The Do's and Don'ts of Color Scheming

Okay, so my barn has been going through a bit of a shopping phase lately, and we're in the process of buying all new halters and saddle pads for our horses. People are throwing out their old, faded color schemes and trading them in for a brand new look- which has raised a very important question.

Which colors look good on which horses?

While the best way to decide on a color to complement your horse is through good ol' trial and error, there are a few rules of thumb from the equestrian fashion handbook that can help you select the color of your next saddle pad, blanket, or halters.




Note: In writing this post, I am considering only which colors will accent the horse best. I am thinking in terms of 'the schooling ring' and at home in the barn. If horse shows are a part of your normal routine, do take into account the attire allowed in the show ring, as some disciplines are a little more strict than others.

For light gray ("white") horses
Do: Choose dark colors; they can be either rich (i.e., navy and merlot) or bright (think dark violet or teal) depending on your preference.
Don't: Choose light or neutral colors, as these will blend in on your horse. This means generally avoiding pastels as well.
For darker gray horses
Do: Be careful about using whites and blacks, as either can be tricky depending upon your horse's precise shade. Go instead for bright pops of color that will contrast the dullness of the gray. Deep red, magenta, and dodger blues, and clover green are all pretty good bets. Darker shades of coral also tend to look nice.
Don't: Go for the dimmer shades like steel blue, lavender, or olive.

For bay horses
Do: Consider the red quality of your horses coat. Darker bays with little red look good in a scarlet or crimson saddle pad; ruddier bays may not necessarily be suited to red or orange based accessories. White always looks good on a bay horse and can be positively stunning on a darker bay. Icy colors can also complement a fiery coat. (Consider shades of mint green and turquoise, but be willing to test them first.)
Don't: Use black unless your horse's body is positively red. And please, don't use beiges or golden colors.

For chestnuts
Do: Evaluate the red tones in your horse, as you would a bay. Do avoid reds unless the horse is that golden brown that people like to call sorrel. Dark blue (particularly midnight blue, with its grayish undertone) tends to complement the orange shade of the coat. Use black or white if you are looking for something more conservative or traditional. Emerald or mint greens are also good, depending on the richness of the coat color. If you want something lighter, periwinkles or blue/green pastels can work.
Don't: Assume that one color fits all. The varying shades of chestnut make it difficult to generalize. Consider contrasting orangey shades with blues and redder coats with greens. And don't assume that black and white mean boring. Play with piping around a black or white saddle pad or consider mixing and matching lead ropes on a black halter to play it safe while still adding the zest of color.

For palominos
Do: Head for the purples and violets. They look fabulous on palominos! Also consider some rich pinks. Teals and blue, too, generally look great.
Don't: Be afraid to try a color. Many colors look good on palomino horses, but... Don't assume every color is safe. Orange and yellow based colors can be a big misstep on yellow-based horse coats.

For black horses
Do: Try pastels (seafoam green, dusty rose, alice blue, lavender) or bright, vibrant colors (dandelion yellow, shamrock green, raspberry red, or even neons for the more adventurous horses and riders). Of course, white is always acceptable, but a tan-based neutral is always a lovely alternative.
Don't: Buy dark colors like navy and don't assume that hunter greens are okay (more often than not, they aren't). Also, don't forget that black and orange are often associated with Halloween, so be wary when looking at those corals or salmons.

In general, light colors on a light horse can look washed out, while darker colors on the same horse will add contrast and please the eye. Similarly, dark colors on dark horses blend in, while lighter or brighter colors complement the coat. Dull coats often look best when contrasted against bright colors, and bright coats can be complemented by cooler or duller colors. Also, consider the red factor in your horse's color before settling on a color scheme. Red horse + red color = no complement.

However, color is an art, not a science. There is no formula for figuring out what color your horse looks best in, and everyone's aesthetic is slightly different. If you're choosing a color swatch for your horse, be sure to seek the opinions of other riders and rely on your own good judgement to come to a final decision.