Dream Symbol Horse

The horse as a dream symbol generally indicates power, strength and virility. It also can be a mode of transportation hence a journey or even one’s life or spiritual journey.

Details to Consider

Pay attention to the details of the horse and look them up as though they are separate dream symbols:

Stature. Horses generally are proud and regal. Pay attention to the stature of the horse in the dream. It is rebellious or spirit-broken? Does it have a sway-back? Is it bucking?
Color. Colors convey their own meaning. See Bellaonline Dreams site “Dream Symbol Colors.” A white horse, black horse or rainbow horse will have distinctive differences in meaning. A black horse can indicate spiritual secrets while a dark horse can spell evil so look for other dream clues, especially the feeling and tone of the overall dream.
Condition A healthy horse is strong, active and confident. Is the horse weak, sick or starving? Is it a young filly or an old mare? Is it cleaned and well-groomed or covered with mud and flies? Is it a dead horse?
Gait. A prancing pony or galloping steed says a lot about the journey of the dreamer. Is it stumbling? Slowly clip-clopping?
Location. Is the horse in a parade or penned up in a corral or stable? Is it drowning in water or plodding uphill?
Unusual characteristics or abilities. Can the horse fly, talk, run over water? Does it have several heads, mane of gold?
Rider or riderless. Is anyone steering or leading this horse?
Purpose. What is the purpose of this horse? Is it a workhorse, pulling a heavy load? What is it pulling?
Solo horse or team. A maverick or a team? How many in the team? Look up the specific number.

Other contextual clues impact the horse symbol

When interpreting the meaning of the horse in a dream, be sure to consider the contextual details of the horse. For example, in addition to horse, look up its gait such as “stumbling” or location as in “corral” or “stable.” A stable is a protective resting place while a corral is a pen to prevent escape.

Idioms, sayings and word play

Consider the horse in clichés and sayings to see if they apply to the horse in your dream.

“A horse of a different color.” (Uniqueness, unusual personality.)
“Beating a dead horse.” (Unproductive, obsessive behavior or thinking.)
“Getting off your high horse.” (Pride and arrogance.)
“Horsing around.” (Distraction or immaturity.)
“Straight from the horse’s mouth.” (Avoiding misunderstanding, gossip.
“You can lead a horse to water but can’t make him drink.” (Futility.)
“Putting the cart before the horse.” (Putting first things first.)
“Hold your horses!” (Slow down, patience.)