Chestnuts & Black Tack

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missparis

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Is it really that offensive for a chestnut to wear black tack? I have found a lovely saddle but the only problem is that its black (I was searching for brown). It seems most posts that I have seen about chestnuts on here, say that a chestnut should only wear brown tack. I should mention that this would be my competition saddle for show jumping.
 
It's really down to your own individual taste.

I prefer black tack on certain colours, but wouldn't go for black on a chestnut, if however I was to start my horses wardrobe off from scratch, but if I found a lovely saddle that fitted well at a good price and you just happened to like it anyway, to be honest I couldn't give too hoots what colour it was! (as in black, brown, tabacco etc) besides it's always a good excuse to buy a new bridle and other leather work and match it all up.

If you were showing it could be a different story (although I've seen many gingers in black tack even at the top shows) but jumping, hell who really cares? I don't look at the colour of peoples tack, if it does the job and looks smart and fits well, go for it.
 
Good point Kenzo - SJ'ing isnt exactly showing but I just want to look nice. I would have to replace my show gear (boots, breastplate, bridle) but I can always put my brown gear on eBay and trade in :D It seems that there is always more black saddles for sale, rather than brown which is bit of a pain!
 
I have a chestnut I asked a friend for dressage which colour would be best as she has a very good dressage horse that's chestnut she said straight away black is the best colour for tack for dressage on any colour horse. So I have black tack.............
 
My chestnut in black tack and black saddle cloth.

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I think as long as it fits and it all matches - fine.
 
My chestnut has black tack, it came with him when I bought him so refused to go out and buy new tack for the sake of its colour. I do all sorts with my horse even showing at riding club level and been placed every time despite the colour of my tack!! I dont think it makes a huge amount of difference tbh
 
I have a chestnut & he came with black tack & when I got him a saddle I also got him a black one, didn't even really think of it at the time & I think it looks fine although I do like brown tack too..
 
Black tack should be kept for the cavalry and funeral horses by rights and brown tack is correct for showing classes. Nowadays it seems to be personal preference though and not what's correct. I prefer brown on any horse as you might have guessed, black looks chavvy to me.
 
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Didn't know there was an etiquette for Chestnuts and tack??? Surely its down to individual taste and fit?? My Chestnut is in Black tack and he looks most handsome in it! If I knew how to upload a pic I would prove it!!
 
Lobelia_Overhill & RuntoEarth - both your boys look very smart in black. I think I maybe converted. I originally thought that black would look very harsh but it does actually suit a lot of chestnuts by the looks of it!
 
i've got a set of brown and black for my chestnuts as always had black but new horse came with brown GP saddle so bought him a brown bridle to match. Cant say I really prefer him in one over the other.
 
missparis said:
Lobelia_Overhill & RuntoEarth - both your boys look very smart in black. I think I maybe converted. I originally thought that black would look very harsh but it does actually suit a lot of chestnuts by the looks of it!
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one of us, one of us!! :D

I seem to remember a time when black tack was classed as "posh" because it was very very hard to find black tack...
 
I prefer brown on a chestnut, black on a bay. Saying that, I am doing the biggest faux pah, with black saddle and brown bridle..... for dressage.:eek:
I had brown tack, needed a new saddle and ended up buying a black SLK. If I could have afforded to have a brown one made I would, sadly I cannot. With my backside on it you can't see much of it, it fits the horse so who cares.
I think the bridle is more important, as it needs to suit the face.
 
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