What to Wear: Horse & Rider Colour Guide

Your horse or pony is part of your outfit! When choosing what to wear, think about how your clothing will look against their coat colour.

The goal is to coordinate without blending together. As a general rule, avoid wearing an outfit that is very close to your horse's colouring. A little contrast helps both you and your horse stand out beautifully in photographs.

Black Horses

Avoid an all-black outfit, especially black tops or jackets. Against a black horse, dark clothing can disappear and make it difficult to distinguish your silhouette from theirs.

Try instead:Cream • ivory • camel • oatmeal • beige • soft brown • burgundy • dusty blue • denim • muted sage

A cream sweater, jeans and brown boots would photograph beautifully.

Bay & Dark Bay Horses

Bay horses already have gorgeous warm brown tones with black points, so avoid dressing head-to-toe in very dark brown or black.

Try instead:Cream • ivory • oatmeal • navy • dusty blue • muted green • burgundy • soft denim • warm beige

For a polished riding look, a navy riding jacket with a light shirt is beautiful against a bay.

Chestnut & Sorrel Horses

Avoid clothing that closely matches the horse's reddish-brown coat—particularly rust, copper or orange-brown from head to toe.

Try instead:Cream • ivory • navy • deep blue • forest/sage green • denim • soft beige • muted burgundy

Blue is particularly beautiful against a chestnut because it provides natural contrast.

Grey & White Horses

This is where I would avoid an all-white or very pale outfit. You want the rider to remain visually distinct from the horse.

Try instead:Navy • denim • forest green • burgundy • camel • chocolate brown • dusty blue • deeper neutrals

A darker top with jeans or riding breeches creates beautiful separation.

Palomino Horses

Palominos already bring warm gold and cream into the photograph, so avoid dressing entirely in pale yellow, tan or gold.

Try instead:Denim blue • navy • sage • forest green • burgundy • cream paired with denim • soft brown

Blue and denim are especially gorgeous with a golden coat.

Paints, Pintos & Appaloosas

Because your horse already has plenty of pattern and contrast, keep your clothing relatively simple.

Try: solid colours and subtle textures rather than busy prints.

Pulling one colour from your horse's coat into a small detail—boots, belt, jacket or accessory—can tie everything together without making you blend into them.

A Few Fyvie Favourites

For timeless photographs, you really can't go wrong with cream, denim, camel, navy, muted greens, burgundy and warm earthy neutrals.

Texture photographs beautifully too: chunky knits, suede, denim, linen, leather boots and layered jackets can add interest without distracting from you and your horse.

Most importantly, avoid matching your horse too closely.

Dark horse → consider a lighter or mid-tone outfit.Light horse → consider richer or darker tones.Warm-coloured horse → introduce cooler or complementary colours.

And don't forget about your horse's wardrobe! A freshly cleaned bridle, polished leather and well-groomed coat make a huge difference. If you're using a halter, choose something clean and understated so the focus stays on the connection between you.