Horses running through a field make a beautiful, majestic sight and are a powerful animal guide. Humans have long been enamored with and aligned with the horse as a means of transportation. In fact, this spirit animal has been instrumental in driving cultural advancements.
I was raised on a horse farm in Kentucky and have a special connection with horses. My own horse, Rocket, is a rescue, a pet, and one of my best friends.
Continue reading to learn more about how the horse may be helping you as an animal spirit guide.
Natural History
Humans domesticated horses about 5,000 years ago but wild populations of horses still exist around the world. Most of these are feral populations and not true wild animals. The endangered Przewalski's horse, native to central Asia and Eastern Europe is the only true wild horse.
Horses evolved as prey animals and have a strong flight response to danger. They are well adapted to quickly run long distances.
Fun Facts:
Superfast reflexes and can kick out at perceived danger in 0.3 seconds.
They can sleep standing up.
They have 10 different muscles in their ears alone.
Characteristics and Symbolism
Transportation and Journey’s
Stamina
Leadership
Trust
Honesty
Playfulness
Freedom
Sexuality
Protection
A symbol of protection, my horse Rocket, loves to be the gate greeter! Photo by Ame Vanorio
Mythology/ cultural traditions
The Norse God, Odin, rides an eight-legged horse named Sleipnir who represents the Shamanic journey. Sleipnir is the son of Loki and Svaðilfari and is widely represented in Nordic writings and art. Odin rides him throughout the nine worlds contained within the branches of Yggdrasil.
Greek God of the Sun, Helios, drove the sun from east to west in his chariot pulled by four horses. The names of his horses are reflective of the fiery nature of the sun. They were named "Pyrois" (Fiery), "Aethon" (Blazing), "Eous" (Dawn), and "Phlegon" (Burning).
We know Poseidon as Greek god of the sea but he is also the god of horses. He is directly associated with their creation and is often depicted as their father. He is considered the father of the winged horse Pegasus, who’s mother was Medusa.
The Celtic Goddess, Epona, is the protector of equines and led souls into the afterlife. Artwork representing her riding or standing with a horse has been found throughout Northern Europe and attests to her importance. Her statues are often found in stables. Epona's worship was particularly popular among the Roman cavalry.
The sixth animal in Chinese astrology, horses, represent people who are high-spirited and energetic. They are known to be friendly, adventuresome, and a tad emotional. People born in 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, or 2014, are a Horse.
Several years ago we went to see the Terracotta Army exhibit at the Cincinnati Art Museum about the Zhou dynasty (1046–256 BC). These terracotta figures showed how important horses were to ancient Chinese culture. Photo by Ame Vanorio.
Speaking to Us in Dreams
Today we breed horses for specific functions such as racing, pulling plows, or transportation. The specific breed that comes to you in a dream may be indicative of what you need.
Carl Jung, a noted psychologist, felt the appearance of horses in dreams signified instincts out of control and the need for greater mastery. He saw the horse as a Mother archetype representing the unconscious mind and visions.
This archetype is seen in the beautiful Valkyries riding their horses over the battlefield as well as the Trojan horse who enclosed the Greeks during battle.
If you dream you are afraid of horses you may be sensitive, need to control emotions, or need to be free of something.
Fear of losing freedom is often associated with horse dreams.
A horseshoe seen in a dream is a symbol of “chance” and good fortune. A positive change is coming your way.
Listen carefully if a horse talks to you in a dream.
Horse As a Spirit Animal
Horses have lots of energy and can help you to feel motivated and inspired.
We think of them as powerful symbols for primal drives of freedom and sexuality. Horses represent fertility and are good for magic dealing with love, lust, and fertility.
The horse can alert you to danger and help you overcome obstacles. Pay close attention if a horse suddenly appears to you in a dream or during meditation. Call on the horse when doing protection magic.
Divination
The horse is a powerful symbol of divination and is associated with clairvoyance. The horse’s psychic abilities allow them to communicate with the dead.
Hippomancy is a specific form of divination practiced by several cultures including the Celts. It is an art for divining the past and future by using horse omens.
The Celts kept herds of white horses in consecrated groves. Their movements were watched for omens and auguries telling about the future. The horse’s movements, neighing, and stomping of feet were all signs.
Slavic tribes used white horses as oracles having them step over spears laid out in front of a holy building.
We sometimes see Death in tarot as being a pale horse. This symbolism comes from the Bible and the Four Riders of the Apocalypse. The card’s meaning is not limited to physical death but often means a transformation or rebirth.
What Do Horses Teach Us
Horses teach us to feel grounded and focused. Spend time outside in open areas such as a prairie field or beach. Take in the calmness.
The horse teaches us the importance of leadership and having a trusted guide or mentor in your life.
Horses symbolize new journeys and taking a new direction. If a horse comes to you then it’s time to examine your path.
People with a horse spirit guide tend to express themselves well and have strong energy. However, they must remember the importance of balance and listen to others. Horse people benefit from reflection.
Horses teach us about determination and not giving up. Sadly, the horse has been abused by men over time and forced to be a “workhorse” instead of a partner. However, we can use that determination to do good in the world.
The horse teaches us to focus on the ultimate goal and not the obstacles in our path.
Endurance goes hand in hand with determination. The horse helps you to play the ‘long game’ and follow through to your goals.
The Mustangs are a popular sports team name to represent determination and endurance.
In all our seriousness, horse teaches us to have fun and play. Run free, dance, and kick up your heels once in a while!
Meet Rocket and I in my video about the horse spirit animal
What Careers Do People With Horse Do Well In?
Horses are about balance and tell us don’t overwork. Find that workplace balance. Remember to enjoy life.
If you’re feeling off-balance trying spreading your toes and sink into the earth. Think about how the horse balances on their hooves as they run.
The horse represents people who like to work autonomously. Horses are hardworking and industrious.
Athletes relate to the power and strength of horses.
They resonate with the heart chakra - willingness to give it their all - and lift up persons in fields such as social work, teaching, and nursing.
The Chinese feel that people born in the year of the Horse are good mathematicians because they recognize patterns and are very intelligent.
Wild Horses and Conservation
Przewalski's horse is a truly wild horse, native to parts of Asia and Eastern Europe, that is critically endangered. Conservation efforts have included breeding programs and releasing young horses back into the wild.
Wild horses have been reintroduced into Mongolia, China, and Russia. One of the largest herds is in the de facto nature preserve surrounding the former nuclear site Chornobyl in Ukraine.
Unfortunately, this area has been affected by the current Ukraine/Russian war. Sadly one wild Przewalski's horse was killed by a Russian mine in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone. The horse was found in the protected area of the Chornobyl Radiation and Ecological Biosphere Reserve.
The Mustangs of the American west are actually descendants of wild horses. They are protected animals with about 30,000 running free on various public lands today.
Sadly the US government performs “round-ups” periodically, removing the animals from their homes, and selling them to private citizens. These horses may then be trained to ride or for other “jobs”. Some of these mustangs are not easily adaptable and remain in holding centers for long periods of time.
Author, with her best pal, Rocket.
Ame Vanorio is the founder of CPH, an environmental educator, and a horse lover.
Totemism and animal spirit guides are common in the Nordic religion. Odin, the Allfather, had several animals that assisted him.
In this article, we will talk briefly about the concept of totemism and animal spirit guides. I will then give you a complete list of Norse deities and their mythological animals, totem, or allocated spirit guides