Color coordinating fly bonnet and coat

[Draftmare]

I’ve ordered this coat: https://imgur.com/gPBSMYu and am super excited for it to get here.

Now I need to figure out fly bonnet color. Previously I was going to show in a navy coat with a navy fly bonnet. Now that I will be showing in a purple-ish coat I am at a loss on what color fly bonnet to go with. I am tempted to try to see if somebody like If The Bonnet Fits can make me a matching fly bonnet. I will be showing USDF, and the only rules are a discreet design and color.

If not purple, what color should I go with? I will have a white pad and breeches, black boots and black helmet.

And yes, I do feel strongly about showing in a bonnet. Last year I had a show ruined by a bug flying down my mare’s ears before we even made it into our first test and I don’t want a repeat.

[yaya]

What about matching the bonnet to your horse’s color so it won’t be so conspicuous?

[Hopeless]

Love the coat! Are you riding the appy in your blog? That is going to look great! If you can’t get purple, because of course that would look the best, but if you can’t get that and since your horse is rather light, I would say white.

[Draftmare]

@Hopeless

Love the coat! Are you riding the appy in your blog? That is going to look great! If you can’t get purple, because of course that would look the best, but if you can’t get that and since your horse is rather light, I would say white.

Yes, this is her summer coat: https://imgur.com/FuOwREz

I am super excited about the coat, purple is one of my favorite colors on her.

I am not super hot on going white, I think that may draw a lot of attention to her ears and head.

[alibi_18]

I would never do white (unless the horse is as white) and unless the purple is as dark as the jacket (and not really noticeable), I wouldn’t do purple as well.

I would opt for some sort of a light charcoal that would match the overal color of your mare’s mane.

Matchy matchy stuff is fun for everyday/casual rides.
I have bonnets in all sort of colors… From pink to yellow, brown, white, gray, green, blue and orange…

But at shows or for more formal events (presenting a horse for sale), go with what would complement your horse’s look; You want to showcase your horse’s head, not a bonnet.

Don’t get me wrong, you won’t lose points over that but a « flashy*» bonnet can be distracting.

*By that I also mean flimsy ones that flaps all over, too extra blingy, ill-fitted…

[cayuse]

Are you doing brown boots and tack? I am sorry but I can’t remember. If you are, how about brown? Or maybe go without if you can. Sometime I think less is more, but that’s just me.

[SusanO]

Buy a white one and dye it. They used to make Ritt(?) dye in lots of colors. I guess they still sell it.

[Hopeless]

@alibi_18

I would never do white (unless the horse is as white) and unless the purple is as dark as the jacket (and not really noticeable), I wouldn’t do purple as well.

I would opt for some sort of a light charcoal that would match the overal color of your mare’s mane.

Matchy matchy stuff is fun for everyday/casual rides.
I have bonnets in all sort of colors… From pink to yellow, brown, white, gray, green, blue and orange…

But at shows or for more formal events (presenting a horse for sale), go with what would complement your horse’s look; You want to showcase your horse’s head, not a bonnet.

Don’t get me wrong, you won’t lose points over that but a « flashy*» bonnet can be distracting.

*By that I also mean flimsy ones that flaps all over, too extra blingy, ill-fitted…

OOh I like that idea, light charcoal. That would look nice.

[anon38350891]

@SusanO

Buy a white one and dye it. They used to make Ritt(?) dye in lots of colors. I guess they still sell it.

This is a great idea. I have dyed white cotton fly bonnets all sorts of colors including burgundy, pink, tan using coffee as the dye substance, tie-dye. This was not for showing but for trails.

[Draftmare]

@cayuse

Are you doing brown boots and tack? I am sorry but I can’t remember. If you are, how about brown? Or maybe go without if you can. Sometime I think less is more, but that’s just me.

I have brown tack, I decided against getting brown boots for now. Going to try to keep my black Ariats alive for one more show season.

[outerbanks77]

I’d get one custom made to match. I haven’t ordered from them, but Bascule Bonnets seems to do nice work - she’s on Facebook and Etsy.

[netg]

@Draftmare

I have brown tack, I decided against getting brown boots for now. Going to try to keep my black Ariats alive for one more show season.

I’d match the bridle color then.

[Training_Cupid]

@yaya

What about matching the bonnet to your horse’s color so it won’t be so conspicuous?

That would be my vote too.

[MissAriel]

Either a brown to match the bridle, or if you can find it, something to match her coloring. I’m going to guess finding a brown to match the bridle will be easier.

[KBC]

@Draftmare

And yes, I do feel strongly about showing in a bonnet. Last year I had a show ruined by a bug flying down my mare’s ears before we even made it into our first test and I don’t want a repeat.

I feel the same about nose nets after an -errr- interesting experience last year…

[Jo]

I would get brown to match her/your tack and if you want, a purple trim to match the bonnet. My trainer would be mortified if I showed up to show in a purple bonnet.

[L00kAtMeN0w]

Just a quick warning that the USEF rules state the following:
“Fly hoods (ear covers) are permitted for all classes in order to protect horses from insects. The fly hoods should be discreet in color and design and should not cover the horse’s eyes. After completion of the test, the rider or his representative is responsible for removing the fly hood to present to the designated ring steward for inspection to ensure that nothing prohibited has been added (for example, ear plugs).”

So I would just make sure nothing ends up being too colorful. (Brown with Purple and White Piping sounds really nice though)

[ArabDiva]

@L00kAtMeN0w

Just a quick warning that the USEF rules state the following:
“Fly hoods (ear covers) are permitted for all classes in order to protect horses from insects. The fly hoods should be discreet in color and design and should not cover the horse’s eyes. After completion of the test, the rider or his representative is responsible for removing the fly hood to present to the designated ring steward for inspection to ensure that nothing prohibited has been added (for example, ear plugs).”

So I would just make sure nothing ends up being too colorful. (Brown with Purple and White Piping sounds really nice though)

I have shown in a purple jacket (the horseware one, conforming to the HSV requirements) and matching purple bonnet at rated shows and gotten nothing but compliments from competitors and officials alike. If anyone thought it lacked discretion, they weren’t bold enough to tell me so and that’s just fine with me.

[Draftmare]

@KBC

I feel the same about nose nets after an -errr- interesting experience last year…

Yeah the whole day went down the drain before I even got in the arena for our first test. She wouldn’t stop shaking and twisting her head and yanking the reins out of my hands to try to scratch her face on her leg. Only thing we could figure is that something either stung her in the ear or something actually flew down her ear.