How to Draw a Mini Horse

A miniature horse is not a pony. It has the sleek look of a full-grown horse, but reduced in size. They are the result of extensive breeding and cross-breeding of different types of horses and ponies. This new breed of horse was first registered in the United States, but the registry for new miniature horse breeds was closed years ago, which means that other cross-bred versions of the miniature horse can no longer be registered. This curiously small horse has a gentle disposition and the aesthetic appeal of an Arabian horse.

Things You'll Need

• Drawing paper
• Pencil
• Eraser
• Reference photos

Instructions

1. Choose a well-lit room to set up your drawing station. Have your reference images ready beside your drawing paper to check your progress as you draw. Decide on the size of the mini horse in your drawing. Take measurements from your photo to get the proper proportions of the horse. Triple the size of the horse by multiplying the measurements from the photo by a factor of 3. If the horse is four inches long on your drawing, measure 12 inches on your drawing paper, and so on.

2. Make points with your pencil to indicate the basic dimensions of the mini horse. Mark numerous points along the outline of the horse on your drawing paper, including the head, torso, position of the legs and the tail. Mark the position of the eyes and ears. Draw a horizontal line to indicate the ground the horse is standing on to get the correct placement and the length of the legs.

3. Draw a line around the points that you have marked. Refer to the image to make sure the contours are correct. Use the ruler to measure more points if you are unsure about the course of this outline. Carefully outline the head, then draw the eyes, ears and nose. Draw the outlines of the legs. If drawing a side-on view, include any visible portion of the legs on the far side.

4. Use fine lines to indicate musculature and the contours of the horse's body. Include lines to indicate the bone structure, especially that of the legs. Continue detailing the head, nostrils and mouth of the horse until you can see a resemblance to the image. Make sure the eyes are correct and parallel to the ground.

5. Use flowing lines to draw the tail and mane of the horse. Draw parallel lines in the direction of hair-growth to make these look realistic. Take your time to create the natural look, using a combination of fine lines and shading.

6. Shade the dark areas of the mini horse, as you see them on the photo. Use the direction of the light to determine shadows and highlights. Angle the pencil sideways, and use the flat side of the pencil tip to draw larger shaded areas. Move the pencil along a line or in a circular motion to fill in darkened.areas.

7. Use a cloth to gently blend light and dark areas. Be careful to preserve the lighter areas. Keep shading and blending until you have achieved a realistic depth in the drawing. Continue to detail the mini horse by adding hair lines to indicate the fur and to finish the mane and tail. Use many short lines to give the fur a realistic texture. Detail the hooves and legs to complete the drawing.

References

• Miniature Horses: information; What Is a Miniature Horse