What color leather tack (such as bridles/saddles) looks good on chestnuts? Shes a bright chestnut, almost copppery. I ride eventing so color recommendations such as havana as opposed to western leather colors. Also, what colors for saddle pads, polo wraps, etc would you recommend? I was thinking that instead of having a color I would just go with basic plaid but wanted to see if anything would look better. Thanks!
My girl is a bright chestnut too. As for bridles, a dark havana is nice. I think on chestnuts the darker the better for leather. I love royal blue on chestnuts for saddle pads and polos. My color for eventing is maroon and that looks pretty good too on my girl!
Any shade of brown will look nice. I’m a fan of rich, warm browns (Devoucoux and CWD have a “hazelnut” color for example).
As for wraps, pads, coolers, etc - dark green is a chestnut’s best friend. Brown, taupe, cream, etc all look striking as well. I no longer event but I when I did my barn’s colors were dark green with maroon & gold piping. It looked quite nice on my chestnut horse.
I avoid blue, black and other cool tones on chestnuts. Red doesn’t look good either. It’s a matter of personal taste though.
Does your mare have a lot of chrome or is she pretty plain? Regardless which color(s) you choose, plaid adds some bling to your turnout for a plain horse, but can look too “busy” on a horse that has a lot of white. I have one chestnut mare who is also bright and coppery, but she’s also got 4 socks and a huge blaze. I liked how this bridle looked on the horse in the photo, so ordered one with brass fittings for my girl, and it looks great on her: https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/harwich-eventer-bridle-by-smartpak-8383
It really would be easier with pictures 
I love chestnuts in navy or midnight blue, dark green, or even a emerald green.
With certain shades of chestnut a deep teal could look very sharp.
I would stick with deeper shades of brown for leather goods.
I want to poke my eyes out when I see bright chestnuts in pink or purple, so I hope you don’t go that route!
I have two bright chestnuts, and both wear chocolate brown tack, which I just love. I much prefer white or (my fave!) tan pads with a “natural” sheepskin half-pad, but I also have a couple of black ones for practicality’s sake. (Grubby white pads just make me nuts.)
Absolutely agree on the subject of PINK on chestnuts. This ought to be punishable by law.
My gelding is about the same color, and my favorite tack colors on him are darker shades - havana or black. I also think hunter green goes well with chestnut coats.
Hunter green seems to be traditional on chestnuts, but I think that is boring. Emerald might be better, but I like blue!
I like any shade of green and blue.
I really like emerald green, too
Black also looks nice!
I personally avoid reds, oranges. And yellows.
The funny thing about reds on chestnuts - probably 75% of saddlebreds are chestnuts and 95% of those are shown in red browbands and look fine.
My chestnuts looked great in a pre-historic red, green & white tartan plaid cooler.
[QUOTE=Red Barn;8677591]
Absolutely agree on the subject of PINK on chestnuts. This ought to be punishable by law.[/QUOTE]
While I agree in theory, my bright copper chestnut has a pink/purple heavyweight turnout. It’s 2100 denier and only cost me $100.00 at a closeout sale. I’ve had it for years and it looks as good as the day I bought it. I think it looks awful but it keeps him warm and he doesn’t care.
For accessories (that I’m not embarrassed for people to see) I like green from emerald to forest and chocolate browns. His saddle & bridle are black and look good on him. Pink, purple, and red (with noted exception) are out.
I’ll be ‘that person’–I hate green on chestnuts. I love brown, black, white, and navy.
I’d avoid anything red or green. Also pink/purple, but that’s a given. Neutrals are your friend!
[QUOTE=Real Rush;8677423]
Does your mare have a lot of chrome or is she pretty plain? Regardless which color(s) you choose, plaid adds some bling to your turnout for a plain horse, but can look too “busy” on a horse that has a lot of white. I have one chestnut mare who is also bright and coppery, but she’s also got 4 socks and a huge blaze. I liked how this bridle looked on the horse in the photo, so ordered one with brass fittings for my girl, and it looks great on her: https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/harwich-eventer-bridle-by-smartpak-8383[/QUOTE]
She has a star and one small white marking that goes to her hock a a little bit higher in some places but not by much…the correct technical term is escaping me
[QUOTE=MissAriel;8677558]
It really would be easier with pictures
I love chestnuts in navy or midnight blue, dark green, or even a emerald green.
With certain shades of chestnut a deep teal could look very sharp.
I would stick with deeper shades of brown for leather goods.
I want to poke my eyes out when I see bright chestnuts in pink or purple, so I hope you don’t go that route![/QUOTE]
I agree with you on the pink and purple! I dont know how to add pictures or I definelty would!
[QUOTE=mswillie;8678011]
While I agree in theory, my bright copper chestnut has a pink/purple heavyweight turnout. It’s 2100 denier and only cost me $100.00 at a closeout sale. I’ve had it for years and it looks as good as the day I bought it. I think it looks awful but it keeps him warm and he doesn’t care.
For accessories (that I’m not embarrassed for people to see) I like green from emerald to forest and chocolate browns. His saddle & bridle are black and look good on him. Pink, purple, and red (with noted exception) are out.[/QUOTE]
For $100, it can be any color.
I just want to add that I really like a lighter brown bridle on a chestnut. We bought a Bobby’s “light brown” (slightly darker than traditional newmarket) for DD’s bright chestnut. We oiled it several times before using it, and she always got tons of compliments.
Here’s a pic:
http://www.photoreflect.com/store/Orderpage.aspx?pi=0N3T002Z040093&po=5&a=821395&fip=1
[QUOTE=gallopthestars;8678164]
She has a star and one small white marking that goes to her hock a a little bit higher in some places but not by much…the correct technical term is escaping me[/QUOTE]
Sounds like she’s fairly “plain” then. I would say you could safely go with any plaid design of your choosing, or any other type of pattern. Good luck!
As for attaching pictures, there are a couple ways you can do it: Sign up for a premium membership on this forum, or sign up for a free membership through either Photobucket or Imgur. Once you upload the pictures you want to share on those websites, they will provide a link to each picture. Simply copy and paste in your message, and then anyone can click and see them.
Dark brown tack–definitely not black, especially since she’s bright. It will make her look like she’s dressed for Halloween!
I would avoid all reds. I agree that blues (baby blue or royal if you want to get away from navy) and greens (mint or lighter/brighter green as a change from hunter) look good. Many shades of purple will look good, and some warm browns (that could be boring by itself, but can look sharp with other colors).
Have fun with it!
[QUOTE=mswillie;8678011]
While I agree in theory, my bright copper chestnut has a pink/purple heavyweight turnout. It’s 2100 denier and only cost me $100.00 at a closeout sale. I’ve had it for years and it looks as good as the day I bought it. I think it looks awful but it keeps him warm and he doesn’t care. :)[/QUOTE]
For a deal that good I guess you might be let off with a warning.
To be honest, one of mine sometimes wears a purple turnout sheet for similar reasons. Of course, if stopped by the cops I’d call it “amethyst” or something, but that’s basically a lie - it’s purple.
Tan tack with pale mint green colours (like wasabi green). Trust me, it looks incredible!
