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Costuming Your Horse for Halloween

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Many horse lovers be pleased costuming their horses for Halloween events.
Sometimes, the simplest Halloween horse costumes are the most best.
Happy horsey Halloween!

Each fall, as October approaches, horse show barns often host equestrian Halloween fun shows, Halloween horse parades, Halloween tumble festivals, Halloween barn parties or other autumn horsey event. Many horse lovers enjoy dressing up in Halloween and themed costumes for such happenings, and some even decorate or costuming their horses. How can you design a delicious Halloween or themed costume for your horse? Here are several helpful and practical pointers, including many simple Halloween horse costume ideas. The Halloween horse costume must be designed with safety in mind.

As fright-or-flight creatures, horses are easily startled. Nothing can ruin a Halloween horsey event like a panicked horse. When horses become apprehensive, the hooves wing, the horses bolt, and people tend to get hurt.

Streamers, crinkly materials, sequins and shiny objects, tin foil, flashing lights, fluttering feathers, clinking beads and jingling bells can terrify a horse. All of these tend to be extremely unpractical and poor choices for a Halloween horse costume.

In addition, horses seem to universally object to wearing items on their faces or about their ears. Masks, hats and facial adornments are generally rejected by horses.

Because of these equine concerns, a Halloween horse costume must be creatively designed, with an aim towards simplicity and utility.

The Halloween horse costume should match, or complement, the costume broken-down by the accompanying human.

Ideally, the Halloween horse costume will fit with the outfit sported by the human handler or equestrian. The horse might be costumed as a sidekick (no pun intended), a corresponding character, or even simply to complement the rider in costume.

For example, a dark-colored horse in a bat costume might be accompanied by a rider dressed as Batman or Catwoman. Bat wings can be cut from black felt and glued or stitched onto a black saddle pad for a simple Halloween horse costume to accompany the rider or handler’s own outfit.

If the horseback rider or horse handler dresses as one of Batman’s arch enemies, the Riddler, the horse might sport bright question marks on his rump, neck and flanks as his Halloween horse costume. A simple stencil and a can of horse glitter (available at tack stores, in equine catalogs and from horsey websites).

A white or light grey horse, costumed as an angel, might be led or ridden by another angel, or even the opposite. White felt wings can be glued or stitched onto a white saddle pad. Chenille pipe-cleaners are super for forming a halo, which can be attached to the horse’s bridle or halter to complete the angelic Halloween horse costume.

Santa or a Christmas elf might lead a reindeer horse, wearing a stretchy antler headband (available at tack stores, in equine catalogs and from horsey websites). Christmas may reach a little early to the barn, in the form of this Halloween horse costume, but it’s sure to bring smiles.

A horse-loving human dressed as a clown or court jester might attach a colorful stretchy mane-tamer mask, hood or neck wrap on the horse as a Halloween horse costume. These equine garments come in nearly unlimited colors and patterns (available at tack stores, in equine catalogs and from horsey websites). Brilliant multicolored polo wraps might complete the offbeat look.

The Halloween horse costume should be simple and practical.

Sometimes, the simplest Halloween horse costumes are the most appropriate as well.

An ingenious horse-lover can create unlimited Halloween horse costumes with horse glitter (available at tack stores, in equine catalogs and from horsey websites). A few pieces of cardboard can quickly become super-simple stencils.

An equestrian pirate might stencil a white skull-and-crossbones create, or even a compass, on the rump of a sunless, bay or unlit brown horse for a Halloween horse costume. Red polo wraps and a red or checkered saddle pad complete the buccaneer look.

Why not grab a piece of white chalk and draw stripes on a black horse to get a super-simple zebra Halloween horse costume?

Or, scheme several chalk jigsaw puzzle pieces on a dark horse to create a costume for your Halloween horse as a puzzle?

A young rider might dress up as Christopher Robin (from Winnie the Pooh, by A.A. Milne). Tying a simple bow at the top of a grey pony’s tail creates a simple, but adorable, Eeyore as a Halloween horse costume.

Not long ago, we attended a Halloween horse costume contest. The winner was an adorable dappled grey pony, who wore nothing but a graceful red halter. Hanging from her halter on one side was a red heart-shaped tag, reading “Ty.” She was a giant Beanie Baby.

Halloween and theme costumes for humans with horses should also be simple.

Horse-loving humans are best advised to choose their own Halloween and themed costumes carefully as well. Just ask my friend, a seasoned horsewoman, whose current long-time equine companion sent her directly from a Halloween party to the emergency room with a sturdy kick. Apparently, he did not like her pointy witch’s hat and crinkly black cape.

Safety note: Please, do not take your Halloween horse trick-or-treating.

Even the most docile, well-trained horses may surprise their owners, if they are placed in unexpected situations and circumstances. Although a horse may seem like the ideal accessory for a human’s Halloween or themed costume, the equine is really better off remaining back on the farm.

Leading or riding a horse through a youngster-filled neighborhood and negotiating busy streets is a recipe for a full-scale equine spook. This sort of spook is completely inappropriate for Halloween, as a frightened horse can be downright dangerous.

Besides, except for peppermints, candy is generally unhealthy and unappealing for horses. Chocolate can actually prove poisonous to horses. Save the Halloween treats for the humans.

Happy horsey Halloween, as you create your maintain Halloween horse costume and concept your Halloween fun.