How to Make Halloween Costumes for Horses
One of my favorite days is coming up – Halloween! It’s great fun to dress up and eat candy all night, and getting your horse involved with a fancy Halloween outfit is even more fun. Making costumes for horses takes a bit of imagination and probably more hot glue than you imagine, and it can be quite fun with your barn mates.
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Meaghan M’s flying dragon isn’t spooking anyone!
How to Make Costumes for Horses
- It begins with a DIY horse costume idea – witch, dragon, princess, sea horse, mermaid, you name it, you can make it.
- Once you have your idea, it’s time to source fabrics, paints, and accessories that complete the look. Then build/sew/cuss/measure/more cussing/fit, and you are done.
- But what types of “ingredients” or supplies help you make a great costume? You can source from the barn, a craft store, or shop online for a ready-made, fun costume.
Thanks to Jane S for this cute pair!
Barn items that transform into a Halloween costume for horses
- Polo wraps – available in every color under the sun and then some. Many brands have clever patterns or seasonal designs that add fall fun.
- Fly bonnets can be altered to reflect a costume idea and act as an anchor for safe decorations.
- Hoodies and nylon horse “underwear” come in dozens of colors and patterns, making for a comfortable and fitted Halloween outfit. Stitching more fabric or felt into this base layer is also easy.
- Cotton sheets and coolers can also be a base layer to add details. Fly sheets could also work but tend to be lighter and less structurally sound than cotton or nylon sheets.
- Saddle pads can serve as a little pop of color.
- Halters and bridles can help secure costume parts.
- Show Touch Up spray is pigment in a can that comes in primary colors, like chestnut, black, gray, and white. It’s helpful in painting your horse with more neutral colors.
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Things you can purchase to make a great horse or rider costume
- Hats – Yes, you can buy horse hats. For all sorts of holidays!
- Specialty fly bonnets – These may have logos of popular themes like Superman, pumpkins, spiders, and more.
- Fancy polo wraps – Nothing says Halloween more than bright orange polos on your horse’s legs.
- Seasonal saddle pads – If there’s a reason for the season, there’s a saddle pad.
- Quarter sheets that celebrate the season – Just like saddle pads!
- Horse-safe paints – Livestock paints come in various bright colors and make for safe painting.
- Glitter for manes, tails, hooves, and more – Opt for horse-safe brands, like the famous Twinkle Toes.
- Tinsel for manes and tails – You can attach tinsel to your horse’s mane and tail for shimmer.
- Felt – Felt is the most versatile costume “ingredient” around! Using colorful felt gives structure and dimension and can be glued to plain white fabric or the pattern of your choice.
- Fake flowers – Every little girl and their pony needs a flower crown!
- Stencils – Use stencils with glitter sprays, clippers (if you dare!), or livestock paints.
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Where to shop for costume components
- Hit up the Halloween pop-up costume store for you! Party stores have tons of rider Halloween costume options.
- Etsy can be an excellent resource for homemade wigs, and craft stores have supplies like felt, sewing supplies, and stencils.
Francis G and friends have a theme, with Dorothy the horse.
What comfortable and durable materials are recommended?
- If the fabric is breathable and comfortable, start there. Stick to fabrics you know work well for blankets, as your horse is already used to those. Fleece coolers are another option. Your horse needs fabrics and fit that won’t impede movement or create rubs or discomfort.
More Tips to Dress Up Your Horse:
- Make sure you give your horse a trial run in their costume before you hop on. For elaborate get-ups, you may need to try pieces at a time.
- Have extra people to help if your horse’s Halloween costume frightens them or their buddies. Your horse may think they make the perfect rainbow unicorn with wings and wheels, but they might scare the daylights out of the barn mates.
- Go for costumes that don’t inhibit movement. Using blankets or nylon sleazy undies as the base is helpful for this.
- Test drive using a saddle and bridle while wearing the outfit. You may need to make alterations.
- Does your barn have a theme? You could go in with your barn friends to have matching horse Halloween costumes.
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Keep a Horse Halloween Outfit Safe
- Make sure your horse’s costume is break-away. If the outfit could get caught on something, like a door, gate, fence, jump standard, another human, or even your leg, it should give way so your horse can escape.
- How noisy is the costume? Sound-sensitive horses may appreciate your creative skills less if they are scared of the sound the costume makes. It doesn’t have to be a bell or whistle, it could be the fabric flapping or rubbing. Use ear puffs to help muffle any weird costume noises if this could be an issue.
- How flappy is your horse’s Halloween costume? Ticklish, skittish, and scardey cat horses won’t like a costume that flaps about them.
- Avoid pieces and parts that can tangle a leg or jaw.
- Skip any costumes that have actual armor, metal, or other material that can have sharp edges.
- If you attach anything to a halter or bridle, like a unicorn horn, ensure it’s soft and cannot poke an eye.
- Find substitutes for metal frames, like those that would create spider legs.
- Know that paint or glitter on your horse’s legs can end up as face paint if they rub. Show Touch Up won’t rub and are better than paints if you need neutral colors.
- Avoid using human hair dyes to darken a black horse or color a light horse. Human hair dye is for humans! Use a sheet or blanket instead.
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Other horses and riders
- Notice your horse’s body language while wearing a Halloween outfit and their reaction to any other decorated horses.
- Many horses are already suspicious of donkeys, minis, and fake horses, like a rocking horse. Be aware of your horse’s reactions to these creatures before letting your horse see the donkey or miniature horse dressed like a reindeer, tiger, or anything else unusual.
- If you dress up as well, don’t compromise your vision, hands, or legs. Being a pirate with a hook hand, peg leg, and eye patch is a great way to end up in the dirt.
What are other occasions to dress up your horse?
- You don’t have to wait for Halloween to dress up your horse. Parades, some horse shows, and parties often feature costumed horses. There are many options for seasonal and holiday horse saddle pads, boots, and blankets. It’s not uncommon for horses to dress like reindeer or elves during the winter holidays.
Go forth and have fun!
Thanks Amy G for this pic!
Carolyn SB sent this gem over!
Go shopping!
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Shapley's Show Touch Up Color Enhancer, Medium Brown
$16.99
Cover scars and enhance your horse's color with this medium brown shade.
02/14/2025 09:20 am GMT
