In today's equine world, "equestrian fashion" is on every horse rider's radar and can be seen in both the rider's gear and the horse' equipment. Professional and everyday riders alike can obtain matching saddle pads, bandages/boots, and fly veils which all come with matching clothing in the latest colour trends to create stunning looks.

The classic colours black, white, grey, brown, and navy will never go out of fashion. However, if you want to go for a more fashionable look, the answer is simple: colour! Choosing complementary colours for horse and rider makes for a stunning visual impression. In this blog, we will walk you through an equestrian colour guide to colour-coordinating with your horse.

The best place to start is by understanding colour theory and how this can impact your choice of colours. These colour tips will not only help you with your equine style but your everyday life, too; from home interior design to your street fashion attire, understanding complementary colours is a win-win.

The colour wheel was developed by Sir Isaac Newton in 1666. Best known for his physics breakthroughs, Newton mapped the colour spectrum into a circle to create the basic colour wheel we know and use today. This wheel is formed of 12 colours using a combination of the three primary colours: red, blue, and yellow. These three primary colours are mixed in different ways to create the remaining nine colours on the wheel. Various hues, tints, tones, and shades are also added to complete the colour wheel.

• Hue: another term for colour. The pure colour.
• Tint: a pure colour mixed with white.
• Tone: a pure colour mixed with grey.
• Shade: a pure colour mixed with black.

The colour wheel can be split into half: warm and cool. Warm colours are pinks, reds, oranges and yellow, while greens, blues and purples are cool colours. By using this colour coordination guide, you can understand how colour works to find your perfect match.

Next to learn are complimentary colours: colour combinations that look good together. Look at the colour wheel and find two opposing colours. Complementary colour combinations include blue and orange, red and green, or purple and yellow. If the colours are directly opposite or near each other, then you know they will partner well together.

When it comes to colour, there are countless possibilities, but sometimes narrowing your options down can be the best step for creating a perfect look for you and your horse. You could choose just one complementary colour for a classic style, or if you enjoy a more eye-catching look, you can choose contrasting or multiple complementary colours.

The main point to consider is your horse's coat colour, as not all colours work on all horse coats. Below are some suggestions on the type of colour schemes that suit different horse coat colours:

• Bay: yellow, burgundy, beige and green
• Chestnut: green, navy, white and brown
• Grey: red, purple, pink and bright blue
• Black: All colours look good, but the most striking is red, orange, purple, yellow
• Palomino & Dun: black, turquoise, burgundy and green
• Piebald: red, royal blue, pink and burgundy
• Skewbald: green, navy, orange and pink

The above is just a guide; if your favourite colour is pink and you have a chestnut horse, it is not to say this colour combination is wrong. The colours of saddlery and clothing you choose are your personal choice and what you like!

If you're looking to create the ultimate matchy-matchy look, LeMieux is the go-to brand.

Originally started in 2003, the Hampshire-based company soon expanded into making quality lambskin saddle pads. This production of saddle pads really put LeMieux on the map, and now the company has grown extensively, taking the equestrian market of matching sets by storm. LeMieux is now included in the 2022 Sunday Times 100, having been recognised as the 66th Fastest Growing Private Company in the UK.

What Are The LeMieux Colours?

LeMieux has an astonishing range of colour offerings in their collection, from vibrant reds, including Chilli and Mulberry, to cool Navy's and Peacock Green. Their saddle pads, headcollars, brushing boots and bandages are available in LeMieux's best-selling colours and come in two options, Loire and Suede, so you're spoilt for choice. For a classic everyday style, suede is the best option, offering a sleek and professional look. This range's saddle pad is super soft and complimented by a bamboo lining which absorbs and controls sweat under the saddle, ensuring each one is beautifully comfortable and secure. The Loire collection is extremely stylish, exuding sophistication and class. The woven satin fabric gives a beautiful sheen to these pads whilst still benefitting from the wonderfully soft and breathable Bamboo lining.

The LeMieux colour sets also come in limited editions for those looking for a more fashion-forward and exclusive look!

Every spring/summer and autumn/winter season, LeMieux launches a new collection. Past LeMieux matchy-matchy sets have included Oak, Dijon, Watermelon, Bluebell, Fig and Sienna! What could be next?

Make sure you keep an eye out on our socials Instagram @countryandstable facebook.com/countryandstable and premier club email list to discover what the LeMieux sets are for that season and when they arrive…