Friday, May 13, 2016

Bonnet Help

I've been toying with the idea of getting Stinker a bonnet because we have been really buggy lately. I hadn't done much about it because I didn't know if he would tolerate it or if wearing something would annoy him more. I finally remembered to borrow one and he was really happy in it.

My favorite face.

Considering I really want to get him out on the trails more this summer, I am going to get a couple. I know how much you guys like to help me spend money so what brands do you recommend? I am interested in both custom and also more mainstream.

There is something fowl in the water jump! (Punny I know)

Finally color suggestions for the custom are also welcome. I want something nice for clinics and eventually shows so nothing too wild. In general I am fairly conservative in my colors. Pretty much everything I have is black, white, grey, or purple. I was leaning towards black which I love on bays but I wasn't sure about it on the chestnut. So please help the color challenged so I don't make Stinker any more embarrassed.

20 comments:

  1. I HIGHLY recommend Sierra from If the Bonnet Fits. She's fantastic to work with, has very reasonable prices and will do a custom size for you based on your measurements. I think her basic bonnets are comparable to something premade you'd find in tack stores, but I like the USG bonnets for schooling. Lots of fun color combos!

    As far as colors, I'd do a darker base - black or charcoal. I always think light colored bonnets look funny on darker horses. You could do a darker base with some fun purple piping or edging.

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    1. Thanks! I was thinking that about the light colors but couldn't find pictures (I also didn't try that hard) to confirm or deny it.

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  2. I don't have any custom recommendations, but I also like conservative colors (on any color horse). I don't think you can go wrong with classic black/white like what you borrowed... since dressage tack and clothes are black and white!

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    1. You forgot the sparkles the DQs are so fond of... :)

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  3. Another recommendation for If the Bonnet Fits. Pay the little bit extra for mercerized cotton instead of acrylic, it's worth it. The cool thing about her is that she can do anything you want, from shape to color to trim (she's working on a special order beaded trim bonnet for me right now) to ear embroidery to sizing. The prices are VERY reasonable considering all she can do, especially compared to other custom makers that produce bonnets of similar quality.

    Get two, then you can have a plain conservative one and a more fun one. You'll end up wanting another anyway. ;)

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    1. Too many options... Think she would be ok with me sending a picture of his face and say make him look cute? JK sort of...

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    2. She is awesome! I basically fuddled through my idea of a fancier bonnet that I wanted and she was amazing in laying out colors and cords and everything for me. She also has an eye for bonnet shape for the horses head. I asked for a recommendation and she hit it spot on :)

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    3. She probably would. I described to her what I wanted (a monotone, elegant one for dressage, with beads instead of cord or rhinestones) and she immediately "got" my vision. She does make a crapton of bonnets, after all. ;)

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    4. Yay! I think I will see what magic she can do :)

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  4. I always have a cheap navy or hunter one for regular riding. I personally like a string to tie under the jowl for trail riding and out of riding riding... But perhaps I have read and seen too many videos of the ones without strings falling off bridle and all !!!! Scary. I never ride without one spring, summer and fall!!! I am about to spring for a pretty navy one with a cream curve up front for my greys. But I LOFF navy or hunter on chestnuts!

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  5. i love fly bonnets but have a hard time finding one that fits princess, and have even struggled going the custom route too (probs bc i'm an idiot about measuring...). plus she tends to shake the things off anyway. regarding colors, the only one i have right now that fits is black with gold trim and i kinda wish it was anything but black. i tend to like softer neutrals - grays and browns - or gem tones. maybe a little bling too. Stinker's naturally an eye-catching kinda dude. might as well embrace it! ;)

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    1. I feel like with him we could quickly get into tasteless especially if our riding isn't on point. Maybe as we get fancier I'll be able to embrace the flashy.

      That is good to know about the black. So many decisions...

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  6. Custom is great. Or if you're me and you have zero patience, you can order through kl select/red barn and get a cute one in nice colors for like $25. FWIW, I really really love chocolate brown bonnets on chestnuts. Blends right in. Reed Kessler did it first, but I love it.

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  7. I love bling. But I avoid it on Dee's face. So no sparkly bonnets or browbands for us. I feel like I'd rather not draw attention to how unsteady her head is. Because of this I only have super sedate ones (and I'm colour-phobic. Everything is black, white and grey, even when I tried to pick out pain colours for my house).

    That said, chocolate brown would be my pick.

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    1. I may go super conservative when I start showing but I may as well have fun at home while we are grounded. I'm betting that it is at least a year before I am seen by anyone that doesn't already know me.

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  8. I just am seeing this but i have a great person for you!! she made mine and it is the best thing!

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  9. I think Hunter green looks sooo lovely on chestnuts! USG has a lovely hunter green with brown trim if you go the pre made route :)

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    1. I was looking at all their colors this weekend. So many options!

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