Welcome to the world of equestrian life in The Sims 3 with the Pets expansion pack! This guide delves into the deepest and most varied gameplay additions, focusing on horses. From basic care and the development of the Riding skill to the new Horseman career and exciting competitions, we’ll cover everything you need to know to become a successful virtual equestrian. Saddle up as we explore the intricacies of horse ownership in The Sims 3.
Acquiring Your Equine Companion
There are several ways to bring a horse into your Sim’s life. The most straightforward method is creating one directly in Create-a-Pet when starting a new game. This allows you to select traits that can enhance your horse’s abilities, such as “Agile” for jumping, “Fast” for racing, and “Genius” for quicker skill acquisition. The game also provides a small financial boost for each horse created, which will be needed for essential supplies. If you’re not starting a new game, horses can be adopted for free via the phone, computer, or newspaper. Alternatively, you can patiently befriend a wild horse or purchase one directly from the Equestrian Center.
Essential Horse Care
Horses in The Sims 3 have six core needs: Hunger, Bladder, Energy, Social, Exercise, and Thirst. While Hunger, Bladder, Energy, and Social function similarly to those of Sims, horses require specific attention to Exercise and Thirst. Regular exercise is crucial, which can be achieved through riding or allowing them to gallop freely. Ensuring a constant supply of fresh water from a trough and a salt lick is vital for their Thirst needs. Hay is readily available in their stables for sustenance.
Daily grooming, including cleaning and brushing hooves, is accessible through the “Care” button when you click on a horse. This not only fulfills their needs but also provides positive moodlets. Engaging in various Friendly and Affectionate interactions helps build a strong bond between your Sim and their horse, which is key to unlocking additional traits. Horses can also develop unique traits through their own autonomous actions. For players living in apartments or those who prefer a more organized approach, horses can be boarded at the stables adjacent to the Equestrian Center.
Understanding Horse Life and Death
Horses can become part of your Sim’s family through breeding. A male and female adult horse with a high enough relationship can engage in the “Try For Foal” romantic social interaction. After a few days of gestation, the mare will give birth to a foal. Foals mature into adult horses in approximately five Sim days on the Normal lifespan. It’s important to keep mares and foals close together to prevent negative moodlets. Alternatively, mares can be taken to the Equestrian Center for breeding with a stallion for a fee. Stallions can also offer stud services at the center, for which the owner will be compensated.
While horses can pass away from old age, they are also vulnerable to other dangers such as fire and meteors. Players have reported instances where horses have miraculously saved their Sims from death, an event that appears to be independent of the “Lucky” trait.
Developing the Riding Skill
Mounting an adult horse and selecting “Go For a Ride” is the primary way to develop the Riding skill. As your Sim’s skill level increases, new interactions become available, such as “Gallop.” Higher Riding skill levels are also prerequisites for entering specific competition brackets and for taming wild horses.
A crucial tip for maximizing profit when selling horses is to skill them up beforehand at the Equestrian Center. The higher their Jumping and Racing skills, the greater their sale price. For efficiency, focus on skilling Racing last, as the horse will also gain Riding skill while competing in the Jumping Course. This allows for a double benefit, similar to how Inventing and Martial Arts skills can be leveled simultaneously.
Key Traits for Sims and Horses
Several traits significantly enhance the equestrian experience. For Sims, “Ambitious,” “Friendly,” “Equestrian,” “Loves the Outdoors,” and “Lucky” are highly recommended. The “Equestrian” trait is particularly vital, as it accelerates relationship building with horses. “Loves the Outdoors” is a natural fit given the amount of time Sims will spend with their horses, while “Ambitious” and “Friendly” are generally beneficial traits. Horses and Unicorns share the same trait system, and understanding these traits can greatly improve your interactions.
Lifetime Wishes and Horse Rewards
The “Jockey” is the dedicated horse-related Lifetime Wish in The Sims 3 Pets. To achieve this, Sims must max out the Riding skill and earn $40,000 Simoleons through various horse-related activities like racing, sales, and stud services. Horses, much like Sims, will also receive wishes. Fulfilling these wishes and maintaining a high mood meter for your horses accumulates happiness points, which can then be used to purchase special rewards designed to improve their lives.
Horse Breeds and Customization
While The Sims 3 Pets features various horse breeds, their impact on gameplay is minimal. Breeds do not influence the sale price, and a horse’s breed is not displayed outside of the adoption screen. Customization is extensive in “Edit Saddle” mode, where players can alter a horse’s colors, body features, and accessories. The colors of the parent horses influence the appearance of foals, but ultimately, players can customize their horses to look exactly as they desire, much like they can with Sims.
Wild Horses, Unicorns, and Advanced Gameplay
Befriending wild horses requires reaching level 8 in the Riding skill, enabling your Sim to mount and bring them home. Building a relationship is key before adoption. Unicorns are a unique case, accessible without a specific riding skill requirement. To befriend them, Sims need to have three best friends and demonstrate a fondness for large animals and other Sims.
The Horseman Career and Equestrian Center Competitions
The Horseman career becomes available once a Sim achieves a level 1 in the Riding skill. Sims can then register for this self-employment career at City Hall. The primary metric for advancement in the Horseman career is earnings. To reach the top, Sims must actively pursue income through competitions, horse sales, and stud services.
Competitions are a dynamic part of the horse gameplay, taking place in a “rabbit-hole” environment at the Equestrian Center. Initially, Sims with sufficient Riding skill can enter the Beginner brackets for racing, jumping, and cross-country events. As their skill progresses, Advanced and International brackets become accessible. Competitions run from Monday to Friday at 5 PM and on weekends at noon. Upon entering the Equestrian Center while mounted, a race begins, displaying standings and a progress bar, offering an engaging experience for the player.
The horse-related content in The Sims 3 Pets is widely regarded as one of the most robust and impressive additions to the game, offering depth and variety that significantly enhances the player’s experience.
