Israel's kings were explicitly commanded not to multiply horses (Deuteronomy 17:16) — a law both symbolic and political, preventing Israel from becoming like Egypt (the horse-empire par excellence). Yet Psalm 33:17 states plainly: "A horse is a vain hope for salvation." The prophets envision a Messiah coming humbly on a donkey, not a war horse (Zechariah 9:9). Revelation 19 reframes this — the returning King rides a white horse, signifying righteous conquest rather than political power.
Sus is the standard Hebrew word for horse. Horses in the ancient Near East represented military power, speed, and wealth. Scripture repeatedly warns against trusting in horses as a symbol of misplaced confidence in human might rather than in God.