Welcome, adventurer, to the definitive guide on Zelda Horse Training. In the vast, sprawling lands of Hyrule, your equine companion is more than just a mode of transport; it’s a partner in your quest. Whether you’re navigating the fields of Breath of the Wild or exploring the skies in Tears of the Kingdom, mastering the art of taming and training your horse is a fundamental skill. This guide will take you from a nervous novice to a true Hyrule horse master.
The bond with your horse is forged in the wild. It begins with the thrill of the chase and the gentle act of taming, and it deepens with every shared journey and every apple offered. A well-trained horse is faster, more responsive, and more resilient, making your travels across the kingdom significantly smoother. Let’s saddle up and dive into the essentials of taming, bonding, and customizing your perfect steed.
Taming Your First Wild Horse: A Test of Patience
Before you can train a horse, you must first tame one. Wild horses roam freely in herds across Hyrule’s plains, particularly in areas like the Dueling Peaks region or the Taobab Grasslands. Finding the right horse is the first step in your equestrian journey.
Spotting the Right Steed
Not all horses are created equal. You can often judge a horse’s potential by its color. Solid-colored horses tend to have better stats (speed, stamina, strength) but are much harder to tame. Spotted horses are generally more docile and easier for beginners, though their stats might be lower. Your first attempt at Zelda horse training should probably focus on a gentler, spotted mount.
To approach a herd, you’ll need to be stealthy. Crouch down and move slowly from behind. If a horse spots you, it will bolt, and you’ll have to try again. Consuming a stealth-boosting elixir or meal can make this process much easier.
The Taming Process
Once you’re close enough, press the button to leap onto the horse’s back. This is where the real challenge begins. The horse will immediately try to buck you off. To stay on, you must repeatedly tap the “Soothe” button. Be prepared for a struggle, especially with high-spirited, solid-colored horses. This will drain your stamina wheel, so having upgraded your stamina or carrying stamina-restoring food is a huge advantage.
Once the horse calms down and stops bucking, it is tamed. You can now ride it to the nearest stable to register it.
The Art of Bonding: Building Trust with Your Companion
Taming a horse is just the beginning. The core of Zelda horse training lies in building a strong bond with your steed. This bond, measured as a “Bonding” level, determines how well the horse listens to your commands. At a low bond, a horse might disobey, wander off, or ignore your whistles. A maxed-out bond creates a perfectly obedient and loyal partner.
How to Increase Your Horse’s Bond
Increasing the bond with your horse is a simple process built on positive reinforcement. You can do this in two primary ways:
- Soothing: Whenever your horse gets agitated or starts to veer off course, gently press the “Soothe” button. The horse will calm down, and a pink mist will appear around its head, indicating a small increase in your bond. Make it a habit to soothe your horse frequently as you ride.
- Feeding: Horses love treats! You can feed your horse by holding an item from your inventory and standing near its head. Apples are a common and effective choice, but Endura Carrots are a special favorite that will significantly boost your bond and temporarily increase its stamina.
According to Dr. Hylia Elmsworth, a fictional expert on Hyrule’s fauna, “The relationship between a rider and their steed is symbiotic. Consistent, gentle interaction is key. The soothing gesture reassures the animal, while providing food builds a powerful positive association, cementing the horse’s trust in its rider.”
The Benefits of a High Bond
A fully bonded horse unlocks its true potential. It will:
- Respond to your whistle from a greater distance.
- Follow paths automatically without needing constant direction.
- Gain the ability to sidle and prance backward, giving you more precise control.
- Never disobey a command to gallop or change direction.
Registering and Customizing at the Stable
Once you’ve tamed a wild horse, your next stop should be a stable. These welcoming outposts are scattered all across Hyrule and serve as the hub for all your equestrian needs.
How Stables Work
Talk to the front desk manager to register your new horse. This allows you to give it a name and board it at any stable in Hyrule. You can take out any of your registered horses whenever you visit a stable. Registering your horse is crucial, as it makes the horse officially yours and allows you to customize its gear.
Customizing Your Steed
As you complete certain side quests and challenges, you’ll earn new saddles and bridles. You can change your horse’s gear by speaking with the stable attendant who tends to the horses outside. This allows you to personalize your mount’s appearance, making your companion truly unique. In Tears of the Kingdom, you also gain the ability to equip a towing harness, which allows your horse to pull carts and other contraptions, adding a new layer to its utility.
A close-up of a registered horse in a stable being fed an apple, an essential part of Zelda horse training for bonding.
Boosting Your Horse’s Stats: The Horse God Malanya
What if you’ve found a horse you love, but its stats aren’t the best? In both Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, you can seek the help of Malanya, the enigmatic Horse God.
Finding and Appeasing Malanya
Malanya resides in a special fountain, located in the south of Hyrule. In Breath of the Wild, it’s near the Lake of the Horse God. In Tears of the Kingdom, Malanya has moved to a new location in the Akkala region. Upon your first visit, you’ll need to make an offering to awaken the great fairy.
Once awakened, Malanya can perform two incredible services:
- Revive Fallen Horses: If your registered horse tragically dies in battle or from an accident, Malanya can bring it back to life.
- Upgrade Horse Stats: This is the pinnacle of Zelda horse training. By offering specific meals, you can ask Malanya to improve a horse’s Strength, Speed, Stamina, or Pull (in TOTK only). Each stat can be upgraded to a maximum of five stars.
This feature allows you to take any horse, even that first gentle, spotted one, and transform it into a five-star champion.
Special Mounts of Hyrule
Beyond the wild herds, there are several unique and legendary horses you can find and tame. These special mounts often come with fixed, impressive stats and a rich history within the world of Hyrule.
Legendary Steeds to Discover
- Epona: Link’s iconic horse from past adventures can be obtained in both games, typically through an Amiibo scan. She always arrives with perfect stats and a maxed-out bond.
- The Giant Horse: Found in the Taobab Grasslands in BOTW, this colossal black and red horse has maximum strength and stamina but cannot gallop. It’s a true beast of burden and a formidable sight.
- The Royal White Stallion: A descendant of Princess Zelda’s personal mount, this beautiful white horse can be found in the fields north of Hyrule Ridge. It boasts excellent stamina.
- The Golden Horse: In Tears of the Kingdom, you can embark on a quest to find Zelda’s new Golden Horse, a stunning creature with a shimmering coat and well-rounded stats.
These special horses often require more stamina to tame than an average wild horse, so be prepared for a challenge when you seek them out.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do I make my horse go faster in Zelda?
A horse’s top speed is determined by its Speed stat. You can find wild horses with higher Speed stats (usually solid-colored ones) or upgrade a horse’s speed by visiting the Horse God Malanya. Repeatedly spurring your horse will make it gallop, but this uses up its stamina spurs.
Can you tame bears or other animals in Zelda?
Yes, you can temporarily ride other animals like bears, deer, and even Lynels (though for a very short time!). However, these creatures cannot be registered at a stable, so you cannot keep them as permanent mounts.
How does the Towing Harness work in Tears of the Kingdom?
After accumulating enough Pony Points by using stables, you can redeem them for a Towing Harness. You can have a stable master equip it to your horse. This allows you to attach wagons, carts, and Zonai contraptions to your horse using the Ultrahand ability.
What is the best horse in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom?
“Best” can be subjective. For balanced performance, the Royal White Stallion or the Golden Horse are excellent choices. For raw power, the Giant Horse is unmatched. If you have the Amiibo, Epona is a fantastic all-around option with maxed stats from the start. Otherwise, a wild horse with 5-star stats that you’ve upgraded with Malanya can be the best.
Does my horse’s bond reset if it gets hurt?
No, your horse’s bond will not decrease if it takes damage. The bond is only built through positive actions like soothing and feeding. However, if your horse is defeated, you will need to visit Malanya to have it revived.
Your Adventure Awaits
Mastering Zelda horse training is a rewarding experience that transforms your journey across Hyrule. A trusted steed saves you time, helps you in combat, and becomes a true companion on your epic quest. From the quiet patience of taming to the satisfying moment your horse reaches its full potential, the equestrian system adds incredible depth to the world. So get out there, explore the wild plains, and find the perfect four-legged friend to share in your adventure.
