Step-by-Step Tutorial
In each picture below, the red lines are the new lines for that step. The black lines are what you have already drawn.
Step 1: Draw the Forehead and Nose
Start near the top-left area of your paper, leaving plenty of space below and to the right for the body. Draw one long line that slopes down for the forehead and nose, then curve it around at the bottom to form the upper lip.
Step 2: Draw the Mouth, Chin and Jaw
Below the upper lip, add a small curve for the lower lip and chin. Then draw a line from the chin going back and upward, rounding it out to form the big cheek and jaw. A horse’s jaw is wide and round, so don’t be afraid to make this curve generous.
Step 3: Draw the Top of the Head and the Ear
Continue from the forehead to draw the top of the head. Add the first ear as a tall, pointed leaf shape standing upright. Draw a small tuft of hair at the front for the forelock, the bit of mane that falls between the ears.
Step 4: Draw the Eye and Nostril
Place the eye about one-third of the way down the head, closer to the top than to the nose. Draw it as a small almond shape and fill in the center. Add a short line under the eye for the cheekbone, and a small curved mark near the tip of the nose for the nostril.
Step 5: Draw the Second Ear and Face Details
Draw the second ear just behind the first one. Add a few extra strands to the forelock, plus some small lines on the face and around the muzzle. These little details make the head look more realistic.
Step 6: Draw the Mane Outline
Starting just behind the ears, draw a long curved line going down and to the right. This is the top of the neck and mane. Let the end break into a few pointed tips of hair.
Step 7: Draw the Mane Hair Strands
Now fill in the lower edge of the mane. Draw a row of flowing, pointed locks hanging down along the neck. Vary their lengths a little so the mane looks natural instead of perfectly even.
Step 8: Draw the Neck and Chest
From under the jaw, draw a line down for the front of the neck. As it goes lower, let it bulge forward to form the rounded chest, then curve back in where the front leg will begin.
Step 9: Draw the Front Leg and Hoof
Draw the first front leg going straight down from the chest. Add a small bump halfway down for the knee and another just above the hoof for the fetlock joint. Finish with a small, slanted hoof at the bottom.
Step 10: Draw the Back and Rump
From the end of the mane, draw the back line going right. Let it dip very slightly in the middle, then rise and curve down into a big, rounded rump. Make the body long enough; horses are longer than most people expect.
Step 11: Draw the Belly Line
Draw a gently curved line from the top of the front leg toward the back of the body. This is the belly. Stop where the back leg will start.
Step 12: Draw the Hind Leg
From the rump, draw the first back leg. Unlike the front leg, the back leg has a sharp joint called the hock that points backward. Draw the thigh coming down, bend the line back at the hock, then go straight down to the hoof.
Step 13: Draw the Second Hind Leg
Draw the second back leg just behind the first. Because it’s farther away, part of it is hidden behind the first leg, so you only draw the visible edges.
Step 14: Draw the Second Front Leg
Add the last leg behind the first front leg. Your horse now stands on all four legs. Check that all four hooves sit on roughly the same ground level.
Step 15: Draw the Tail and Details
Draw a long, flowing tail from the top of the rump, letting it hang down with a few wavy strands. Then add small detail lines: a few strokes in the mane, a line on the chest and shoulder for muscle, and short lines on the legs and hooves.
Step 16: Draw the Grass
Add some spiky tufts of grass around the hooves. This “grounds” your horse so it looks like it is standing in a field instead of floating on the page.
Step 17: Your Horse Drawing Is Finished!
Go over your final lines with a darker pencil or marker and erase any extra pencil marks. Well done, you have just drawn a horse!
Common Mistakes When Drawing a Horse
These are the mistakes beginners make most often, and how to fix them.
- Legs that are too short or too thin. Horse legs are long. A useful rule: the depth of the body (from the top of the back down to the belly) is about the same as the length of the legs (from the belly to the ground). If your horse looks like a dachshund, make the legs longer.
- Straight, stiff legs. Real horse legs have joints. Add a bump for the knee on the front legs, and remember the hock on the back legs points backward.
- A head that is too big or too small. A horse’s head is long and fairly large. If the head is tiny, the horse looks like a toy. If it’s huge, it looks like a cartoon. Compare it with the neck: the neck should be a bit longer than the head.
- A neck that is too short. The neck should rise up and forward from the chest in a strong curve. A short neck makes the horse look like a cow.
- Forgetting the hooves. Don’t let the legs end in points. Every leg needs a small, solid hoof at the bottom.
- Running out of space on the page. Start the head near the top-left of your paper so there is room for the long body, tail and legs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to draw a horse?
With this tutorial, most beginners finish the line drawing in about 15–20 minutes. Adding color or shading can take another 15–30 minutes.
Is drawing a horse hard for beginners?
Horses look difficult because of their long legs and curved neck, but breaking the drawing into small steps makes it much easier. In this tutorial, each step adds only one or two new parts, so you never have to draw the whole horse at once.
What age is this horse drawing tutorial for?
Children around 7 and older can usually follow it on their own. Younger kids can do it with a little help from a parent or teacher, especially with the legs.
How do I draw horse legs correctly?
Draw the front legs mostly straight with a small bump for the knee. Draw the back legs with a backward-pointing bend called the hock. Make the legs long, about the same length as the depth of the body, and always finish each leg with a hoof.
How can I make my horse drawing look more realistic?
Add small details like the nostril, cheekbone and muscle lines on the chest and shoulder. Then add soft shading under the belly, under the jaw and on the far legs. Looking at real horse photos while you draw also helps a lot.
Can I draw this horse digitally?
Yes. You can follow the same steps in any drawing app, such as Procreate, Ibis Paint or Krita. Use a separate layer for your sketch so you can erase it easily after inking the final lines.