Night riding

[Pete Occhialini <poko@jps.net>]

--
Rancho Occhialini
"Where the fat guy lumbers"


During the night riding on Tevis, I have used glo sticks on my horses.
I don't use them to light the way, because I'm pretty confident in my
horses and their ability to see in the dark.  It also helps that we live
near and are always training on the Tevis trail, so they are familiar
with the terrain and footing. However, I do like to use the Glo sticks
for the riders behind me, so they know where my horse is and hopefully
will not tailgate. It is also rather comforting when you are traveling
those dark canyons to see lights in the distance from other glo sticks
and know you are not alone, even if it's 2 or 3 switchbacks away  The
past few years, it has worked to tie the glo sticks on the horse's tail
at Bath Rd. and head off down the Calif. Loop.  Last year, the horse I
rode has a short, high tail, and the constant motion of the glo stick
proved to be a real irritant to the riders behind me.  I took it off and
fortunately the rider behind me for most of the way kept at least a
horse length behind, so I didn't have to worry.  (Thanks Amber).. I have
trailers on my back shoes and have seen similiar shoes pulled off  other
horses by riders and their mounts too close to the horse in front.
Anyway, on the ride last year, I saw a rider with an iridescent halo she
wrapped around her helmet and it served the same purpose as the glo
sticks.  My husband is doing the Tevis this year, and I would like to
have him wear one of these .  Any ideas where I can pick one up?

Thanks, Karin O.