Do you own a coloured horse or pony? Then you’re sure to relate to one of these eight situations…
1. Bathing has become a full-time job
Your horse seems to get stable stains where you never knew a horse could get stable stains, and mud seems to stick to every single white section of his body. You’re all for letting your horse live his life, so you’re forced to stay on top of his cleanliness with a bucket, sponge and some old-fashioned elbow grease. The only positive is that you’re arguably in a slightly better position than owners of white-grey horses…
2. Your horse has more rugs than an online tack store
If you compete your coloured he needs an extensive wardrobe. Hoods, under and over rugs, lycra suits and an abundance of turnout rugs, not to mention enough tail bags and bandages to supply the normal horse for a lifetime. Your washing machine is certainly put to the test during competition season, too.
3. If you have a cob, to hog or not to hog is a constant dilemma
Is he a traditional cob, or would he perhaps make a better hogged show cob? Maybe he’s more of a native type? Would it be easier to let his mane grow naturally, or should I take it off for ease and convenience? Should I trim his legs out, but then what about his lovely feathers? Remember, once it’s gone, it’s gone…
4. You get bored of telling people the difference between piebald and skewbald
Just to remind everyone, piebalds have black patches, and skewbalds are white with patches of another colour (bay, brown, chestnut etc), though they’ll probably forget this in a few minutes.
5. Your horse sometimes gets underestimated at competitions
Just because he has patches doesn’t mean he’s any less capable of clearing those fences, performing an elegant dressage test or reigning in the show ring. We feel that owners of more traditional coloureds are probably subject to the most discrimination when out and about, as people tend to underestimate the “cobby” types more. Just watch him go and then you’ll be forced to eat your words.
6. You become unable to differentiate between a marking and a stable stain
Similar to point one, stable stains become something you were initially stressed out by, but you’ve come to accept them and realise it’s just all part of owning a coloured. Nevertheless, a yellowing tinge on competition day won’t wash (pun intended) so you’ve tried out all the fast-acting whitening shampoos on the market. We’ve all been guilty of letting yellow bits fester for so long that they seem to have become part of your horse’s DNA. I can just start again when I clip him next year, right?
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7. You’ve become obsessed with coloured horses and ponies
Once you’ve got a coloured beauty in your life, you’ll struggle to go back to solid colours. Their patches and markings make them unique, and there’s a great network of breeders, enthusiasts and societies dedicated to all types of coloured horses and ponies.
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Former H&H showing editor and deputy features editor
Born and raised in the Lake District, Alex has grown up on the showing scene. She has qualified and competed ponies at the Royal International, Horse of the Year Show and Olympia and has first-hand knowledge of the current issues in the showing world as well as the horses, ponies and riders who compete in the sport. Alex joined H&H in January 2018 as showing editor, cementing its place as the leading equestrian publication for both showing reports and current showing news in the UK. She moved on in October 2024 to pursue other opportunities, but continues to write for us on a freelance basis.
