We are all familiar with H.R. Giger’s nightmare-inducing creatures, right? For those who don’t know what we are talking about, we suggest that you watch the sci-fi horror film Alien 1979, you’ll quickly get the idea.
But what if I told you that horses, those majestic creatures we all know and love, have some freaky similarities with Xenomorphs designed by H.R Giger?
Yeah, it kind of sounds ridiculous, but such artists, especially the ones that depict imaginable subjects, take inspiration from many different things, including us humans, animals like horses, and etc.
So, let’s dig a bit deeper and try to find out whether H.R. Giger really used horses as inspiration for these iconic creatures.
Horses and Xenomorphs 101
On the one hand, we have horses - gorgeous creatures, that are powerful, beautiful to look at, and always with a close connection to humans. Think of specimens in nature, like the legendary Secretariat that set record times that haven’t been beaten to this day.
Now you might think - how do Xenomorphs have any close connection to horses? Well, I know that they aren’t suggested in the horse racing betting systems by TwinSpires, but if we dig deeper, we can find some similarities.
On the other hand, Xenomorphs, the Giger’s biomechanical monsters, have all shiny black exoskeletons, and they are somehow drooling with acid. At this point, they don’t have any similarities whatsoever.
That Shiny Look
Have you been around horses lately, especially well-groomed ones? If you have, you’ve probably noticed how shiny their coat is, especially black stallions. They look like their coat is polished to perfection.
Now, I know that Xenomorphs don’t have coats, but the shine of this creature is quite similar to a well-groomed horse. We all know that Giger is obsessed with this biomechanical vibe (part organic part machine), and their muscle structure area also looks similar to horses. Okay, they have a lot of pipes, but where there is organic tissue, the muscles are quite similar to the horse’s muscles.
Speed and Power
Horses are speed machines—Secretariat clocked 47 mph, and even your average thoroughbred can hit 40 easily.
Xenomorphs? They’re no slouches either. In Aliens (1986), those suckers dart across ceilings and walls like it’s nothing—probably matching or beating a horse in a sprint. Both have this raw, explosive energy like they’re coiled springs ready to unleash.
Whether it’s a stallion bolting from the gate or a Xenomorph lunging at Ripley, it’s all about that primal burst.
The Skeleton Factor
Here’s where it gets spooky. Horses have these long, elegant skulls—almost alien-like if you squint. Giger’s Xenomorphs take that to the extreme with their elongated, eyeless heads, all teeth, and menace.
Strip away the flesh, and a horse’s skeleton has this eerie grace that echoes Giger’s designs—those curved lines, the blend of beauty and unease. It’s not hard to imagine a horse skull inspiring some of Giger’s sketches late at night in his creepy Swiss studio.
Graceful but Deadly
Horses are chill—until they’re not. A kick from one can break bones. And those teeth? They’ll chomp if they’re mad. Xenomorphs, obviously, are next-level deadly—acid blood, second jaws, the works.
But both have this duality: they’re mesmerizing to watch, almost hypnotic, yet you don’t want to get too close. It’s like they’re dancing on the edge of awe and danger, whether it’s a horse rearing up or a Xenomorph stalking its prey.
The Herd vs. The Hive
Think about horse herds—tight-knit, moving as one, protecting their own. Now flip to the Xenomorphs in Aliens—that hive mentality, swarming together under the Queen.
Both have this pack instinct, a group dynamic that’s all about survival. Sure, one’s snorting and grazing while the other’s laying eggs in your chest, but the vibe’s there: strength in numbers, loyalty to the crew.
A Weird History Mashup
Horses have been symbols forever—war, freedom, power. Giger’s creatures? They’re modern myths, born from his dark imagination in the ’70s and immortalized in Alien (1979).
Put ’em side by side, and it’s like a time warp—ancient nobility meets futuristic horror. I’d bet Giger, with his love for the surreal, would’ve gotten a kick out of sketching a horse-Xenomorph hybrid.
The Fun of It: Imagine the Scene
Okay, close your eyes (well, after you read this): a foggy field, a black stallion snorting steam, and a Xenomorph crouched nearby, hissing. Are they sizing each other up? Teaming up to freak us out?
Sadly, Giger died in 2014, but his art is still being adapted to many forms of media, including tattoos, video games, movies, album covers, and more. Additionally, did you know that he also created a Xenomorphs-like horse?
Yes, he transferred the design from the legendary monster from Alien onto a horse, and it looks even more frightening. Sadly, we won’t see more of his works.
