Horse Emblem Cars: Brand Names, History and Hidden Meanings

Logo with image horses is one of the most recognizable symbols in the automotive industry. It is associated with power, speed and aristocracy, but not everyone knows which brands use this sign and what it means. If you saw a horse emblem on your car and wondered "what brand is this?", then you've come to the right place.

In this article we will look at all the car brands that use horse in the logo, their history, emblem design features, and we’ll even tell you how not to run into a fake when buying spare parts or the car itself. You will also find out why some manufacturers choose this particular symbol and what legends are associated with it.

Spoiler: it's not always a horse on the hood Ferrari. There are at least 5 other brands that you may never have heard of!

1. Ferrari is the most famous horse brand

When it comes to cars with an emblem horses, the first thing everyone remembers is Ferrari. And for good reason: red horse on a yellow background is one of the most recognizable logos in the world. But why a horse?

Legend has it that the company's founder Enzo Ferrari chose this symbol after meeting with my parents Francesco Baracca - Italian pilot ace of the First World War. There was a drawing on Baracca's plane black horse (the symbol of his squadron), and the pilot’s mother advised Ferrari to use it as a mascot. Enzo added a yellow background (the color of his hometown of Modena) and letters S F (Scuderia Ferrari).

Interesting fact: The original Ferrari emblem always faces to the left, and the horse's tail is raised up. If you see an emblem with a horse facing to the right, it is either a fake or a special version for certain models (for example, racing cars).

⚠️ Attention: The market is full of fake Ferrari stickers and emblems. The original emblem has relief structure, and not just drawn on a flat surface. When purchasing spare parts, check for holographic tags!

• 🏎️ First model with logo: Ferrari 125 S (1947)
• 🎨 Author of the design: Graphic designer Paolo Martinelli finalized the sketch by Enzo Ferrari
• 💰 The most expensive Ferrari with a horse: Ferrari 250 GTO (price at auctions exceeds $70 million)

2. Porsche: horse in the coat of arms of the city of Stuttgart

Many are surprised to learn that Porsche also has something to do with horses. The fact is that the brand logo includes coat of arms of the city of Stuttgart, where the company's headquarters are located. And in the coat of arms of Stuttgart it is depicted rearing stallion - a symbol of the city since the 13th century.

The emblem itself Porsche is a shield with the coat of arms of Stuttgart in the center, surrounded by deer antlers (another symbol of the region) and the inscription Porsche from above. The horse on the logo is black, and not red, like the Ferrari, and it faces to the right.

By the way, Porsche has an interesting tradition: on some special models (for example, Porsche 911 GT3 RS) horse on the emblem painted green - as a tribute to the racing traditions of the brand.

Why is there a horse in the coat of arms of Stuttgart?

Legend has it that the Duke of Württemberg founded the city on the site of a stable. Hence the horse symbol, which later became part of the coat of arms.

Brand	Horse color	View direction	Additional items
Ferrari	Red (sometimes black)	Left	Yellow background, letters SF
Porsche	Black	Right	Deer antlers, coat of arms of Stuttgart
Ford Mustang	Silver/white	Left (while moving)	Three stripes (speed symbol)

3. Ford Mustang: American horse on the move

If Ferrari and Porsche are European classics, then Ford Mustang - a prominent representative of the American automobile industry with a horse in the logo. Here the symbol is not static, but dynamic: the horse is depicted in a jump, with raised front legs and a developing tail.

Model name Mustang (which translates as “mustang”) was not chosen by chance: it is a wild horse, personifying freedom, power and unbridled character. The logo was developed specifically for this model and has become so popular that it is now associated with the entire line.

I wonder what the first Mustang emblems (1964) had a horse facing to the right, but the design was later changed so that she now faces left. Also on some versions of the logo you can see three horizontal stripes behind the horse - they symbolize speed.

4. Other brands with a horse in the logo: which you didn’t know about

Besides Ferrari, Porsche and Mustang, there are several other car brands that use horse in emblem or title. Some of them are little known, but their history is no less interesting.

• 🐎 Hispano-Suiza: Spanish premium brand (1904–1946), whose logo included winged horse - a symbol of speed and luxury. These cars were so prestigious that kings and millionaires bought them.
• 🏇 Pegaso: Spanish sports brand (1950s), named after the mythical winged horse Pegasus. The logo depicted Pegasus taking off.
• 🚗 De Tomaso Pantera: 1970s Italian supercar with title Pantera (“panther”), but on the emblem there was stylized horse in dynamic motion.
• 🏁 BRM (British Racing Motors): The Formula One racing team (1950s–1970s) used a logo with horse head in profile.

Many of these marques no longer produce cars, but their horse emblems remain valuable to collectors. For example, the original sign Hispano-Suiza may cost at auctions thousands of dollars.

5. How to distinguish an original horse emblem from a fake

Horse emblems are a popular target for counterfeiting, especially from Ferrari and Porsche. Fraudsters often sell cheap copies that look similar to the original, but have a number of differences. Here's what to look for:

Packaging with holographic sticker and serial number|

Relief structure (the horse is not flat, but three-dimensional)|

Metal or high quality plastic base|

Exact color match (for example, the yellow background of a Ferrari is a specific shade Ferrari Giallo)|

Presence of hidden marks (for example, microtext on the reverse side) -->

Emblems for Ferrari 458, 488 and SF90 Stradale, as well as icons Porsche 911. If you are purchasing parts or accessories, be sure to check:

1. Availability certificate of authenticity (at official dealers).
2. Quality of fastenings: original emblems are attached to rivets or special latches, and not with double-sided tape.
3. Weight: Fakes are often lighter due to cheaper materials.

⚠️ Attention: AliExpress and other sites often sell “replicas” of Ferrari and Porsche emblems for $5–$20. Such products not only look cheap, but can also fall off in a month due to bad glue. It is better to overpay and buy from an official dealer.

6. Horse in the logo: symbolism and psychology

Why do so many automakers choose horse for your logo? This symbol carries several key meanings:

• 💪 Power and strength: Horses are associated with physical strength and endurance, qualities important in sports and luxury cars.
• 🏆 Victory and competition: In ancient times, horses were used in racing and battles. This echoes the racing heritage of Ferrari and Porsche.
• 👑 Aristocratism: Horses have historically been a status symbol (eg knight's steeds). This emphasizes the premium nature of the brands.
• 🌬️ Freedom and speed: Wild horses (like mustangs) represent unrestrained movement - an ideal image for sports cars.

I wonder what the color of the horse in the logo also matters:

- Red horse (Ferrari) - passion, energy, speed.

- Black horse (Porsche) - luxury, power, restraint.

- Silver horse (Mustang) - technology, modernity.

Few people know, but Ferrari has an unofficial rule: if the horse on the emblem is facing to the left, it symbolizes forward movement (as in racing cars), and if it is to the right, it is a sign of respect for tradition (as in classic models).

7. Where else can you find a horse in the auto industry?

In addition to logos, horse the symbol is also found in other elements of automotive culture:

• 🏁 Racing teams: For example, Scuderia Ferrari (“Ferrari stable”) or Porsche Motorsport use a horse in corporate symbolism.
• 🎨 Special Series: Lamborghini (although their symbol is a bull) released a limited edition Lamborghini Egoista with elements reminiscent of horse harness.
• 🛠️ Tuning and accessories: Many studios offer stickers, seat covers and even exhaust systems with horse engravings.
• 🎮 Video games: B Forza Horizon or Gran Turismo a horse on a bonnet is often used as a symbol of prestige.

You can also find a horse on car club badges. For example, owners Ford Mustang often decorate their cars with additional Mustang Dynamics decals.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about cars with a horse emblem

🔍 Why does Ferrari's horse look to the left, and Porsche's to the right?

This is due to the traditions of heraldry. In European symbolism horse looking left (in heraldry - “to the right” of the viewer), often associated with moving forward and winning. In Porsche, the horse faces to the right because it is part coat of arms of Stuttgart, where such a direction has historically developed. Ferrari chose the left look as a tribute to the pilot Baracca, whose emblem was mirrored.

💰 How much does an original Ferrari emblem cost?

The price depends on the model and material:

• Standard logo for Ferrari Porta (front) - from $200 to $500.
• Emblem for Ferrari SF90 Stradale (with holographic protection) - up to $800.
• Vintage emblems (eg for Ferrari 250 GTO) at auctions can reach $5 000+.

Counterfeits cost $10–$50, but their quality is noticeably worse.

🚗 Which cars with a horse in the logo are the most affordable?

If you want a car with a horse badge, but aren't willing to pay millions for a Ferrari, check out:

• Ford Mustang (from $25 000 for the new basic version).
• Porsche 718 Boxster (from $60 000).
• Used Porsche Cayman (can be found at $30 000–$40 000).

But Ferrari even used starts from $80 000 (models like Ferrari California).

🎨 Is it possible to legally install a Ferrari emblem on your car?

Technically yes, but with reservations:

• If you're just putting a sticker on the hood, it's legal (as long as you don't mislead it into thinking it's a real Ferrari).
• If you install three-dimensional emblem to a car of another brand, this can be regarded as trademark infringement (especially if the car looks like a Ferrari).
• In some countries (for example, Italy), forgery of premium brand emblems can lead to fine.

It is better to use stickers with the words “Not a Ferrari” or parody versions.

🐴 Are there electric cars with a horse emblem?

There are no electric vehicles yet original horse emblem, but:

• Porsche Taycan (electric car) retains the horse logo, as it is part of the coat of arms of Stuttgart.
• Ferrari announced its first electric car for 2026 - most likely, it will retain the traditional emblem.
• Some startups (eg. Hispano Suiza Carmen) are reviving old brands with a horse in their logo, but this is rather an exception.