How to Draw a Simple Horse

This easy drawing tutorial is a part of a series of three drawing guides where we draw a horse in three different ways; an easy to draw horse, a cute cartoon horse, and a horse’s head. All tutorials are easy to do and have easy to follow, step-by-step instructions.

In this horse drawing tutorial, we’re going to create a side view of a horse. This is the easiest of the three horse drawing guides.

We will draw some simple circles first. These simple shapes will help us to create a horse drawing with the right proportions and size.

In the guide below, each step is highlighted in a light blue color.

You don’t need any special pens or tools. A regular pencil, eraser, and paper are all you need. If you want, you can also color the drawing with colored pencils or pens.

You can find a video version of this drawing tutorial below, as well as a printable PDF version.

If you liked this tutorial, see also the following drawing guides: Cartoon Horse, Horse Head, and Little Pony Rainbow Dash.

Watch 'How to Draw a Simple Horse' Video Tutorial

Step-by-Step Instructions for Drawing a Simple Horse

Draw an oval to the left of your paper.

Add a larger oval to the right of the first oval.

Draw a third, slightly elongated oval to the right side of the paper. These three shapes will help us to outline the horse’s body.

Join the two ovals on the left with two arcs.

Similarly, join the oval in the middle with the one on the right hand side. Add a curvy triangle-shape on the outside of the right-side oval.

Sketch the top of the horse’s muzzle.

Draw the bottom of the muzzle and cheek.

Draw four curvy lines for the legs.

Add four more lines parallel to the previous ones to outline the legs.

Draw four wedges for the hooves.

Add ears like two leaves.

Draw the forelock between the ears.

Outline the horse’s mane as a jagged line over its neck.

Erase the ovals we drew at the beginning.

Draw the eye as a soft triangle. Add a small oval for the nostril.

Draw a short arc for the eyelid. Add a short mouth line.

Draw a curving line for the underside of the tail.

Sketch a jagged line for the top of the tail.

Add a curving line inside the tail to add some detail.

Clean up any stray lines and color your horse drawing.