As tattoos become more common, riders are taking inspiration from the barn for their new artwork. Many horse owners have small tattoos with equine themes, such as bits, spurs, or horseshoes. others have opted for full horse portraits!
But it’s not just horse lovers who get these amazing pieces of art! horse tattoos and symbols can have multiple meanings.
horse tattoos symbolize freedom and strength, characteristic features of a horse. Other horse tattoo meanings are bravery, grace, beauty, and companionship. other horse tattoos like a black horse represents death and a white horse represents nobility.
Celtic horses represent the sacred, while flaming horses show free will and inner strength. Mythical winged horses are often thought to represent free spirits and creativity, while tribal horses show a spiritual connection.
Find out more about the meaning of horses in our guide to the meaning and symbolism of horses.
here are 20 awesome horse tattoo ideas:
1. colorful horse leg tattoo
This stunning piece by abel miranda utilizes various tattoo styles for a stunning finished product. hard black lines with soft shading will stand the test of time.
This masterpiece incorporates hints of solid red and black geometric pieces for a trashy polka feel. the line is complemented by broad shades of gray and black with a dotted pattern.
The geometric pattern and unique eyes of the horse create a perfect balance between realism and neo-traditional.
2. horse & human connection
this is a little different than the rest, but this piece by sergio vila rivero captures the emotion of man and horse in such a simple horse tattoo.
3. colorful tribal horse tattoo
This abstract watercolor piece is beautifully executed. Although watercolor-style tattoos are very much in vogue, the use of these non-traditional shaded contrasting colors fades quickly. this artist used bold black lines to create the “base” of the horse.
This line is proven to stand the test of time and hold its shape on aging skin. Watercolor splashes add a bright and fun touch and won’t compromise the overall tattoo if the colors start to fade.
The horse’s face is also divided with cool and warm colours, creating an intensified contrast to enhance the impact of colour.
4. tribal horse on the arm
Here is a great tribal horse tattoo that takes up one side of the upper arm below the shoulder. great design that still shows many equine anatomical features such as the mane, mouth, eyes, and neck.
5. realistic horse face design
Russian artist Giena Revess tattooed this impressive horse on the bridle. Although Giena specializes in animal skin textures, this horse has to be one of the most detailed stud pieces we’ve ever seen!
It’s hard to tell much beyond the prominent, upright, cropped ears, soft, detailed eyes, and white-to-pink facial glow. but closer inspection reveals minute (and precise) details of a flashy dressage bridle and double mouth.
no detail is left out, including cheek buckles, a contoured cavesson and a padded crown.
6. running black horse
beautiful yet intricate black horse tattoo design running on the side of a woman.
7. unique horse tattoo design
denver based artist alix inked this original and exceptionally unique horse and rose tattoo. the combination of illustration and realism creates a magnificent work of art.
As mentioned in previous posts, this horse’s soft, realistic shading is sharpened on the “exposed” outer edges with a black line to maintain shape and beauty over time, while the interior is faithful to the genre of realism. the tattoo is rendered in layers, each one unique.
We love the bright touch of orange along with this black and gray theme. what a cool and unusual tattoo from certified tattoo studios!
8. sheet & black horse branch tattoo
This is just one example of the popular single line horse tattoos for women. Although the artist is unknown for this piece, he loves the simplicity of the design and the execution of the key curvature of the horse. Solid line tattoos are a popular choice, and we’re seeing more of these stylish cutout animal portraits.
With a partial face and no legs, this slightly abstract horse has key components to clearly identify the species while incorporating floral and lotus designs within.
9. beautiful horse & dog
a stunning little portrait of man’s two best friends:
10. tribal horse arm tattoo
Another great tribal horse tattoo that has a horse’s name underneath. An amazing horse tattoo and memorial idea!
11. Blindfolded Horse & rose design
While still traditional in nature, what do you think of this unique twist on a horse tattoo? we’d love to know the meaning behind the bandage.
12. pegasus full sleeve tattoo
although not a typical “horse”, we had to include this amazing pegasus from dario castle:
13. unique equine tattoo design
although not your typical piece that makes you feel warm and fuzzy, this version of the pharaoh of the horses by rob borbas is absolutely stunning and creepy :
14. combination of tattoos on the forearm
Horse conformation is a difficult subject to capture properly.
the tattooist quin hernandez has mastered this art form. this is one of the many equine pieces that who has created. specializes in black and gray realism and excels at animal portraits.
Once you look past the impressive mane and forelock, you can see the details of the animal’s muscles and vascularity. the crown band and ears even show traces of hair!
15. horse and tribal llama
another example of a sharp tribal horse tattoo that covers most of the upper arm.
16. beautiful horse leg design
While we can’t locate the talented artist behind this stunning piece, we just had to share it.
Many realistic animal portraits are rendered in black and white, but this artist even captures the sheen of the “copper penny” on a chestnut’s coat.
The piece includes shadows and details around the horse’s orbital cavities, wrinkles and bone structure on the face, and even a chestnut on the horse’s inner forearm!
customer is surely an equestrian to have the patience and pain tolerance for such a detailed piece; note the horse’s cannon that sits directly above his knee. ouch!
17. horse head bridle & blocks
head of horse with bridle in full color with 3d blocks. this is a beautiful and unique design for someone who wants a realistic and colorful tattoo of their horse.
18. beautiful horse head tattoo idea
a magnificent and ornate piece done at cloak and dagger tattoo in london:
19. peacock & horse design idea
imrich kovacs is the artist behind this gorgeous peacock and horse tattoo. This piece is representative of his characteristic style with vibrant and contrasting colors with an avant-garde style.
Although he takes core elements from traditional tattoos, his illustrative style work incorporates “new school” colors with thick lines and whip shading.
This equine piece almost radiates warmth in the “eye” of the feather design inside the horse. the shading and black lines will stay strong over time, helping the colors remain distinctive and bold.
20. geometric horse & shape design
21. colorful shire horse manga design
This beautiful sleeve tattoo of a shire horse is on sandra shutz’s arm.
22. horse head tattoo on the back
23. running horse watercolor tattoo
Watercolor tattoos are one of the latest trends and this beautiful design combines it with a running horse. Placing this tattoo on the arm gives the horse more movement and makes it easy to wear.
24. horse and wolf
A beautiful combination of horse and wolf head tattoo with a tribal touch. Great for a horse lover who has a wolf as his spirit animal!
25. native american dreamcatcher
26. black horse head tattoo pencil drawing
This piece is a unique “pencil sketch” tattoo, Inez Janiak’s special style. Although inez creates many masterpieces with this sketch-style design, his abstract equine piece stands out.
the line features bold and soft strokes for a distinctive and impressive piece! the butterfly mask is bold and conveys emotion, while the line of the shoulders meets an outlined tulip.
This beautiful Native American dreamcatcher tattoo looks perfectly placed on a woman’s upper arm. To ward off evil spirits or for your own unique meaning, a dream catcher and a horse is a creative combination.
27. colorful full side horse tattoo
With a colorful running chestnut horse and a rose, this is a beautiful tattoo design for a woman. would look created on the side, back, or upper thigh.
28. horse tattoo on full back
29. horse head memorial tattoo idea
This realistic black horse head tattoo is a great design idea if you are commemorating your lost companion.
30. gypsy vanner head design
Another beautiful horse head tattoo design from gypsy vanner.
31. single line horse head arm tattoo
This beautiful horse head and mane tattoo is drawn from a single line. Created by Mo Gandji, drawing tattoos with a single line is the unique signature of him.
32. indian style horse and gems
33. woman & hugging horse
34. full color horse back tattoo
35. horse head floral design
36. colorful horse & stable idea
37. black horse face on woman’s arm
38. horse with flower mane
39. unique horse cinematography design
40. horse heartbeat tattoo
simple, but beautiful. We horse lovers live and die for horses, so this minimalist design is perfect.
41. simple black horse tattoo
This simple horse tattoo shows just enough to let the mind wander. a simple single line outline shows a shadowed horse trotting “out”.
Based on this knee action and perceived short face, can we assume this is representative of a trotting morgan? looks like a road jog to us!
The simplicity and stunning contrast of black and gray make this contemporary tattoo an intriguing piece.
42. cosmic horse tattoo
a cosmic realistic tattoo with a davinci feel from dr. woo:
43. horse head tattoo
This is a beautiful and fun horse head tattoo with a unique take using bright/white ink on the forelock and whiskers.
44. simple abstract horse
This minimal abstract design is clever and probably has a secret meaning. the lower half of a running horse topped with flowers makes this a beautiful tattoo idea for women.
45. horse with a tribal touch
This strong and aggressive tribal horse tattoo is our latest pick. We hope you have enjoyed our selection of the best horse tattoos.
