Neon is the New Black

There is nothing quite like a British summer. We get that fleeting window of time where we are not permanently damp, and the Sussex mud has finally turned into that rock-hard, hoof-cracking clay we all know and love. We happily trade our heavy rugs for fly sheets, we swap our wellies for slightly less caked-in-mud riding boots, and we head out for those long, hazy evening hacks thinking we are absolutely winning at life.

But here is the thing (and I will freely admit that I have been guilty of this too): we tend to think that once the clocks go forward and the sun finally deigns to show its face, we can chuck the hi-vis gear into the very back of the tack room until October. We imagine that because we can see the world in high-definition glory, everyone else on the road or the trails can see us just as clearly.

Spoiler alert: they really, really cannot.

Between the blinding low sun glare that turns every car windscreen into a sheet of white light and those gorgeous, zebra-stripe dappled shadows on the country lanes, our four-legged best friends have a funny way of just disappearing. It is like they have a secret superpower for blending into the hedgerows exactly when a car comes round the blind corner.

That is exactly why I am officially declaring that neon is the new black this season. We do not do boring "workman yellow" around here. We do fashionable safety that actually looks good enough to wear to a championship show, okay maybe not but at least good enough to make the neighbours incredibly jealous.

The Feral Summers and The Shetland Hustle

My obsession with these bold, electric colours did not just appear out of nowhere. It started in the long, golden summers of my childhood. I grew up in a tiny village called Telscombe with my best mate, Eliza. Back then, "after school" meant absolute feral freedom on the South Downs. We had sun in our hair, chalk dust on our boots, and the kind of laughter that carries right across a valley.

At the start of the school holidays, we would be out there hanging from either end of a lunge line, trying to politely negotiate with two extremely clever Shetlands named Tamara and Silver. Those two ponies loved their freedom and absolutely knew they were faster than us. They were brilliantly determined to be wild for five more minutes. You would think you had them cornered, and then, blink, there they go! Their tiny legs would be flying, living their best outlaw lives while Eliza and I did an unplanned sprint in our wellies.

Those Shetland escapades were my first real lesson in what horses actually need from their gear. It has to be practical, secure, comfortable, and ready for whatever absolute nonsense the day throws at you.

Eliza was pure neon joy. She was an 80s-loving soul with absolutely no time for anything dull. That exact energy, the spirit that made our summers feel so electric, is the inspiration behind the brightest colours in my workshop today.

The Shadow Dance: Why Your Bay Horse is Actually a Ninja

If you have ever ridden through a tunnel of trees on a bright July afternoon, you will know exactly what I mean about the "Shadow Dance". One second you are in blinding sunlight, and the next you are in a deep, cool shadow.

For a driver’s eyes, that rapid transition is an absolute nightmare. It takes a few crucial seconds for their pupils to adjust to the change in light. In those few seconds, a bay horse or a chocolate spaniel becomes practically invisible against the dark bark and leafy greens of the woods.

It is not just the shadows that cause problems. The low sun in the early morning or late evening is the "golden hour" we all love for our photos. However, it is actually the most dangerous time on the bridleways. Drivers are squinting, sun visors are down, and unless you are wearing something that screams for attention, you are just another dark silhouette hidden in the glare.

The Neon Holy Trinity (And Friends)

When I started Ponies & Pups, I knew I wanted to create gear that was tough as nails but still looked absolutely incredible. I wanted to create high-vis for people who genuinely hate traditional hi-vis. Today, my workshop is filled with 21 incredible BioThane colours, but there is a specific group of shades I call my "Holy Trinity" of summer safety.

First up is Electric Green. This is a neon green that puts actual spring grass to shame! When I braid this into a collar or a lead, I pair the bright neon main colour with sleek black and light lime green secondary cords, all finished with matte black plated hardware. It gives a really sharp, modern, industrial-sport look that offers maximum visibility in low light.

Then we have Foxy Fire. This is a neon orange so bright it should probably come with a warning label. It represents the absolute gold standard in visibility. I combine this vivid neon orange main strap with black, neon yellow, and burnt orange secondary cords, again finished with that sleek matte black hardware. It brings a warm, fiery energy to your ride and makes it completely impossible for a driver to miss you.

Rounding out the trinity is Melon Fizz. This is the pinkest pink to ever pink! It is a juicy, vivid neon pink main strap contrasted with fresh neon green and black secondary cords, finished with matte black hardware. It is playful, fun, and guaranteed to bring summer holiday vibes to your gear all year round.

Of course, the neon party does not stop there. If you want something a little cooler, we have Blue Raspberry. This is a mouth-watering mix of an electric blue main strap spiked with light blue, lime green, and fuchsia secondary cords, finished with polished chrome hardware.

Or, for the pet with massive main character energy, there is Wild Foxglove: an intense fuchsia main strap clashing beautifully with purple, pink, and blue accents, also finished in bright chrome.

The beauty of these specific colours is not just that they look incredible against a summer tan. It is that they are not natural colours! You will not find Melon Fizz in a hawthorn hedge. You will not find Electric Green hiding in the shadows of a giant oak tree. When a driver sees that flash of neon, their brain instantly registers that something unusual is ahead, and they naturally slow down.

Spicy Insurance for the Ponies

If you have a horse that is a bit opinionated, you probably already know the immense value of a neck strap. My own chestnut mare, Patsy, is currently acting like a 500kg fire-breathing dragon who is deeply convinced that a rogue daffodil is out for blood. Spring fever has hit her hard!

Even for the steadiest of steeds, I like to think of our BioThane Adjustable Neck Straps as a bit of "spicy insurance." It is there if you need a grab handle during a sudden spook at a scary butterfly. In these neon shades, it serves a brilliant dual purpose. Because it sits right on the horse’s neck and chest, it is often the very first thing a driver sees coming towards them through the hedge. A Foxy Fire or Electric Green neck strap is basically a neon sign saying "Please do not squash us."

And because I use genuine BioThane and premium climbing-grade rope, these are not flimsy plastic bits of gear that will snap or crack in the summer heat. They are completely waterproof, stink-proof, and wipe-clean. You can literally hurl them in a bucket of soapy water after a sweaty, dusty hack and they will look brand new in seconds.

Fashion Meets Fetch for the Pups

Let’s not forget the dogs. My own lot have an incredible talent for finding the tallest, un-mown grass the absolute second they are let off the lead.

Milo, my Sprocker Spaniel, is the physical embodiment of the word chaos. He vibrates through life at high speed. If he is wearing a dark brown collar, he might as well be wearing an invisibility cloak. Putting him in a bright Melon Fizz or Blue Raspberry collar from our Classic or Firle range is a total game-changer. Suddenly, my little mud monster is a highly visible, incredibly stylish mud monster.

And let us be real about the mud. A Sprocker does not just walk past a pond; they belly-flop into it. Traditional leather would soak up that swampy water, stiffen up, and smell like a Victorian sewer for weeks. My BioThane gear does not absorb a single drop. When Milo emerges from his daily "mud spa", I can just rinse his bright neon collar under the outside tap. The dirt vanishes, the smell washes away, and the bright neon colour stays exactly as vibrant as the day I made it.

Be Conspicuously Colourful

I am not selling official, certified PPE here. If you are riding on a 60mph A-road in thick fog, please wear your full reflective gear! But for those of us pottering through the lanes and bridleways on a sunny Tuesday afternoon, these neon pieces offer a massive safety boost without making you look like you are about to go out and direct traffic.

Section 50 of the Highway Code suggests wearing light-coloured or fluorescent clothing in daylight. Honestly, why wouldn't you want to, especially when it looks this good?

Safety does not have to be boring. It does not have to be strictly workmanlike or dull. It can be bright, it can be incredibly fun, and it can be just as unique as your animal's chaotic personality. So as you head out on your next hack or muddy dog walk, have a look at the shadows around you. If you think you might be blending into the background, maybe it is time to add a little splash of neon to your life.

Right now, I can hear a certain chestnut mare banging her hoof against her stable door because her dinner is exactly thirty seconds late, so I had better run! Stay safe out there, stay visible, and most importantly.... Stay Colourful!