Exploring the vast open world of Hyrule inThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wildcan be a daunting task if you’re traveling on foot. Thankfully, the game allows you to tame and ride horses, making exploration much faster and more efficient. Learning how to tame a horse in Zelda is not only practical but also a fun and immersive part of the gameplay experience. Horses come in various shapes, sizes, and temperaments, and understanding how to approach, calm, and register them is essential for players looking to build a bond with their steed and journey across the kingdom with style and speed.
Where to Find Wild Horses in Zelda
Common Locations
Wild horses roam freely in certain grassy regions of Hyrule. Some of the best places to find them include:
- Hyrule Field North of the Great Plateau and west of Hyrule Castle.
- Dueling Peaks Stable area Near the twin mountains, a common early-game spot.
- Faron Grasslands Rich in diverse horse breeds.
Wild horses typically gather in small herds, and some are easier to tame than others depending on their temperament and stamina.
How to Approach Wild Horses
Approaching a horse too quickly or loudly will cause it to flee. To tame a horse in Zelda, you need to:
- Use stealth Crouch by pressing the left control stick and move slowly toward the horse from behind.
- Avoid detection Stay out of the horse’s direct line of sight and avoid rustling through tall grass.
- Unequip noisy armor Some gear makes noise that will alert animals.
Patience is key. Rushing the approach will usually result in the horse running away before you get close enough to mount it.
How to Mount and Calm the Horse
Mounting the Horse
Once you’re close enough, press the interact button to quickly mount the horse. As soon as you’re on its back, it will begin to buck and try to throw you off. This is where stamina and calming techniques come into play.
Calming the Horse
To successfully tame a horse in Zelda, you must repeatedly press the soothe button to calm it down. Each attempt at taming consumes a portion of your stamina. If your stamina runs out before the horse is calm, you’ll be thrown off. To improve your chances:
- Increase stamina Completing Shrines and trading Spirit Orbs can help raise your stamina wheel.
- Choose easier horses first Solid-color horses are often easier to tame than multicolored or spotted ones.
Some high-end horses, like the Giant Horse or the rare White Stallion, require nearly two full wheels of stamina to tame successfully.
Bonding With Your Horse
How to Increase Horse Affection
After taming a horse, your bond with it starts low. To strengthen your relationship:
- Feed the horse apples or carrots.
- Soothe it during the ridewhenever it obeys your commands.
- Avoid rough terrain or damagethat can frighten the horse.
As the bond increases, the horse will become more obedient, responding better to directional commands and stops.
Benefits of a Strong Bond
Once you have a good bond with your horse, it will:
- Come to you when called using the whistle (within a certain range).
- Follow paths on its own when allowed to gallop freely.
- Respond more accurately to your commands during tense situations.
Building a strong bond is essential for traveling safely across Hyrule, especially when encountering enemies or harsh terrain.
Registering Your Horse
How to Register a Tamed Horse
After taming and calming a horse, you’ll need to register it at a stable to make it your own. Follow these steps:
- Ride your horse to the nearest stable.
- Speak to the person at the counter.
- Pay a small fee of 20 rupees to register the horse.
- Give your horse a custom name.
Once registered, your horse will be stored in the stable system, allowing you to retrieve it from any other stable across the map.
Stabling and Swapping Horses
You can board up to five horses at a time. If you want to tame more, you’ll need to release one or swap them out. Stables are also a place to check your horse’s stats, which include:
- Strength How durable the horse is in battle or rough terrain.
- Speed How fast the horse can gallop.
- Stamina The number of galloping spurs available.
- Temperament Whether the horse is gentle or wild.
Each horse has unique traits, so you may want to collect different ones for various situations.
Customizing Your Horse
Saddles and Bridles
Once your horse has a strong enough bond, you can customize its gear. Special stables like the one in Outskirt or Highland will allow you to change saddles and bridles. These cosmetic upgrades can also affect performance slightly, especially if you equip items like the Ancient Bridle (increasing stamina) or Traveler’s Saddle.
Horse Gear Rewards
You can earn horse gear by:
- Completing side quests involving horses.
- Winning mounted archery challenges.
- Finding treasure chests in hidden areas.
These accessories are a nice way to personalize your steed and improve your overall experience.
Special and Rare Horses
Unique Horses to Tame
Beyond regular wild horses,Breath of the Wildalso features several legendary mounts:
- Giant Horse Massive and strong but lacks speed and cannot gallop.
- White Stallion A descendant of Zelda’s royal horse; requires high stamina to tame.
- Lord of the Mountain A mystical steed found at Satori Mountain; cannot be registered.
These horses offer unique experiences and are sought after by many players. Taming them often requires patience and preparation.
Tips for Capturing Rare Horses
Rare horses are more easily spooked and harder to tame. Tips for success include:
- Approach at night or during fog to reduce visibility.
- Increase your stealth stat with elixirs or gear.
- Use stamina-boosting food to extend your calming duration.
Capturing one of these majestic animals is a great achievement and adds prestige to your adventures.
Taming a horse in Zelda is an essential skill for anyone hoping to explore the vast world of Hyrule efficiently. It’s more than just a means of transport it’s a bond you build, a companion for your journey, and a reflection of your style as a player. Whether you’re riding through grassy plains, scaling mountainous paths, or dashing toward battle, a loyal horse by your side enhances every moment. Take the time to find, tame, and bond with your perfect steed, and Hyrule will open itself up to you in ways you never imagined.