Re: RC: Night Rideing

[Truman Prevatt <tprevatt@mindspring.com>]

First of all horses see extremely well in the dark if they are allowed to
acclimate to it. In fact without artifical light humans can see very well after
about 30 minutes. When I ride in the dark I perfer to not use any external light
- not even a glo stick.  Since I seldom use a breast collar I don't have any
place to hang one anyway and the time I tired one I got motion sickness from the
light moving in fr on the ground in my peripheral vision. I would perfer to
allow the horse to become acclimated to the lighting conditions and be able to
pick his own way down the trail.

I carry a flash light or head light so I can trun it on when needed for short
periods of time. I actually carry two lights in case one goes out or I lose one.
I lost a flash light on my first 100 and was thankful that by accident I had one
in the pocket of my vest. Other than that I just ride on and enjoy the scenery -
the peaceful stillness of the world at night. And there is no greater rush than
cutting through the eerie stillness as your horse gallops down the trail though
the black of night. That's one sensation of my first 100 I'll never forget.

Truman

Colleen Kirkpatirck wrote:

> Hello Ridecampers,
> Last night I rode complettely in the dark for the first time!!
> Now I would think Polaris was going to freak at everything  but he
> seemed to be more focused then usual he even took to the glow bar hanging on
> his headstall very well.I came to think how do you 100 milers do it? Rideing
> the whole  night in the dark.
> I think you have to put alot more trust in to your horse when rideing at
> night.
> If any of you would like to share please do.
> Happy Night Rideing
> Colleen K.