night riding

theneighbor · 08-16-2008, 08:39 AM

last night the moon was full,I told my wife I wanted to go for a ride so I called my buddy and he said he was up for it. I took my 3yr gracie and my friend took his 3yr brandi. This was the first time nightriding for both of them. It was great it was so quiet, no bugs no heat. Both the horses did great! We did some road riding we had a flashlight only to let cars know we were there. Then we went in the woods and in the thick trees I could not see my horses head. Had to put all my trust in my horse, she didnt let me down. It was about a 2 hour ride and it was great. Curious if anybody else has had any similar experiences

BarnBum · 08-16-2008, 08:52 AM

A horses night vision is quite spectacular. If you use a flashlight while on the trail, it actually messes the horses up. I understand using a flashlight on the road. Glad you enjoyed your ride !

theneighbor · 08-16-2008, 09:06 AM

Yes, your right I should have stated we only had to turn the light on three times not many cars out at midnight.

PaintCowgirl · 08-16-2008, 09:11 AM

Yup, I have done that and it is a great experience. You have to trust your horse.

Gotta Love Duns · 08-16-2008, 09:14 AM

I have done some night riding before and really enjoyed it but I know my friends didn't so I only got to do it the once.

Harmonyhill* · 08-16-2008, 10:04 AM

My blacksmith and I were just talking about night riding when she was here this week. The night rides that we have been on have been some of our favorite rides!

Once, when we were camping, my DH and I went on a ride just before dark, thought we would be back before it was dark.....it went from being gloomy in the woods, to boy I can't see the horse that I am riding on, dark in a very short time (and the horse I was riding on was white!).

We were trying to figure out how we were going to make it back to camp. We decided that the only way that we were going to make it back that night was to trust the horses to get us through the trails, so I gave my Robbie horse his head and he put his nose on the ground, I think that he was sniffing the ground like a hound dog! When I would reach forward to pat him on the neck, he didn't have one! His nose was so close to the ground, I'd have to lean forward and down to touch his neck.....

Every once in a while we must have came to a fork in the trail because he would stop, swing his head left and right, then back up, stop again and then we'd be off....

My DH kept saying that he couldn't even see Robbie's butt, but because of the sudden stops, he knew that Moe, the horse he was riding, had his nose on Robbie's tail.

When we got up the next morning, we had to clean Robbie's nose and face off, it was black with the dirt from the trail....

It was an adventure that we will never forget, and to be able to trust your horses that much, is just an awesome feeling!

We are planning on taking the kids on a night ride this fall.......can't wait!

walkerfarms · 08-16-2008, 10:22 AM

Yep we have done it and glow sticks work really well for letting someone see you and does not mess with the horse's night vision.

BarnBum · 08-16-2008, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walkerfarms

glow sticks .

Now thats a cool idea !!! We have a night ride coming up with the local 4H...I might get the kids some, they would probly enjoy it !!!

aussieshep · 08-16-2008, 10:33 AM

I've done night riding for about 20 years. It's really nice here in FL, when it's too hot and muggy to ride in the daytime. My most memorable experience was when there were fireflies everywhere around us, but they weren't on the trail we were taking. It was awesome!

Crookedblaze · 08-16-2008, 10:43 AM

When we lived in Arizona we'd go on Midnight rides all of the time. It was really neat. Ole Rocket loved it.

paso_lover · 08-16-2008, 12:55 PM

The best time to go is in october during the harvest moon

walkerfarms · 08-16-2008, 01:12 PM

Hey Barnbum get some and they can hang them of the saddle or other places and it looks really cool as the horses are moving along with the glow sticks swinging

mafarion · 08-16-2008, 01:29 PM

I've done it before with my cousin, it was tons of fun! It was November and the moon was so crisp and bright, we just hopped on the horses barebacked and walked around the farm for an hour or so.

PepperPony · 08-20-2008, 09:01 PM

I love riding at night! I haven't done it in awhile though. I wonder if using a red light would mess with their vision? There's something about it that allows us to not need to re adjust from dark to light. Last time I rode in the dark, it was really dusk and crystal almost crashed headfirst into a tree :P

BklynCwgrl · 08-20-2008, 10:06 PM

I'd be scared of the wildlife at night!

David · 08-21-2008, 06:20 AM

I took my wife night riding for her first time on our honeymoon. We spent the first half of it at the beach then the second half camping and riding in the Daniel Boone National Forest in KY. In the area we were in there are a few black bears so we had a pistol, mostly to scare them off. I prefer to ride at night in the summer time, it's so much cooler and easier on the horses and people.

DARLA5711 · 08-22-2008, 06:23 AM

yes a nice night ride is great. i used to do it every month at full moon time. but haven't had much time this year really miss it. it is so nice and cool no bugs and very peaceful.

Knightrider · 08-23-2008, 06:00 AM

Night riding can be really fun if you are riding in a good place for it. I had to ride at night all winter long for about 20 years and I got heartily sick of it. I had to ride in the woods, and I'd be riding along enjoying myself totally, and then YOW! Slapped in the eye with a branch. No fun. It's tiresome riding along with your hand in front of your face waiting for the stick to snag your nose.

Night riding is grand fun with a full moon on an open trail. I did SO MUCH of it, I am glad now to be riding in the early mornings. Now THAT'S a great time to ride!

equine.trailrider · 08-27-2008, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paso_lover

The best time to go is in october during the harvest moon

I'm going to have to try that! I've always been a little leary of riding at night. Wasn't sure of the horse's ability to see in the dark.

seloc · 08-27-2008, 04:44 AM

We have a group of us that go night riding every Friday night for about the last 3 years. It is a wonderful end to the stressful work week. We have flashlights for when cars come and reflective gear for the horses and reflective vests for riders. We ride through our little town (kind of like Mayberry). Our group varies from 4-15 horses depending on the week.

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08-16-2008, 08:39 AM
theneighbor Newborn Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: wi Posts: 5	night riding last night the moon was full,I told my wife I wanted to go for a ride so I called my buddy and he said he was up for it. I took my 3yr gracie and my friend took his 3yr brandi. This was the first time nightriding for both of them. It was great it was so quiet, no bugs no heat. Both the horses did great! We did some road riding we had a flashlight only to let cars know we were there. Then we went in the woods and in the thick trees I could not see my horses head. Had to put all my trust in my horse, she didnt let me down. It was about a 2 hour ride and it was great. Curious if anybody else has had any similar experiences

08-16-2008, 08:52 AM
BarnBum Greenbroke Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sunshine State Posts: 3,609	A horses night vision is quite spectacular. If you use a flashlight while on the trail, it actually messes the horses up. I understand using a flashlight on the road. Glad you enjoyed your ride ! __________________ Murphys Horse Law - A horse's misbehavior will be in direct proportion to the number of people who are watching !!

08-16-2008, 09:06 AM
theneighbor Newborn Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: wi Posts: 5	Yes, your right I should have stated we only had to turn the light on three times not many cars out at midnight.

08-16-2008, 09:11 AM
PaintCowgirl Weanling Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Where God puts me Posts: 266	Yup, I have done that and it is a great experience. You have to trust your horse.

08-16-2008, 09:14 AM
Gotta Love Duns Bombproof Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Dixonville, Alberta Posts: 7,945	I have done some night riding before and really enjoyed it but I know my friends didn't so I only got to do it the once. __________________ A penny saved is a penny you can spend on your next horse.

08-16-2008, 10:04 AM
Harmonyhill* Weanling Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 232	My blacksmith and I were just talking about night riding when she was here this week. The night rides that we have been on have been some of our favorite rides! Once, when we were camping, my DH and I went on a ride just before dark, thought we would be back before it was dark.....it went from being gloomy in the woods, to boy I can't see the horse that I am riding on, dark in a very short time (and the horse I was riding on was white!). We were trying to figure out how we were going to make it back to camp. We decided that the only way that we were going to make it back that night was to trust the horses to get us through the trails, so I gave my Robbie horse his head and he put his nose on the ground, I think that he was sniffing the ground like a hound dog! When I would reach forward to pat him on the neck, he didn't have one! His nose was so close to the ground, I'd have to lean forward and down to touch his neck..... Every once in a while we must have came to a fork in the trail because he would stop, swing his head left and right, then back up, stop again and then we'd be off.... My DH kept saying that he couldn't even see Robbie's butt, but because of the sudden stops, he knew that Moe, the horse he was riding, had his nose on Robbie's tail. When we got up the next morning, we had to clean Robbie's nose and face off, it was black with the dirt from the trail.... It was an adventure that we will never forget, and to be able to trust your horses that much, is just an awesome feeling! We are planning on taking the kids on a night ride this fall.......can't wait! __________________ I'd Rather nuzzle a Muzzle, than kiss a Frog!

08-16-2008, 10:22 AM
walkerfarms Weanling Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: TY TY Georgia Posts: 347	Yep we have done it and glow sticks work really well for letting someone see you and does not mess with the horse's night vision.

08-16-2008, 10:33 AM
aussieshep Halter broke Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: west central FL Posts: 126	I've done night riding for about 20 years. It's really nice here in FL, when it's too hot and muggy to ride in the daytime. My most memorable experience was when there were fireflies everywhere around us, but they weren't on the trail we were taking. It was awesome!

08-16-2008, 10:43 AM
Crookedblaze Started Join Date: May 2008 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 2,447	When we lived in Arizona we'd go on Midnight rides all of the time. It was really neat. Ole Rocket loved it. __________________ Owned by Rocketman, a 17 year old AQHA and Stormy, a 10 year old Peruvian Paso x Arab

08-16-2008, 12:55 PM
paso_lover Seasoned Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sudbury Ontario Canada Posts: 4,558	The best time to go is in october during the harvest moon __________________ "I wish I was half the rider she thinks she is" \"Some people feel compelled to cut off the heads of others in order to make themselves appear taller\" ---Paramahansa Yoginanda

08-16-2008, 01:12 PM
walkerfarms Weanling Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: TY TY Georgia Posts: 347	Hey Barnbum get some and they can hang them of the saddle or other places and it looks really cool as the horses are moving along with the glow sticks swinging

08-16-2008, 01:29 PM
mafarion Halter broke Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 81	I've done it before with my cousin, it was tons of fun! It was November and the moon was so crisp and bright, we just hopped on the horses barebacked and walked around the farm for an hour or so.

08-20-2008, 09:01 PM
PepperPony Weanling Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: TN Posts: 274	I love riding at night! I haven't done it in awhile though. I wonder if using a red light would mess with their vision? There's something about it that allows us to not need to re adjust from dark to light. Last time I rode in the dark, it was really dusk and crystal almost crashed headfirst into a tree :P

08-21-2008, 06:20 AM
David Long Yearling Join Date: May 2007 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,066	I took my wife night riding for her first time on our honeymoon. We spent the first half of it at the beach then the second half camping and riding in the Daniel Boone National Forest in KY. In the area we were in there are a few black bears so we had a pistol, mostly to scare them off. I prefer to ride at night in the summer time, it's so much cooler and easier on the horses and people. __________________ "If you see your stirrups slap together above the horn, you're probably bucked off". Dave Stamey.

08-22-2008, 06:23 AM
DARLA5711 Newborn Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: MASSACHUSETTS Posts: 10	yes a nice night ride is great. i used to do it every month at full moon time. but haven't had much time this year really miss it. it is so nice and cool no bugs and very peaceful.

08-23-2008, 06:00 AM
Knightrider Weanling Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Hildreth, Florida Posts: 347	Night riding can be really fun if you are riding in a good place for it. I had to ride at night all winter long for about 20 years and I got heartily sick of it. I had to ride in the woods, and I'd be riding along enjoying myself totally, and then YOW! Slapped in the eye with a branch. No fun. It's tiresome riding along with your hand in front of your face waiting for the stick to snag your nose. Night riding is grand fun with a full moon on an open trail. I did SO MUCH of it, I am glad now to be riding in the early mornings. Now THAT'S a great time to ride! __________________ Before each ride, I think to myself, "I hope no one tells me I am 'a heck of a rider.'."

08-27-2008, 04:44 AM
seloc Halter broke Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Central Florida Posts: 76	We have a group of us that go night riding every Friday night for about the last 3 years. It is a wonderful end to the stressful work week. We have flashlights for when cars come and reflective gear for the horses and reflective vests for riders. We ride through our little town (kind of like Mayberry). Our group varies from 4-15 horses depending on the week.