“No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle.” – Winston Churchill
There aren’t many animals on earth more beautiful and graceful than the horse.
And when it comes to tattoos, horses’ natural beauty transfer over really well when portraying them on your body.
While many folks choose to go with a slightly larger depiction of a horse or horses for their tattoo design, others choose to go with a small but stylish design.
If you’re in that camp, we’ve got you covered in this guide with 33 small horse tattoos that are some of the cutest designs you’ll ever see.
We’ll also outline some of the symbolic meanings of horses and the main motivations behind most people who decide to go with a small horse tattoo.
Symbolism & Meaning Behind Horses
Love Of Horses: The most direct reason is a profound affection and admiration for horses. This might stem from experiences in horse riding, owning horses, or simply an overall fondness for these creatures.
Resilience: Horses represent strength, resilience, and endurance. Opting for a horse tattoo could symbolize personal strength, surmounting challenges, or a time of substantial personal development.
Freedom and Independence: Horses are commonly seen as emblems of liberty, spirit, and self-reliance. Should these values resonate with you, a horse tattoo could symbolize your own independent and spirited nature.
Tribute Or Memorial: A horse tattoo could serve to remember a cherished horse or to celebrate a unique bond with one. It could stand as a permanent homage to an important aspect of your life.
Personal Journey Or Fresh Start: Given their historical role in travel and discovery, a horse tattoo might represent a passion for adventure, a meaningful journey in your life, or a fresh start.
Grace & Dignity Should you be captivated by the grace and dignity of horses, a horse tattoo could act as a reminder or goal to embody these characteristics.
Cultural Or Spiritual: In various cultures, horses hold spiritual or mythical importance. For instance, in Native American traditions, horses are often viewed as spiritual messengers. A tattoo might be your method of honoring your cultural roots or spiritual convictions.
Artistic Admiration: The horse, celebrated for its graceful form and lively motion, is a favored subject in art. Your choice of a horse tattoo might be purely for its aesthetic value and the artistic challenge it offers.
Bond With Natural World: Horses, particularly wild ones, symbolize a strong bond with nature and the wild. A horse tattoo may symbolize your connection with the natural environment.
Small Horse Tattoo Gallery
