Re: Night Riding

[Ramey Peticolas-Stroud <ramey@wvi.com>]

Cynthia Eyler wrote:

> My questions may sound stupid, but they're genuine:
> 
> Is it feasible to ride with a lamp attached to my helmet, and, if so, what
> kinds have you used successfully?

Yes, but...  Your head tends to move about quite a bit when riding.  The
light beam movement is increased the further the distance away from your
head.  So you end up with VERY erratic movements.  If you try to follow
the light with your eyes, the possibility of vertigo is increased, not
to mention the effect of your horse's night vision/attitude.

One alternative is to mount a kool light (also known as a glow stick) on
the breast collar strap that runs between your horse's front legs.  This
part of the horse tends to move about the least and, along with the
non-point light source, is less likely to promote vertigo.  An added
benfit to a low mount is that a showdow will be cast on the far side of
rocks in front of you making them easier to identify from saddle height.

Two other points: snap the light stick (turn it on) BEFORE dark so that
as the sun goes down, the glow stick light comes up.  This prevents
sudden light intensity changes that require eye adaptation.  We call
this a sunset transition.  Also, we use electrical "zip-ties" to attach
glow sticks.  They are cheap and we have never lost a glow stick or
rubbed a horse raw.
 
> Have you used those reflective, velcro straps on your horse's legs?  If so,
> have they caused any problems?

We try not to put anything on our horses that can rub them raw.  For us
that means no leg or tail reflector straps.  Instead we may wear a
reflective vest if we are training/racing on roads.  Also we put
reflective tape on the back of our helmets and on the outsides of our
stirups.  But Please do not put a green/yellow glow stick on the back of
your saddle during endurance events.  Riders behind you will lose their
night vision and cuss a lot (don't ask how we found this out).  If you
need a tail light, they do make red glow sticks.

One other piece of night equipment you should consider is some sort of
eye protection.  If you ride wooded trails at night you might feel that
low-limb before you see it.  

One last thought.  Riding in low light conditions requires a VERY
different style of riding depending on your pace.  It's sort of like the
downhill ski training technique we used to use.  Our coach would make us
ski blindfolded.  We had to FEEL the hill though our edges.  We had the
SENSE the pitch and the bumps ahead through our ski tips.  Depending on
your pace, you have to be much more sensitive AND responsive to the body
signals your horse is sending you.  It takes time so don't get
discouraged at first, just enjoy the stars and watch for low limbs.  

Hope this helps.  Happy Trails.

Ramey and Cynthia Peticolas-Stroud
Cascade Endurance Center
Lyons, Oregon