How to Draw a Galloping Horse (Easy Step by Step)
A galloping horse looks full of energy, and it is easier to draw than you might think. It is built from a sideways head, a long body, four bent legs and a swooping leaf-shaped tail. Once you have those shapes down, the dark mane, tail and hooves make it look like it is really running.
- Medium
- 15 minutes
- 10 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawing
In this article (7 sections)
How to draw a galloping horse step by step
How to Draw a Galloping Horse · tinyhandscreate.com
Step 1: Guide shapes
Lightly sketch this oval. It only shows where the big parts go, so press softly. You will erase it at the end.
Step 2: The head
Start on the left with a curved line like a sideways letter U for the head. It goes up from the chin, around the nose, and ends in a short line that runs to the right under the mouth.
Step 3: Neck and body
From under the chin, draw a line down for the front of the neck and chest. Then draw a long gently bumpy line for the back, and a curved line underneath for the belly.
Step 4: The ears
On top of the head, draw two small curly ears next to each other, like tiny tufts.
Step 5: The mane
Along the back of the neck, draw a wavy shape with zigzag bumps, from between the ears down to the back. Fill it in.
Step 6: The flowing tail
At the end of the back, draw a big leaf shape that swoops out to the right like a flag in the wind. Fill it in.
Step 7: The front legs
Under the chest, draw two bent legs, each made of two curved lines that stay about the same distance apart. Add a short bent line near the belly for the part of the leg tucked up.
Step 8: The back legs
Near the tail, draw two legs stretching down and back. Make each one with two curved lines that bend like a stride.
Step 9: The hooves
At the bottom of each leg, draw a small rounded shape like a boot. Fill in all four.
Step 10: Eye and nostril
Draw a small round dot for the eye on the head, a little below the ears. Add a tiny dot near the nose for the nostril.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your galloping horse? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a fox or how to draw a hedgehog next.
Tips for drawing a galloping horse
- The legs are the trickiest part. Draw each one as two curved lines that stay about the same distance apart, so the leg does not get skinny or wobbly.
- Bend the front legs and stretch the back legs out behind. That is what makes the horse look like it is moving instead of standing.
- Draw the tail as one big leaf shape that swoops out behind the body, then fill it in dark. A swoopy tail shows speed.
Free galloping horse coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this galloping horse coloring page at full size and print it. It is the same drawing you just learned, with clean lines ready for crayons or markers.
How to color your galloping horse drawing
Try a warm brown or golden body with a dark brown mane, tail and hooves. For a creative twist, give your horse a rainbow mane and tail, or draw a grassy field with dust puffs behind its feet.
Galloping horse fun fact for kids
Horses can sleep standing up, because special parts in their legs lock the joints in place so they do not fall over.
Questions about drawing a galloping horse
What shapes do I need to draw a galloping horse?
You need a curved shape for the head, long curved lines for the back and belly, and bent lines for the legs. The tail is a leaf shape and the mane is a wavy zigzag shape.
How do I make my horse look like it is running?
Bend the legs so they look like they are in the middle of a stride, with the back legs stretched out behind. Swooping the tail out behind the body helps too.
How do I make my horse look cuter?
Draw a round dot for the eye and a tiny dot for the nostril. Keep the ears small and make the head a little round.
