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Re: [RC] Tevis and headlamps Courtesy reminder - heidiA lot of people (myself included) don't use any lights while riding at night, no matter how dark. It can be very distracting to the rider, and even more so to the horse, who can see just fine at night. If you do want to use a headlamp or light while on the trail, remember it is important to ask the riders you are with if they mind you using it. If you are going faster than others, and have a light on as you approach other riders, you might want to consider turning it off until you pass. If you are being passed, and have a light going, you might turn it off until the faster riders go on ahead. But bring that head lamp with you! You don't know the meaning of the word frustrating until you try and put an easy boot on in the pitch black of night. Unless you have three hands, the headlamp slips right on your helmet and leaves you both your hands to make your tack repair. I have a new one that used tiny little LED lamps that puts out a nice beam of light, but is very small and light. Keep it on your body, not in the saddlebag, because if you get separated from your horse at night, (it happens!) it is nice to be able to see where the trail goes. I've been meaning to chime in on this topic as well, and have been short of time. Nick hit the nail on the head here--as many riders have stated, DON'T use a directed light of ANY kind for going down the trail--at most, use a glow stick on the breast collar (or I tie one on a string and let it hang just at the "V" of my horse's chest since I don't use a breast collar). But as Nick has added here, DO carry a light of some kind with you! My husband has all sorts of nifty little head lamps, and they do have the advantage of leaving your hands free. I've always carried a minimag. But LEAVE the durn thing in your pocket unless you have a specific need--such as reading a map, or repairing tack, or putting on an easyboot, or whatever. I have occasionally turned one on while STOPPED to check an intersection for markings. But then it gets turned OFF again and our eyes given a chance to aclimate once again to the dark before we set off at any speed. Heidi =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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