Horse Illustrated Magazine

“Pink is a big color right now,” offers Mike Tell, a sales rep from Hooves and Paws tack store located in Apple Valley, Calif. He gestures to a western saddle that’s undeniably pinked out with a rosy-toned seat made of leather embossed to look like ostrich hide. There’s even a matching bridle that sports pink trim.

When asked if this sort of colorful tack is only for the barrel racing crowd, he explains that while the rodeo riders and gamers were the ones that colored tack originally appealed to, “now pink is finding its way into the show pen in pleasure classes, too, although of course in very subtle ways.”

So what’s the deal with all the pink?

“Well, I think it all started with the ‘Are You Tough Enough to Wear Pink’ campaign,” Tell says, alluding to the charitable movement in the western riding world to raise money for breast cancer research and treatment. “People got used to seeing the color and they liked it.”

And then there’s the ostrich leather. That’s been a favorite choice for western boots, but now the distinctive, dotted leather look is showing up on saddles, too. Tell motioned to a row of synthetic saddles. “Even some of those models are available with ‘ostrich’ seats,” he says.

So, if you’re into this fashion get it while it’s hot; you never know what the next trend may bring.

Also Read: Tough Enough to Wear Pink Initiative Raises Record Funds?