Why you should wear Hi-Vis all year

High visibility (or Hi-Vis) gear should be an essential part of any groom’s kit – no matter the time of year.

Wearing Hi-Vis enhances the visibility of both horse and rider on and off roads, including on bridleways and in fields, preventing potentially dangerous situations from occurring as you are seen sooner.

To ensure that motorists and other road users have enough time to see and react to your presence on the road, it is vital that you and your horse are wearing these essential pieces of safety kit.

Hi-Vis increases the chance of being seen, even during lighter evenings and throughout the summer when you may be less visible at times riding through the shadows and shelter of trees.

Buy your Hi-Vis waistcoat and other smart clothing in our shop. 

Our clothing range is sourced with busy grooms in mind, combining a stylish look that is both practical and durable, whilst being affordable.

WHAT IS HI-VIS?

High visibility apparel increases visibility by reflecting different light sources. It can help to avoid accidents from occurring, by making those wearing it significantly more visible to other road users.
Most commonly, you will find the kit in fluorescent yellow, green, orange, and red. We respond to these colours most quickly because they are the most visible to the human eye.

HOW DOES HI-VIS CLOTHING WORK?

There are two main components to Hi-Vis clothing: fluorescent material and retro-reflective bands (or tape). Knowing how each material works will help you to make an informed decision when making your purchase.

Fluorescent materials work by absorbing ultra-violet light and re-emitting it at a different wavelength. It is this process that makes the garment ‘glow’ and sets it apart from natural surroundings. This piece of safety kit is excellent in low light conditions such as dusk or dawn. However, it does not offer the same level of protection at night.

For night-time safety, you will need to make sure you have retro-reflective bands. These bands offer extra protection by reflecting light directly back to its source. For example, car headlights will be reflected straight back to the driver, giving them more time to react to your presence.

Whilst there is no requirement to wear Hi-Vis from an insurance point of view, KBIS recommends that you wear a coat or tabard with both components when on roads in any light conditions. It will provide you with improved visibility and may even help with your insurance claim if you are involved in an accident.

BENEFITS OF HI-VIS WHILE OFF-ROADING

It is also recommended that both horse and rider wear Hi-Vis clothing when hacking off-road. If you were unfortunate enough to have an accident whilst riding, you would be more visible to search parties and the air ambulance.

WHAT COLOUR HI-VIS?

There are no legal requirements for horse riders to wear high visibility clothing, but it’s in the rider’s best interest to do so.
When deciding on what colour to purchase, consider the types of background in which you’ll be riding. Typically, yellow is the most popular choice for horse riders based on research that this colour reflects light that the human eye is most sensitive to. Something to keep in mind when making your choice.

INSURANCE

Another important purchase no matter the time of year, is insurance. Our silver membership is the most popular choice for freelance and employed grooms. This membership includes KBIS personal accident insurance with Temporary Total Disablement (TTD) and covers the majority of tasks of a groom including riding. Silver Membership is for those earning up to £385 per week, and will cover 65% of your gross weekly earnings, up to a maximum of £250.

If you are looking for higher benefits and/or earn a higher weekly income, then our Platinum Membership might be more suitable.

Public liability insurance is also available, our KBIS Freelance Groom Public Liability Insurance provides the protection you need for both your liability to the public (against claims made by a third party who has suffered an injury or property damage due to your negligence) and the horses that you care for.

Join 1000’s of other grooms and belong to your professional association.

If you would like to become a BGA member, have a look at our membership options, from as little as 49 pence per week.