High Vis Clothing Handed Out to Horse Riders

The Royal Air Force has started handing out high visibility clothing to horse riders in an effort to keep them safe.

Horse and Hound reported that the Chinook force will be hosted by RAF Wittering until the end of November. It has started a ‘We need to see you to avoid you’ campaign, encouraging riders to wear high visibility clothing to keep them safe.

The Peterborough base has handed out branded day-glo tabards, hat bands and exercise sheets.

Group captain Tony Keeling, RAF Wittering’s station commander said: “For many, Chinooks will be an unfamiliar noise in our skies. We want to make sure that our nearby equestrian communities feel informed and have an opportunity to get the equipment they need before flying commences in order to maximise their safety.”

Ministry of Defence research has shown that helicopter pilots can see horse riders wearing high visibility clothing up to half a mile sooner than they can see riders without it.

This advice reflects that from the British Horse Society that states that horse riders should always wear high visibility clothing whether on or off the road.  

At a minimum it recommends that horse riders should wear a high vis jacket or tabard, on the rider, and leg bands on the horse. Headbands are also considered a useful addition.

In order to get the best high vis clothing they suggest making sure your clothes meet the BSEN1150 or EN1150 standards, aimed at use by leisure riders. 

They also remind riders they can get lower insurance if they wear high vis clothing.