Halloween is one of the best times of the year, full of spooky vibes, ancient traditions, and most importantly…costumes! The best night of the year for dressing up and becoming whoever you want to be.
Now, if you’re a horse person, and have an equine companion that you absolutely adore, you probably spend your life wanting to share everything with them. And why wouldn’t you? Horses are highly intelligent and thrive from social connection, plus they deserve to have some fun experiences to share with you!
This is why you should absolutely celebrate Halloween with your horse, by dressing up together. Not only will it be super fun, but you will also be completely show-stopping because let’s face it…the costume possibilities with your horse are a gold mine. Think of the cool photos you will get! And how impressed everyone will be!
If you struggle with coming up with ideas, and you’re already panicking about what the hell you and your horse are going to dress up as…don’t worry.
We’ve got you covered! We have compiled a list of some of the best Halloween costumes for horses (along with matching ideas for you). Plus, we’ll give you some tips and important warnings, to ensure that your horse’s costume is safe and comfortable.
Let’s get right into it!
Best Halloween costume ideas for your horse:
The costume ideas for you and your horse are essentially infinite, the imagination is your only limit. Well, your imagination, and the means you have to bring the costume you think of to life, of course.
Here are some of the most popular horse costumes, that are also fairly easy to make:
Dead of the day horse
(photo taken from https://www.pinterest.es/pin/91901648636286216/)
This is a super simple Halloween costume, perfect for Halloween and for getting into the day of the dead spirit. It’s a great way to go for something traditionally iconic, and both you and your horse can wear matching patterns and colors!
All you will need are some safe paints to use on your horse (and on yourself) and a lot of patience and time to go through with it!
Skeleton horse
(photo taken from https://www.pinterest.es/pin/420171840243925536/)
This is by far one of the coolest Halloween costume ideas that you can carry out with your equine friend. You simply paint your horse like a skeleton, with some white paint, and then dress yourself up as a matching skeleton! Alternatively, you could dress up as death itself, with a black hooded cape, and have your horse be the only skeleton!
However, we will say that this costume works best for black horses, as the white paint is able to properly contrast. If your horse has a lighter coat, maybe paint the bones on with black paint instead!
Dragon horse
(photo taken from https://www.pinterest.es/pin/173318285651982843/)
There are endless combinations for turning your horse into a completely unique dragon. From the colors to the design, and the accessories that you have them wear. One option is to just use paint and draw on the scales and the dragon design. Another option is to combine paints with some accessories, like maybe some dragon horns or spikes. And a third option is to create a dragon headpiece, maybe even some wings, and add them to your horse in a secured manner!
You could then dress up as a dragon to match your horse, or you could choose to complement their costume by being a knight, or a princess, or a fairy!
Unicorn horse
(photo taken from https://www.pinterest.es/pin/560416747385332598/)
Turning your horse into a unicorn is incredibly easy, all you need is a horn, and you can either make one or buy one. They can easily strap on around the head to be secure!
Of course, you can then take it a step further by adding more magical elements onto your horse such as flowers, or specks of magic dust.
You could then dress up as a maiden pure of heart, or be a fairy. Anything magical, really!
Warhorse
(photo taken from https://www.pinterest.es/pin/9288742972043227/)
If you want to dress up your horse (and yourself) in the most epic and badass of ways for Halloween, why not go full warhorse? You could go for something fancy, and buy some actual horse armor, as there are several online stores that have some accessible options. You could also get yourself some matching armor!
Alternatively, you could try making some DIY horse armor that is cheaper, and that will still look good. All you would need is some cardboard or foam, and to cut everything up, paint it, and attach it so that it can be worn by your horse.
Medieval horse
(photo taken from https://www.pinterest.es/pin/497929302526119624/)
Another awesome Halloween costume that you and your horse could show off, is a medieval outfit. You could be a knight, or a peasant, or a squire, or a princess…basically anything medieval-inspired. Your horse could wear a traditional jousting blanket.
Not only could you reuse a blanket you already have by painting it, but you could also just create one very easily out of some fabric! Pair it with a long stick, and you’ll be ready for winning whatever event you’re attending.
Zombie horse
(photo taken from https://www.pinterest.es/pin/324470348154617662/)
If you like Halloween for its horror aspects, and you want to go full spooky, why not a zombie? This one is super easy, and super fun, as you could get as creative as you want.
For this one, we recommend using paints, and also maybe some safe fake blood. You can then go wild creating open wounds, falling-out organs, dirt, and all sorts. Maybe even teach your horse to get into character and limp about!
Princess horse
(photo taken from https://www.pinterest.es/pin/76350156173677853/)
Is there anything cuter than a little girl and her horse dressed in matching princess outfits? Some pink fabric, maybe a tulle skirt, a little crown, and plenty of sparkles, ready to dazzle the world.
The thing with this is that you can get super creative too, it doesn’t have to be a stereotypical pink princess, it could be a themed princess, with plenty of options for adults that want something more mature. You could even be a dark evil princess, to match the Halloween spirit.
Devil horse
(photo taken from https://www.pinterest.es/pin/1548181131715592/)
Does your horse ever misbehave? Do you ever think they’ve come straight from hell to make your life difficult? Halloween is the perfect chance to dress them up as what they are: a mischievous devil. Plus, this costume is super simple. All you need is some red fabric draped over your horse, and some red horns to go on their head. It’s great as a last-minute option since it’s so simple.
You could then dress up as a matching devil, or contrast the situation by being an angel!
Pirate horse
(photo taken from https://www.pinterest.es/pin/598064025524389130/)
This is one of our favorite costume options for you and your horse, mainly because it can look super good, and it’s smooth as hell. You could go for a simple and more “childish” pirate look, or go hard and embrace the full darkness of a lord of the seas. All you need is some fabrics, a head ribbon for your horse, and plenty of jangly coins and decorative accessories that you can braid into your horse’s hair. And you could of course dress up as a pirate that matches the whole vibe, ready for plunder and murder! (Hypothetically, please don’t actually plunder and murder!)
Alternatively, you could use some paints, and turn your horse into an equine flag by painting on a big skull with crossed bones.
Giraffe horse
(photo taken from https://www.pinterest.es/pin/219128338109496460/)
If you want to camouflage your horse by turning them into a completely different animal for Halloween, why not dress up as something like a giraffe? All it takes is some paint (and a lot of patience) and you can completely transform them. It doesn’t even have to be a giraffe either, you could paint your horse as a zebra, or as an elephant, or a panda bear…the options are endless!
You could then dress up as an animal too, or could even wear a zookeeper outfit!
Disney costume
(photo taken from https://www.pinterest.es/pin/48061921125048128/)
Disney movies have captured the hearts of many people, and not only children but adults too! It’s those sorts of stories that can always be enjoyed, no matter the age, as they are full of nostalgia and a feel-good ending. So why not dress up as your favorite Disney characters?
In the above picture, the horse is dressed as Olaf, and the rider as Elsa, which is pretty iconic. But you could put your horse in any Disney costume you like, and then become the complementary character yourself!
Superhero costume
(photo taken from https://www.pinterest.es/pin/1477812365795722/)
Do you want to save the day on Halloween? Why not dress your horse up as a superhero? (Or a villain, if you’d prefer). In this example, we have the horse as Robin, and the rider as Batman, which is pretty cool. You could also have the reverse, or do different characters entirely. Both Marvel and DC are full of iconic duos, so there is plenty to choose from!
Lord of the Rings – Ring wraith costume:
(photo taken from https://www.pinterest.es/pin/283023157815766118/)
If you’re into the Lord of the Rings, an absolute classic of high fantasy, an amazing Halloween costume idea is to go as a ring wraith. These creatures are creepy and spooky, and how convenient it is that they ride a horse!
All you need for this horse is plenty of black fabrics that are torn and weathered, to drape over yourself and your horse, and plenty of black accessories. If you ride up to someone in this costume, they will either freak out and run or will have their jaws drop in awe.
Mermaid horse
(photo taken from https://www.pinterest.es/pin/171277592069024864/)
If you’re into mermaids and how magical they look, you could turn your horse into one! Or at the very least, into the idea of one. The best way to go about it would be to hang lots of mermaid-related items on your horse’s hair, like seashells, nets, seaweed, and similar. You could also get a cute mermaid tail accessory for your horse’s tail.
You yourself could dress up as a mermaid, the person in the photo example is even wearing a full-on tail, although that could make it a little hard to ride the horse.
Basically, just have a lot of colorful sea-themed accessories, and maybe drape some fishing netting over the horse’s saddle, as an extra touch.
Patriotic horse
(photo taken from https://www.pinterest.es/pin/17310779792996058/)
If you want to show love for your country on Halloween, you could always dress your horse up as the patriotic flag, no matter which one that is! All it would take is some paint, and the ability to paint on the right pattern.
You could also pair this with some accessories that remind people of that country, as in stereotypical things from the place that instantly makes people go “ah your horse is dressed as the US!”.
Witch horse
(photo taken from https://www.pinterest.es/pin/472878029602700832/)
One of the most iconic Halloween costumes of all time, and one of the more traditional options, is to go as a witch. And why not? Halloween is definitely a night for witches! This is a super easy costume to go for, as even a few simple accessories will be effective for a good final look.
You could dress your horse up as a witch, and wear a matching witch outfit yourself. Or if you want something a little more fun, you could turn your horse into the broom that your witchy self is riding! In the picture we used as the example there is literally a small broom attached to the horse!
Cobweb horse
(photo taken from https://www.pinterest.es/pin/687502699376612082/)
If you want something really simple, that is incredibly visual, you could dress your horse up in spider cobwebs. It’s very apt for Halloween, and you can find bags of fake cobwebs in most costume stores, for really cheap. You just have to spread them over your horse, and as they are very lightweight, they won’t get in the way of your horse’s mobility at all!
You could also wear cobwebs over yourself, or if you want to take it to the next level, you could dress up as a spider!
Important tips and warnings when putting your horse in a Halloween costume:
Dressing your horse up in a Halloween costume is a lot of fun, and something that you can do by yourself, or in a group of friends, or as part of an event. It’s a creative and engaging way to bond with your equine companion, and a memory you will treasure forever. Plus, your horse will look amazing!
However, it is important to keep in mind that the safety and the comfort of your horse should remain the top priority. This means that there are limitations to the costumes that you can put on your horse, in that the costume should always be safe and comfortable. If it isn’t, then it is not worth forcing it on, no matter how cool it would be.
So just to make sure that everything goes smoothly, and that you can have as much fun as possible, without anything going wrong or causing harm, we’re going to give you some tips, and some warnings.
Tips for your horse’s Halloween costume
- Paints are the best way to dress your horse up for Halloween, however, not just any paints. We recommend using water-based non-toxic paints!
- When painting on a darker colored horse, slowly build up the color through multiple layers, or else it won’t be very visible!
- Make the most out of old fabrics and items that you already have. Old horse gear can be great, as you can paint and customize it, and turn it into an outfit.
- Use the horse’s saddle and bridle in order to better secure the costume on, by looping it underneath, or attaching it with a strong knot.
- Buy cheap accessories, then customize them yourself to fit your horse!
- Focus on the parts of the horse that will be the most visible: the head, the rear, and the hair.
Warnings about your horse’s Halloween costume
- Before painting your horse, make sure to test the paint on a small patch of coat, to ensure that it is safe and that it is visible.
- When buying horse-specific accessories, such as armor, or similar, make sure to measure your horse so that they fit, and are not too tight!
- When creating your own costumes, make sure that they are comfortable. They should fit your horse with some space to spare, and they should be smooth, with nothing poking into your horse.
- When putting a headpiece on your horse, make sure it isn’t too heavy. Also, make sure it doesn’t get in the way of your horse’s movements!
- Ensure your horse has full mobility, and that there are no elements to the costume that could cause your horse to become stuck or trip.
Final thoughts
If you want to celebrate Halloween by dressing up with your equine friend, there are plenty of horse Halloween costumes that you can use for inspiration and endless possibilities as to what your outfits and looks could be.
From a simple look that uses some paint, to full-on outfits and accessories. There are plenty of ways to get your horse to resemble a specific character, or to embody a certain theme.
However, within the idea that you come up with, or the idea that you decide to follow from our list of suggestions, it is important to remember that safety and comfort should always come first for your horse!
