What's Your Vote? Brown or Black Tack?

[Manni01]

I believe our horses have a similar color so I would go for brown

[atlatl]

@Rackonteur

I prefer brown tack but for a bay pinto I’d use black. More orthodox and besides it will match the black in his mane and tail.

This ^

[Willesdon]

A slight diversion into some history. Naturally tanned leather is brown so quality tack, in the past, was always brown. Cheaper leather, in the past, used black dye to hide the blemishes and imperfections found on inferior hides and it was largely used for working harness. The majority of leather is now “chemically” tanned because “vegetable” tanning is so expensive and colour no longer automatically indicates quality. As European dressage fashion moved into the USA it came with black leather.

Personally, from a spectator’s perspective, I’m sitting too far away to see if the tack is black or well-cared-for dark brown. If any tack catches the eye, rather than being focused on watching the horse and rider moving, then possibly it’s not the best colour choice, lol!

[peedin]

I have a chestnut. Black saddle, brown leathers, brown bridle. Mix and match is my motto!

[hoopoe]

brown leather is said to be healthier. Black tack became in vogue in the 90s. It is my understanding the tanning and dying process for black is harder on the leather. I love brown tack and feel it is a timeless item. Well kept leather should last and be useful, not a passing fad. Never had black, always showed in brown leathers.

[FjordBCRF]

I didn’t ride dressage until college and up until then, every barn I rode at had a tack room filled with brown tack. In college, ALL the dressage tack was black which seemed pretty standard; I think I would have felt that a brown dressage saddle would have been out of place.

With that all said, I’m partial to black tack now because I like how it matches my fjord! My next saddle is going to be a western saddle, and I feel like black tack with western doesn’t have many non custom options.

@cnm161 - that saddle looks stunning, best of both worlds!!

[atr]

A practicality attack here… is the horse mature or is he likely to change shape and grow out of his saddle?

If the latter, go for simple black with easiest resale.

[Eli_Tries]

I ride in Bates saddles, which are adjustable, for that exact reason. As long as the tree fits him, I can swap out the gullet as he widens.

[cnm161]

@FjordBCRF

@cnm161 - that saddle looks stunning, best of both worlds!!

Aww thanks. It’s actually dark brown with cognac accents because my philosophy has pivoted rapidly from “we must be traditional” to “let’s accessorize the heck out of my Barbie horse” and I’m honestly happier for it.

So @Eli_Tries, I’d vote for brown with your boy, but you can’t really go wrong so long as you like it.

[IPEsq]

I am 1000% team brown tack

[CornishPixie]

Just as an aside, what a beautiful barn.

Of course your horse and tack are beautiful too.

[FjordBCRF]

I totally appreciate deviating from the norm. That’s awesome!

[keh]

You don’t have to match, honestly! Ride well & present a tidy appearance. Oh & enjoy your beautiful horse.

[MapleFarm]

I just custom ordered a new dressage saddle for my hard to fit barrel of a horse. I’ve always liked black dressage saddles, but I have 2 very dark/almost black mares and now I’m going with dark browns - I feel like they bring out the undertones a bit! Also I got a super deal on a dark brown Trilogy (barely used) I think because it was brown (for the normal shaped but wide mare). I used a black girth in my last show because I haven’t yet found a 36” dark brown anatomical girth that matches, and honestly you couldn’t tell. I think I’ll probably just keep the black.

This is the colors of the one I just ordered, with brown patent piping, and brown croc on the cantle:

Now I can use brown or black bridle/girth combo and it will match either way!

[ThreeFigs]

Whatever fits horse and rider. I wouldn’t let color of tack sway me away from a decent fit!

[LCDR]

Brown for hunters, black for dressage and no bling for either. But I am old and was heavily influenced by George Morris books and videos as a beginner rider.

[2tempe]

I am also old but not influenced by GM, etc. Brown tack to me is almost mandatory in hunters. Black for dressage is my vote. I’m not much for bling other than a nice browband but will admit to patent leather on the nosebands and on cantle of my saddle.

[Manni01]

Yes, it’s the nicest facility you can imagine, everything is perfect and the owners are lovely. it’s mostly their horses and only 2 or 3 boarders…

[eightpondfarm]

pretty boy! I’d go with black. Might be hard to get the right brown. Black is always black.

[see_u_at_x]

I think either color would look splendid on your very flashy horse! My motto, though, is why choose just one color when you can do both?