How to draw tang (t'ang) dynasty horses

Ceramic horses are some of the finest examples of equine art to have survived out of Asia. When it comes to drawing historic horses, the Han and T'ang dynasties are my personal favorites, because of the popularity of tomb sculptures. 

This horse is ready to carry his owner through the afterlife. Collection of the Minneapolis Institute of Art

With the establishment of the silk road, horses become serious status symbols. Horses quickly become the badges of wealth and power for the upper-class Chinese. 
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Chinese historic tomb horse - detail

HOw to Draw Horses - STep by step

Step 1: Shapes are your friends. 

Step 2: Flesh out your lines. I like to add a little shapely idea of what tack might go where at this stage. If you draw lightly, it'll be easier to erase in Step 3.

Step 3: Sketching in the lines and details. Horses of ye-old china were short, stocky beasts until the heavenly horses show up. Even then, nature is going to favor the tough.  

If you're interested in a general, handy-dandy-save-the-world-cheat-sheet on historic horses of China, you can check out this page from htdhorses.com