How to Draw a Horse in 4 Styles

Liputan6.com, Jakarta Learning how to draw a horse can be both exciting and challenging. Horses are powerful and graceful animals, and drawing them helps you improve your skills in observing shapes and movement. Whether you are a beginner or have some experience, this guide will help you get better.

The horse is a strong animal known for its speed, beauty, and strength. Many people love horses and enjoy drawing them for fun, school projects, or art practice. There are many ways to draw a horse, depending on the style you like—realistic, cartoon, rearing, or running.

In this article, we will share how to draw a horse in four different ways. From a full body horse to a rearing horse, this guide will help you learn to capture the beauty of this animal on paper in different poses. We gathered these guides from various sources, Thursday (24/7/2025).

Drawing a full body horse helps you learn about horse proportions and body parts. It is a good way to understand how the head, body, legs, and tail work together.

Step 1: Draw the Main Shapes

Start by drawing two circles—one smaller circle for the horse's head and a larger one for the body. Use a light pencil for this. Then, connect the two circles with a long curved line to create the neck.

Step 2: Add Guidelines

Draw a straight vertical line through the body to help align the horse's posture. Add four lines extending downward for the legs, and a shorter curved line where the tail will go.

Step 3: Sketch the Legs

Use a mix of straight and slightly curved lines to shape the front and back legs. Pay attention to the joints, placing small circles for knees and ankles. Make sure the legs look sturdy and proportional.

Step 4: Shape the Head and Neck

Begin shaping the horse's jawline, adding a soft curve for the nose and mouth. Sketch two pointed ears on top of the head and thicken the neck with gentle curves for a natural look.

Step 5: Draw the Back and Belly

Connect the head and chest smoothly using the neckline. Then, define the horse's back, belly, and hindquarters with rounded lines. Add a rough outline for the tail, flowing downward or slightly curved.

Step 6: Add the Mane and Tail

Draw the mane starting from the top of the head and down the neck. Use flowing, wavy lines for a realistic effect. For the tail, sketch long, curved lines to show the hair's thickness and movement.

Step 7: Final Details

Add eyes, nostrils, and hooves. Shape the hooves with flat bottoms and slight curves at the top. Define the muscle lines gently across the body and legs.

Step 8: Erase Guidelines

Use an eraser to remove the construction lines and any unnecessary shapes. Go over your final lines with a darker pencil or pen for a clean, finished look.

A cartoon horse is simpler and more fun. It has big eyes and round shapes. This style is great for kids or anyone who loves animation.

Step 1: Draw a Big Head

Start with a large round circle to form the head. Add two small curved triangles on top for the ears, giving your cartoon horse a cute look.

Step 2: Add the Face

Inside the head, draw two oversized eyes with shiny pupils. Sketch a small, round nose and a curved line for a happy, smiling mouth.

Step 3: Make the Body Small

Under the head, draw a small oval for the body. Connect the head and body with two short lines to form the neck.

Step 4: Draw Simple Legs

Use two straight vertical lines with small ovals at the bottom for each leg. Keep the legs short and chubby for a playful appearance. Add simple hooves by drawing horizontal lines across the bottom.

Step 5: Sketch the Mane and Tail

Add a fun, bouncy mane using curved or zigzag lines along the head and neck. Then, draw a rounded tail that swings up or down.

Step 6: Add Color and Details

You can add light patches, hearts, or star shapes on the horse's body. Use bright colors for a fun look. Shade the eyes to make them sparkle and outline a saddle or reins if desired.

Step 7: Final Touches

Trace your drawing with a dark pen or marker. Carefully erase leftover pencil marks to make your cartoon horse stand out.

A rearing horse stands on its back legs and looks dramatic. Drawing this pose teaches you how to show action and energy.

Step 1: Draw the Body Shapes

Sketch a medium-sized circle for the chest and another one behind it for the horse's hindquarters. Above the chest, draw a smaller circle for the head.

Step 2: Add the Neck and Spine

Connect the head to the chest using two long curved lines to shape the neck. Then, add a curved spine line from the chest to the back circle to show the arch of the body.

Step 3: Sketch the Front Legs Up

Draw the front legs raised high. Use long, slightly bent lines with small circles for joints. One leg can be bent more to show variation in motion.

Step 4: Draw the Back Legs

Sketch the hind legs planted firmly on the ground. Make sure they are strong and angled slightly forward to support the horse's weight. Add joints and hooves.

Step 5: Add the Head and Face

Refine the shape of the head by adding a rounded jaw, a wide nostril, and sharp ears pointing upward. Draw the eyes with emotion to match the energetic pose.

Step 6: Mane and Tail in Motion

Draw the mane flying backward in thick strands to show movement. The tail should lift and curve, giving a sense of wild energy.

Step 7: Clean Up and Finish

Add muscle lines, hooves, and any other details. Erase all guidelines and draw over your final lines to make your rearing horse bold and dynamic.

Drawing a running horse helps you show speed and motion. You will learn how to draw legs in action and flowing lines.

Step 1: Start With the Body

Draw two overlapping ovals—one larger for the chest and one slightly smaller for the back. Add a circle for the head and connect everything with smooth neck lines.

Step 2: Sketch the Leg Positions

Draw the front legs stretched forward and the back legs stretched behind. Use long curved lines with joints bent to suggest motion. Make the hooves point slightly upward or downward, depending on the leg.

Step 3: Shape the Head and Neck

Sketch the head turned slightly forward, with an open nostril and alert eyes. Draw a thick, stretched neck that shows the horse is pushing ahead with force.

Step 4: Add the Mane and Tail

Use long, sharp, flowing lines for the mane blowing in the wind. The tail should also fly back in thick strands, adding energy to the drawing.

Step 5: Detail the Legs and Body

Add curves to show muscle definition on the legs and chest. Draw hooves clearly with lines that suggest speed, like motion blurs.

Step 6: Final Drawing

Clean your drawing by erasing extra lines. Go over the final lines to make them darker, and add shading or short dash lines around the legs and tail to emphasize the fast movement.