are small chemical lights that are activated by breaking an inner vial inside a tough plastic outer tube to mix the chemicals that produce light. Glow sticks come in many colors, but in my experience, the bright green or yellow ones work best on horseback. If you ride with a breast collar, two or three glow sticks can easily be attached with duct tape; otherwise they can be tied on a thong or twine around your horse's neck just ahead of his withers to dangle in front of his chest. Glow sticks are relatively inexpensive and can be purchased at many surplus, hardware, or sporting goods stores.
It pays to dress for night riding. A helmet is advisable for any cross-country riding; I would strongly recommend one for night riding if you are not already using one. At night one can encounter overhanging limbs as well as facing the usual risks of unplanned dismounts, making helmets even more essential. In many places, temperatures can plummet at night even in summer. I prefer layers to bulky jackets; one can add or subtract clothing for maximal comfort.
A few survival items should be carried in a fanny pack so that they will remain with you in the unfortunate event that you should become separated from your horse. (In fact, this is a good idea in the daylight, too, if you ride alone in isolated areas.) What I carry depends a lot on the time of year and where I am riding. One standard item is a small flashlight such as a Mini-Mag. A light space blanket is a good item to carry. In isolated areas, I carry fire-starting materials; my standard fire kit contains a book of matches, a cigarette lighter, and a few small chunks of candle, all double-wrapped in zip-lock sandwich bags. Even in rainy or snowy conditions, one can build a fire around a lit candle using twigs and leaves until larger material can be sufficiently dried to burn. In summer at times of high fire danger, however, it is far preferable to shelter with a space blanket should the need arise. I usually carry some form of food and drink in my fanny pack; my preference is a granola bar and a pre-packaged juice, but the choice is yours. There is usually also room for a pair of gloves and a stocking cap.
If you ride along any roads, you must consider being visible to motorists. Reflective strips on your helmet and jacket are a good idea. Also consider the safety of your horse should you have the misfortune to become separated; glow sticks on the chest will make him visible from the front, but good additions are reflective strips on your stirrups, cantle, and cheek pieces of your bridle as well as either a glow stick or reflective strip secured to the dock of your horse's tail. You can often find reflective tape in the same stores that sell glow sticks.
With a little bit of preparation and attention to safety, night riding can be a fun and exhilarating experience. It can add to the unity between horse and rider and help to forge you into a close-knit team. While night riding might not be for everybody, it may well be your next adventure in growing together with your horse.
|
|
|---|