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The prancing white horse has been associated with Kent
throughout history, and is it still an important symbol of the
county.
Kent's Coat of Arms contains many significant symbols of the
county's past, including the prancing white horse.
 The Council was granted a coat of arms on 17
October 1933, but the white horse was formally adopted
immediately after the council was formed in 1889. However, the
associations with Kent go much further back than this.
The white horse on a red field is said to be the symbol of the
ancient Saxon kingdom of Kent, dating from the sixth to the eigth
century. The horse specifically relates to Horsa, a fifth century
warrior, who, together with his brother Hengest, defeated King
Vortigernk. It is believed that a monument for him was created at
White Horse Stone, near Maidstone.
The first written record of the white horse can be found from
1605 in Richard Verstegan's work Restitution of Decayed
Antiquities, which states that in 449AD Hengest and Horsa landed in
Kent under the banner of the rampant horse.
Modern day Kent and the white horse
Kent's association with the symbol of the prancing white horse
remains strong today.
 To celebrate the millennium, a white horse has
was carved into the chalk hillside at Folkestone. It is hoped
that the monument will remain for thousands of years as a
celebration of Kent life and the Kent people.
It is a well used symbol and has appeared on maps; agricultural
vehicles; the signs of local pubs, restaurants and guest houses; as
well as being the proud badge of the Queen's own Royal West Kent
Regiment.
A number of Kent based organisations have also used the horse in
their logo, primarily in white. These include:
- Kent Police Force
- Kent Fire Service
- Kent County Cricket Club
- Invicta Chamber of Commerce
- Gillingham FC and other local football clubs
- KM Group - local newspaper group
- Kent College Canterbury
- Kent Archaeological Society
- Kent Athletics Club
- HMS Kent - Royal Navy ship
- Invicta Dynamos - local ice hockey team
- Bluewater - One of Europe's largest shopping centres
- Folkstone Borough Council
- Kent TV - internet based tv channel
- Mayor of Maidstone
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