Rules of the road!
Road safety is imperative, even more so during the winter months where light is minimal and the roads can often be slippery.
With wet fields and icy bridleways lots of equestrians have no choice but to ride on the roads in winter months, increased road work can not only pose the obvious risk of the dangers of traffic, it can also increase impact on your horse’s tendons and muscles due to the unforgiving surface, particularly in icy conditions. The ArcEquine helps your horse recover from microtears, bruising and inflammation by introducing low level microcurrents that boost the bodies natural repair system. Wearing the ArcEquine regularly after exercise can keep your horse in top condition to help prevent injury.
It’s not all doom and gloom, road work can also have benefits like increased fitness levels, improved hoof strength and conditioning, and also an improved bond between yourself and your horse.
A few tips to help you stay safe on the roads this January:
Wear hi-vis: Not only for winter, hi-vis should be worn all year round to ensure you and your horse are seen. Ideally both you and your horse would wear hi-vis, allowing you to be seen from all angles. There are so many affordable options now available with lights, reflective bands and different colours, so there is no excuse not to!
Stay alert: Keep your eyes and ears open, and stay focussed on the road at all times, even if it seems quiet.
Plan ahead: Charge and take your mobile with you for emergencies, and let someone know your plans.
Be sensible: Check the weather and conditions before you go. If it is icy, assess whether it is safe to ride. Ensure you have enough time to complete the ride before it gets dark. If you’re unsure, don’t take the risk.
Be polite: Make sure you treat drivers how you would like to be treated, be considerate and polite. Use appropriate signals where safe to do so, and thank them for driving carefully.
Know the highway code: Familiarise yourself with the highway code – for some of us it’s been a while since we took our driving test.. make sure you are up to date with what is expected of drivers, and yourself as a rider. Vehicles should pass at no more than 10mph and must allow at least 2 meters of space when passing.
Stay safe, stay seen and try to stay on..!