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Hi Vis Clothing for Horse Riding

Ranked #4,773 in Pets & Animals, #119,829 overall

...and Why I Can't Live Without It

This lens is all about the POLITE high visibility clothing range for horse riders and what a difference it's made to me.

Despite the absolute joy of horse riding it can be extremely unnerving for riders when cars pass by too close, too quickly, or often both! In many instances of course the driver may not have seen you and your horse. In others, through lack of understanding or education maybe, the driver may choose to pass dangerously.

If they know you're there and choose to drive irresponsibly anyway, what on Earth could make them slow down?

Hi Vis for Horse Riders

..and why you should always wear it.

Equisafety 'POLITE' Wrap Around WINTER RugRiding horses on the road has always been tricky, especially in busier areas. The behaviour of a very small number of car drivers means we've all genuinely thought we haven't been seen on at least one occasion.

Hi vis for horse riding is essential to make sure all other riders and road users can see you clearly, and from a distance. Hi vis is more of a necessity in the winter months when the light is late to start and draws in early, but should be worn all year round.

The majority of riders do wear hi vis materials, and now an increasing number are buying hi vis clothing for their horses too, further improving visibility and safety.

Do You Wear Fluorescent Clothing When Horse Riding?

Cavaletti Clothing

I do see a number of riders not using fluorescent clothing, sometimes at dawn or dusk. Do you think they're important for visbility?

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What the Equisafety Hi Vis Waistcoat has Done for Me

...and how it has affected my riding

Equisafety 'POLITE' Hat BandI live in a town but am not far from the New Forest. My horse's stable is in a quiet village on the edge of the forest, but we do have to use roads to get to it. As we wander up the winding country lanes I often pick up on cars quite far away (it's quite quiet round here), and automatically try to gauge their speed. In the past I would get quite nervous if I heard someone driving quickly, convinced that a car who chose to pass too fast and/or too close was going to scare my horse causing untold damage to himself and to me.

All the hi vis in the world won't stop an irresponsible driver putting you in danger, so how do you slow him down?

The Equisafety Hi Vis Polite Range - that's how! Sorry if this sounds cheesy but the peace of mind is priceless. High visibility rider wear and high visibility horse wear allow drivers and other road users to see you, that slows the majority of people down. Some will choose not to, but if you are wearing the hi vis POLITE range, they slow down very quickly!

I feel much more confident on the roads now than I did before, and feel that the safety of my horse and myself have both been greatly improved by this hi vis range.

Why Does It Work So Well?

Equisafety 'POLITE' Hi Vis WaistcoatThe Equisafety POLITE range works so well because it is designed to catch the attention of drivers and encourages them to give you and your horse plenty of passing space.

It's comfortable and well fitted. It has two large pockets at the front and can be washed at home. It's available in a range of sizes and is fully adjustable to allow for more or less clothing underneath depending on the season.

It's a best seller for many equestrian clothing suppliers in England, so the public must approve!

POLITE Waistcoats on the Jeremy Vine Show

Not Just for Riders...

The POLITE hi vis range got a mention on Radio 2 this summer, when a lady cyclist rang in to describe what a difference the waistcoat had made to her, proving that the range is not just for horse riders but road users of all types.

Where to Buy Equisafety Hi Vis POLITE Range

Buy Online & Have It Delivered!

I like the Cavaletti Clothing store and recommend it for all things equestrian including horse riding clothing, equestrian wear, riding boots, horse wear, hi vis, and anything else you can think of! Their site is easy to use, customer service is excellent, delivery is cheap, and they dispatch quickly. I really recommend the POLITE safety range and have seen the results in action. Take a look at this story on Cavaletti's news page to show how effective it can be!

You can also by POLITE jackets and headbands for yourself, plus neck bands and sheet wraps for your horse.

Have you had experience of the POLITE Range?

Have you or your horse been frightened by a reckless driver? Do you wear ordinary fluorescents?Do you own the POLITE waistcoat or other parts of the range? What difference has it made to you?

  • LauraTelier Jan 3, 2012 @ 10:30 am | delete
    I have just researched further and can find no evidence that the Equisafety POLITE clothing is not EN1150 - it is advertised as EN1150 on Equisafety, Amazon, and others.
  • LauraTelier Jan 3, 2012 @ 10:21 am | delete
    Hi B Stafford - thank you for your comment.

    I checked into this straight away after receiving your message. You are correct in that the ASA upheld a complaint - I quote: "The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has upheld a complaint against an advert by Equisafety that said its Polite range of high-visibility riding wear had been “police consulted”.

    Equisafety told the ASA that the words “police consulted” were not meant to imply that the police had approved the product for use.

    However, the company agreed to take the wording off
    future adverts.

    “We have been reported to the ASA by just one person but have changed the advert,” said Nicky Fletcher of Equisafety."
  • B STAFFORD Jan 3, 2012 @ 9:48 am | delete
    The Equisafety POLITE range is NOT approved by the Police, nor is it EN1150 certified. The Advertising Standards Authority have adjudicated on the misleading advertising by Equisafety.
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LauraTelier

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