Horse on a car: what brand is hidden behind the famous horse emblem?

Why did the horse become a symbol of automobile brands?

The horse emblem is one of the most recognizable in the automotive world. It is associated with power, speed and freedom, which perfectly reflects the spirit of the automotive industry. But not everyone knows that horse on the hood can belong to completely different brands - from premium supercars to mass-produced American muscle cars.

The most famous brands with a horse in their logo are, of course, Ferrari and Ford Mustang. However, the history goes deeper: some manufacturers used this symbol at the beginning of the 20th century, associating it with legends, sporting achievements or even the personal preferences of the founders. Today we will figure out which cars can boast such an emblem, how to correctly identify it and what it means for each brand.

It is important to understand that not every horse in a car is a Ferrari. Often, owners tune their cars by adding non-original stickers, which is misleading. In this article you will find checklists for recognizing genuine emblems, historical facts and even legal nuances of using the symbol.

Ferrari: the legendary “horse” and its origin

When it comes to talking about a horse in a car, the first thing that comes to mind is Ferrari is an Italian brand whose logo with a black horse on a yellow background has become a symbol of luxury and speed. But few people know that the history of this emblem is connected with First World War.

The founder of the company, Enzo Ferrari, took as a basis the coat of arms of the pilot Francesco Baracchi, an Italian aviation ace, who painted the image of a horse on his plane. After Baracca's death in 1918, his mother suggested that Enzo use this symbol as a talisman. This is how the first logo appeared in 1923 Scuderia Ferrari (racing team), and later - the car brand itself.

Today the Ferrari emblem is strictly regulated:

• 🐎 The horse is always black, with its front leg raised (a symbol of victory).
• 🟡 Background is yellow (the color of Enzo Ferrari’s hometown, Modena).
• 🇮🇹 At the top of the shield is the Italian tricolor.
• 🔠 Letters S and F (Scuderia Ferrari) are located on the sides.

Ford Mustang: American "wild horse"

If Ferrari is associated with Europe, then Ford Mustang is a purely American symbol of freedom. The logo in the form of a galloping Mustang appeared in 1964 along with the debut of the legendary muscle car. Interestingly, the designers initially proposed other options, including tiger and even mountain goat, but the choice fell on the horse as the personification of strength and independence.

Differences between the Mustang and Ferrari emblems:

Sign	Ferrari	Ford Mustang
Horse color	Black	Silver/white
Background	Yellow shield	Blue/red/white oval (or no background)
Horse pose	Standing on hind legs	Galloping to the side
Additional items	Italian flag, letters SF	Three stripes (symbolize speed)

Since 2010, the Mustang has become a global model and its badge has undergone several changes. For example, in 2018, the horse became more aggressive, with flared nostrils, which emphasized the sporty nature of the car. Today the logo is often used for tuning other Fords, but officially it belongs only to Mustang.

Other brands with a horse in their logo: from Porsche to little-known brands

In addition to Ferrari and Mustang, the horse can be found on the emblems of several other manufacturers. Here are the most interesting examples:

• 🏇 Porsche: The coat of arms of the city of Stuttgart (where the brand's headquarters is located) depicts a horse standing up. This symbol is used on the hoods of all Porsches, but is often confused with Ferraris due to the similar animal pose.
• 🐴 Koenigsegg: The Swedish hypercar has a logo with a Viking silhouette, but on some special editions (e.g. Koenigsegg CCXR Trevita) the horse appears as a tribute to Norse mythology.
• 🏆 Maserati: although the main symbol of the brand is the trident of Neptune, on some racing models (for example, Maserati MC12) you can see the horse as a reference to sporting achievements.
• 🚗 DAF (Dutch brand): In the 1960s, DAF trucks featured a horse logo symbolizing traction power.

The horse is also found on the emblems of some Chinese automakers (for example, Hongqi in certain series) and even on the logos of tuning studios. However the only brands for which the horse is an official and protected symbol are Ferrari, Ford Mustang and Porsche (in the context of the coat of arms of Stuttgart).

Why does the Maserati MC12 have a horse?

This model was created for racing and used the Ferrari Enzo engine. As a sign of partnership and respect for racing traditions, a stylized horse appeared on the body, similar to a Ferrari, but without a yellow background.

How to distinguish an original emblem from a fake: checklist

Fake horse stickers are a common occurrence, especially among owners of tuned cars. To avoid being scammed (or breaking the law by using someone else's logo), check the following:

1. Material: Metal (Ferrari) or high quality plastic (Mustang), not vinyl sticker

2. Mounting: original emblems are bolted on or have factory latches

3. Relief: Ferrari’s horse is convex, with clear edges

4. Color: no extraneous shades (for example, green or pink)

5. Size: standard diameter - 8–12 cm (tuned ones may have more)

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You need to be especially careful with Ferrari emblems. The company actively defends its rights: in 2021, it filed a lawsuit against a sticker manufacturer that sold “Ferrari” horses for the Toyota Supra. The claim was satisfied, and the seller had to pay compensation in the amount of 500,000 euros.

⚠️ Attention: Using the Ferrari logo on a car that is not a product of the brand may be considered a copyright violation. In some countries (for example, Italy and the USA) this is punishable by fines of up to $10,000.

Legal nuances: is it possible to legally put a horse on your car?

If you want to decorate your car with a horse emblem, but don't want to get into trouble with the law, here's what you need to know:

1. Ferrari: It is strictly prohibited to use the logo on any machines other than original ones. Even stylized versions can result in legal action.
2. Ford Mustang: The logo is protected, but the company is less aggressive in pursuing violators. However, official dealerships will refuse to install the emblem on a non-Mustang.
3. Porsche: The coat of arms of Stuttgart can only be used on vehicles registered in this city (Germany). On other machines this will be considered fraud.
4. Homemade emblems: If you create a unique design (such as a horse in a different pose or with different colors), it can be registered as your own brand and legally used.

In Russia and the CIS countries, control over the use of logos is less strict, but problems may arise when importing a car into the EU or the USA. For example, in 2019, a car with a fake Ferrari emblem was detained at the German border; the owner had to pay a fine and remove the sticker.

Tuning and horse emblems: what is allowed and what is not

Many car owners want to give their car a sporty look by adding a horse emblem. Here are the dos and don'ts:

Allowed:

• 🎨 Use stylized images of horses that do not copy original logos (for example, a silhouette of a horse without a shield and flag).
• 🖌️ Apply drawings to the hood or doors in the form of aeography (if it is not an exact copy of a Ferrari/Mustang).
• 🏁 Participate in racing series with temporary sponsorship stickers (if they are not misleading regarding the brand of the car).

Prohibited:

• 🚫 Copy the Ferrari logo onto any other cars (even if it’s a “joke”).
• 🚫 Sell or distribute counterfeit Mustang/Porsche emblems.
• 🚫 Use the logo on commercial vehicles (taxi, car sharing) without the permission of the copyright holder.

If you still decide on tuning, it is better to contact professional designers who will develop a unique logo. For example, some studios offer to create a personal emblem with a horse, but with changed proportions or colors in order to avoid problems with the law.

FAQ: answers to popular questions about horses on cars

Is it possible to put a Ferrari emblem on a Toyota?

No, this is a copyright violation. Ferrari actively pursues such cases through the courts. In the best case, you will have to remove the sticker, in the worst case, you will have to pay a fine of up to 50,000 euros.

Why don't some Porsches have a horse?

The horse is present only on the coat of arms of Stuttgart, which is located on the hood. On the back of the car there is usually only an inscription Porsche and a shield with a coat of arms without a horse. On special series (for example, Porsche 911 GT3 RS) the horse can be stylized to match the racing theme.

How much does an original Ferrari emblem cost?

The cost of the official Ferrari emblem starts from 300 euros (for older models). For new supercars (eg SF90 Stradale) the price can reach up to 1,000 euros, since they are made of carbon or titanium.

Is it possible to order a custom emblem with a horse?

Yes, many tuning studios offer such services. The main thing is to avoid direct copying of protected logos. For example, you can order a horse in a different pose, with other colors or additional elements (fire, lightning, etc.). The average cost is from 5,000 to 20,000 rubles.

What fines are there for a counterfeit emblem in Russia?

In Russia, fines for using other people's logos are regulated by Article 14.10 of the Administrative Code (“Illegal use of a trademark”). For individuals the fine is from 5,000 to 10,000 rubles, for legal entities - up to 500,000 rubles. In addition, customs may confiscate the car if you try to travel abroad.