Horse Spirit Animal Symbolism & Meaning

Written by Crystal
Updated: June 7, 2023
Share on:

Advertisement


Horse Spirit Animal  infographic
Horse Spirit Animal infographic

Horses have expansive energy. Before the domestication of horses, long distances kept societies from interacting. Then the horse came along, and everything changed. Horses have served us in agriculture, travel, war, and other significant milestones of humanity’s journey. Their long history explains why horse symbolism is complex. A horse can symbolize desires, but it can also signify new beginnings.

Read on if you want to know more about horse spirit animal symbolism.

Horse as a Spirit Animal

Horse, Animals In The Wild, Colorado, Mustang - Wild Horse, Leadership

If you have the horse as your spirit animal then you value your independence and freedom.

©Adventure_Images/Shutterstock.com

If you have the horse spirit animal, you value your independence and freedom. A good day for you is a day of exploring. It could mean wandering around a store, hiking a trail, or exploring a park. The location doesn’t matter. What you enjoy is the journey, not the destination. Since you’re adventurous and friendly, you always make new friends on your travels. But if anyone tries to stifle your freedom, you’re quick to speak up.

What the Horse Teaches Us

The horse teaches a lesson of forward momentum. It encourages you to stay on your path even when the going gets tough. Trust that things will work out in the end, and keep moving towards your goals.

The horse also offers lessons on compassion and self-expression. If you’re not expressing yourself, life hurts. And if you’re not being compassionate, your self-critical side will knock you down. But by living with a sense of love for yourself and others, you can roam freely through life’s journey.

Understanding Horse Symbolism

There’s a lot of mythology and folklore surrounding the horse. Odin, the Norse god, had an eight-legged horse named Sleipnir. In Chinese mythology, the horse symbolizes Earth and is one of the four sacred animals. And in Greek mythology, the winged horse Pegasus symbolized imagination and inspiration.

The horse has also been an essential part of human history. They have helped us travel, farm, and even go to war. In many cultures, the horse is still a sign of power and wealth.

What Does It Mean if You See a Horse?

Black Friesian horse runs and gallop in summer time.

Seeing a horse means that your are about to embark on an exciting new journey.

©Makarova Viktoria/Shutterstock.com

If you see a horse, it means you’re about to embark on a new journey. It’s an excellent time to start something new, like a project or a relationship. Take a moment to assess your situation. What do you want to achieve? What’s holding you back? Once you have a clear idea of your goals, you can start moving forward again.

Overall, horses represent freedom. They’re not afraid to roam where they please. If you’re feeling trapped, the horse is telling you to break free. But be careful not to overdo it.

What Does It Mean if You Dream About a Horse

If you see a horse in your dream, it can symbolize several things. It could represent your power or drive. It could also be a sign that you’re repressing your true self. If the horse is wild, it could mean you’re feeling out of control. And if the horse is calm, it could represent your inner peace and harmony.

What the horse is also doing matters. Is the horse running or standing still? If the horse is running, you’re moving forward in your journey. But if the horse is standing still, you need to take a moment to assess your situation.

Questions to Ask When You See a Horse

Spirit animal symbolism is personal. Everyone will have their unique message to digest. To understand the message horse is sending you, ask a few questions:

  • Do you need to take life in a new direction?
  • Are you constricting yourself?
  • Is someone else holding you back?
  • Has the time come to assert your freedom?
  • Do you need to express yourself more?
  • Do you need to be more compassionate?

Take some time to meditate on these questions. There might be an area of your life that you’re ignoring, and the horse is gently guiding you back on track. This could be a forgotten dream, a trip you’re putting off, or a friend you need to reach out to. When you find the answers, you’ll be one step closer to achieving your goals. So don’t be afraid to explore the new journey ahead.

Positive Attributes of Horse Energy

Przewalski's horses stand in the middle of the steppe.

Positive characteristics of the horse include being strong and courageous

©Yantar/Shutterstock.com

Horses have a lot of positive traits. If the horse is your spirit animal, you probably have some of these qualities too. Here are some of the upsides of having the horse as your spirit animal:

  • Intelligent
  • Courage
  • Honesty
  • Devotion
  • Freedom
  • Energy
  • Strength
  • Power
  • Compassion
  • Self-expression

The newspaper account of Clever Hans, a horse who supposedly could count, is a shining example of horse intelligence. Horses are not afraid to face challenges, either. They charge ahead even when they’re scared. This trait can be helpful in life, but it’s also essential to know when to back down. If you’re constantly putting yourself in danger, the horse tells you to take a step back and assess the situation.

Horses are also honest animals. They don’t try to hide their feelings. If you’re feeling happy, they’ll be happy too. But if you’re feeling sad, they’ll sense it and try to comfort you. This trait can be both good and bad. It’s good because it allows you to process your emotions and connect with others on a deeper level. But empathy can make you vulnerable to hurt feelings.

Horses are also very devoted creatures. Once they’ve formed a bond with someone, they’ll never forget them. This trait can be helpful in relationships, but it can also lead to heartbreak. If you’ve been hurt by someone you love, the horse is telling you to move on.

Shortcomings of Horse Energy

The fervor of freedom can be a lot for horse people to handle. It’s just so exciting to consider all you can do and all of the wonderful places you can travel to! But if that excitement is left unbalanced, it can cause the horse to lead you in the wrong direction. Here are some of the negative traits of horse energy:

  • Moodiness
  • Anxiety
  • Restlessness
  • Impulsivity
  • Aggression

If you have the horse as your spirit animal, it’s essential to find a balance between your light and dark sides. When you’re feeling joyful, let yourself be free. But when you’re sad, take the time to process your emotions. Otherwise, you’ll only end up hurting yourself in the end. When horse people are honest about their dark side, they practice compassion and acceptance. These are the two qualities that will help them overcome their shortcomings.

Get in Touch With Your Inner Horse

English thoroughbred horse jumping on the beautiful background of the field.

Get in touch with your inner horse by facing your fears head on.

©Anaite/Shutterstock.com

You know the horse is your spirit animal, but you’re not feeling very horse-like lately. What can you do? For the next 24 hours, practice being courageous, devoted, and compassionate.

Take risks and face your fears. Be honest about what you’re afraid of, and then find a way to face it. Whether it’s taking a new job, going on a first date, or bungee jumping, do something that scares you. And when you make a commitment, stick to it. This could be a promise to yourself or a vow to someone else. If you say you’re going to do something, do it. Finally, show kindness to others, even if they don’t deserve it. Try to see things from their perspective, and offer them your understanding.

Similar Spirit Animals 

Horses are social spirit animals, and they have a lot of friends. This is because there are a lot of energies compatible with horse energy. Here are some of the best friends for horse people:

If you have the horse as your spirit animal, you’re probably brave and honest. This helps you get along with unicorn, dragon, and panda types. You’re also devoted, which makes you and dog an inseparable pair.

Opposing Spirit Animals 

What about the animals that are the complete opposite of the horse? Here are some of the worst enemies for horse people:

If you have the horse as your spirit animal, you’re probably a peace-loving person. Those who identify with snake, tiger, or wolf energy might try to take advantage of your kindness. However, if you befriend one of these animals, they can help protect you from danger.

Choosing the Horse as Your Spirit Guide

Horse spirit animal symbolism is powerful. They have many positive qualities, but they also have some negative ones. If considering making the horse your spirit guide, make sure you understand all they represent. But if you feel a connection to the horse, then go ahead and embrace them as your guide. They will never lead you astray. Don’t forget to make some friends along the way too. Befriending someone with a dog or panda spirit animal could be very beneficial!

Up Next

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Rita_Kochmarjova/Shutterstock.com


Share on:
About the Author

Crystal is a dedicated writer at A-Z Animals, focusing on topics related to mammals, insects, and travel. With over a decade of experience in the world of research and writing, she also fulfills the role of a skilled video and audio engineer. Residing in sunny Florida, alligators are Crystal's favorite animal.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.

Sources
  1. International Association for the Study of Dreams (1970) www.asdreams.org
  2. Dr. Steven Farmer, Available here: https://drstevenfarmer.com/blog/
  3. Ted Andrews (1970) Animal-Speak: The Spiritual & Magical Powers of Creatures Great & Small/ Ted Andrews. Published Woodbury, Minnesota by Llewellyn Publications