Riding your horse after dark?

Question

Would it be safe to ride my horse after dark? If its only in the arena I mean..

Answer 1

Ever see the movie "Sea Biscuit" where he takes that midnight ride?  I don't know if it's true but someone told me that if there is even just a little bit of light, like the moon or the stars, that a horse can see just as well as we do in the daytime....

There are groups in my area that do trail rides all the time at night, especially on a full moon.  I think I would like to try it sometime.

I wouldn't recommend jumping though!  Maybe just walk/trot and see how it goes.  And for goodness sake, don't ride alone.

Good luck and have fun!

Answer 2

That's fine. It's good to ride in the dark, you will become a better rider because you will rely on 'feel' and it's also cooler. I like night riding especially when there's a full moon.

Answer 3

Yeah. I think you should be okay. It might not be the SAFEST idea with no arena lights but I think you should be okay. The moonlight will be some light. If you know your horse enough than i think you are okay!!!!!

Answer 4

Your horse can actually see better than you in the dark.  If you don't do anything too complicated, like jumping, you should be fine.  Walk around a few times to make sure you are both comfortable with it and to make sure there aren't any unexpected obstacles there.

Have fun!

Answer 5

no it won't be safe cause you could seriously hurt  yourself I have two horses and I know

Answer 6

Yes but your horse could get spooked so you have to be careful. umm im thinking there could be a rustlin in the bush so it could spook them so you hafta bee a realy good rider to ride in the nite. umm wait im not done yet. Im done

Answer 7

i should be fine as long as your horse isn't a major spoocker

Answer 8

um, yes of course! Why not? Do you have arena lights? That would help, but if not, as long as you and your horse are familiar with the arena, and know there is nothing in there that could be hazardous, etc. it's perfectly safe!

Answer 9

Although I did have one horse that was not a good night rider...but usually horses do very well in the dark.  If you do not have arena lights, perhaps leaving the big doors open would let enough moonlight in for you to see.

Answer 10

It would be safe as long as you don't have a particularly spooky horse.  Your horse will see better than you can in the dark, and on most nights you can see well enough to ride in a ring yourself.

Answer 11

It is fine as long as there are arena lights. It also is helpful to have a horse that doesn't spook at much bc it can be kinda scary for them

Answer 12

yepp

as long as theres some light

horses have better eyesight than people

have fun x

Answer 13

You can easily get some portable lights to use

like these

http://www.justoffbase.co.uk/Halogen-Lam...

I wouldn't ride without lights - too risky.

Answer 14

It's perfectly safe if you're in the arena without lights. Your horse can see better than you can :) But for your sake, well, being human and all, you should have some light... like, what if you fell off and couldn't see?

Try getting some portable lights or lanterns that you can place around. :)

Answer 15

I guess I'm super conservative, no, I never rode at night unless it was a cloudless night, and a bright moon even in an arena.

Where I live we have rattlesnakes, and kids sometimes leave things buried in the sand.... not worth the risk.

Answer 16

yep. Horses can see in the dark even if you cant LOL.

Ive ridden in a big open field in the pitch black, the horses can see where theyre going dont worry.