When I started I had sufficient trails and road side to get a safe 7
mile loop. I was also riding a very non-spooky rock solid stable (read
non-arab ;-) ) so there was not fear of meeting a horse eatting mail
box along the way. I would do the opposite as Ed. I would get up at
about 5:00 two days during the week and be on the horse at 5:30 put in
the miles come back shower and then feed the one I'd ridden finish
getting ready for work and let her out. It was starting to get light
by 6 most of the winter. About 1/2 of the ride was in the dark. I wore
a bright yellow vest and a blinking light on the front and back of my
helmet. I also had bright reflector tape on my helmet.
Truman
Sisu West Ranch wrote:
"...train during
the winter months..."
Before I retired, I lived in WI where sundown is 4:25 in December. I
traind my boss to let me come in early and leave early Tuesday and
Thursday. This got me home by 4:15. I would get saddled up and out on
the trail by 4:45. By the time I was going home, it was pitch black. I
put reflectors on my horse, an orange reflective vest and a blinking
lights on me (front and back).
It only took a couple of weeks and Ranger became rock solid at night on
roads.
Ed
Ed & Wendy Hauser
2994 Mittower Road
Victor, MT 59875
