Zelda’s special horse in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (BOTW) is actually a specific, named horse that belongs to Princess Zelda, and it is not obtainable directly through normal gameplay mechanics like capturing wild horses. However, players can acquire horses that look like her iconic steed, or use amiibo to summon the Twilight Princess horse, Epona.
This guide will walk you through all the ways you can get horses resembling Zelda’s mount, or acquire other highly sought-after special horses Zelda BOTW offers, including Epona location Breath of the Wild details and tips for registering powerful horses BOTW.
Finding the Closest Match: Zelda’s Royal Steed
While you cannot get the exact horse Zelda rides in cutscenes, you can find a horse that looks very much like it. This horse is often referenced by players when asking how to get Zelda’s horse Botw. It’s a beautiful white horse, often with a perfect temperament.
Where to Find the White Horse
The closest match to Zelda’s horse is a unique white horse found in the wild. This horse is notably strong and has excellent stats compared to a standard wild horse.
- Location: You can find this magnificent white horse grazing near the Tabantha Tower area, specifically in the fields leading towards the Tabantha Tundra. It is sometimes seen near the Snowfield Stable area, too.
- Appearance: It is pure white with a flowing white mane. It often has a very high base stat for stamina.
- Taming Tips: This horse is often quite skittish. You must sneak up on it carefully. Equip warm clothing so Link stays steady. Approach slowly while holding down the ‘sneak’ button (L3 on most controllers). When you get close enough, mount it quickly. Be ready with plenty of stamina elixirs! This horse requires a good amount of stamina to break initially.
This is often the easiest way to obtain a “Zelda-like” horse without needing extra hardware.
Summoning Epona: The Twilight Princess Horse Breath of the Wild
Many players confuse Zelda’s generic white horse with the legendary brown mare, Epona. Epona is Link’s loyal companion from previous titles, especially Ocarina of Time and Twilight Princess. You can summon Epona in BOTW using a specific amiibo. This is one of the most reliable methods for getting special horses Zelda BOTW.
Amiibo Requirement for Epona
To bring Epona into Hyrule, you need the Twilight Princess horse Breath of the Wild, Epona, via her dedicated amiibo.
- Required Amiibo: The Twilight Princess Link amiibo (often found in the 8-bit, modern, or Super Smash Bros. series).
- How Amiibo Work: You access the amiibo functionality by equipping the Rune in your Sheikah Slate. Hold the ‘ZL’ button and navigate to the amiibo icon. Select the amiibo you want to use, and place the figure on the NFC reader (usually on the bottom of your controller or console).
The Zelda Horse Summoning Guide for Epona
Follow these steps precisely to summon Epona:
- Check Your Inventory: Make sure you have the required amiibo handy.
- Activate the Rune: Go into your menu and activate the ‘Amiibo’ rune on your Sheikah Slate.
- Placement: Choose the amiibo slot for the amiibo you are using and place the figure on the reader.
- Spawn Point: Epona will spawn nearby on the ground, ready to be ridden. Note that the game might drop items or food before the horse appears.
Important Note: You can only use each amiibo once per day. If you try to summon Epona two days in a row, you will need to wait 24 real-time hours before the game allows you to summon her again.
Registering Epona at Stables
Once Epona appears, you must immediately take her to a stable to officially make her yours.
- Stables are Key: If you don’t register her, she will disappear after a short time.
- Process: Ride Epona to any stable (like the one near Lookout Landing or Kakariko Village). Speak to the stable hand and choose the option to register your horse. She will be permanently added to your stable roster.
This method is the only way to guarantee you have Epona location Breath of the Wild permanently stored.
Other Unique and Powerful Horses in BOTW
Beyond Zelda’s lookalike and Epona, BOTW features several best horses in Zelda BOTW candidates. These horses offer superior stats, making them excellent mounts for exploring the vast world of Hyrule. Knowing where to find these unique horses Zelda roam is crucial for serious riders.
The Giant Horse Location Breath of the Wild
One of the most imposing and powerful horses is the Giant Horse. It has incredible strength and the highest health pool in the game. While its speed and stamina are low, its sheer power and ability to shrug off low attacks make it a favorite.
- Location: The Giant Horse location Breath of the Wild is very specific: the Taobab Grassland, located southwest of Central Hyrule, near the Lake Hylia area. Look for a small group of large horses grazing there.
- Taming Strategy: This horse requires significant stamina to tame. You will need at least two full stamina wheels, or preferably, consume stamina-boosting food or elixirs before attempting to mount it. Sneak up as you would with any wild horse, and prepare for a long battle of wills! Once tamed, rush it to a stable immediately.
| Horse Type | Best Stats For | Location Hint | Taming Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| White Horse (Zelda Lookalike) | Stamina/Versatility | Tabantha Tundra Edge | Medium |
| Epona (Amiibo Only) | Balanced Stats | Summoned via Amiibo | Easy (Once Summoned) |
| Giant Horse | Strength/Health | Taobab Grassland | Hard (Stamina Intensive) |
| Royal White Stallion | Speed/Control | Snowfield Stable Area | Medium |
The Royal White Stallion
This horse is often considered the second-best tameable horse, rivaling the wild white horse. It is known for its excellent control and good speed, though its stamina might not match the best wild breeds.
- Finding the Royal White Stallion: This rare horse is found roaming near the Snowfield Stable in the northern reaches of the map, close to the border of the Hebra mountains. It is usually alone and quite noticeable due to its unique appearance (a white horse, sometimes with a silver/gold saddle decoration visible on its back).
- Bonding: This horse responds very well to high bonding levels, making it excellent for players focused on Zelda horse bonding guide techniques.
Mastering Horse Bonding in BOTW
Regardless of whether you choose the Giant Horse, the white lookalike, or Epona, your relationship with the horse affects its performance significantly. A strong bond means the horse listens better and uses less stamina when running. This is key to registering powerful horses BOTW and utilizing them effectively.
The Zelda Horse Bonding Guide
Bonding, or friendship level, is a hidden stat between 0 and 5 hearts for every horse. Increasing this level makes the horse respond faster to commands and reduces the stamina cost of spurring it on.
Methods to Increase Bonding:
- Riding Time: Simply riding the horse around the world increases the bond slightly. Longer rides are better than short trips.
- Feeding: Feed your horse apples, carrots, or other treats at the stable. Each item fed boosts the bond level temporarily.
- Grooming: When you stop to rest or stable your horse, you can choose the ‘Groom’ option. Grooming once per resting period gives a small but reliable boost.
- Reassuring: When your horse gets scared by sudden noises (like thunderstorms or nearby monsters), tap the L-stick toward the horse and press ‘A’ to calm it. This gives a significant bonding boost.
How to Check Your Bond Level:
When you are riding a horse and look at its status screen (by holding down the left control stick while mounted), you can see the number of hearts it currently has filled. If you see only one heart, the bond is low. If you see five hearts, the bond is maxed out.
If you are consistently feeding and grooming a horse you acquired via the Zelda horse summoning guide (like Epona), you should see the bond rise quickly.
Using Amiibo Horses Breath of the Wild
While Epona is the most famous amiibo horse, several other amiibo figures grant you access to amiibo horses Breath of the Wild. These are typically one-time drops per day, similar to the Epona summoning process.
Non-Epona Amiibo Horses
Certain Link amiibo figures drop generic, but high-stat, horses. These horses sometimes have unique coloring or markings, making them finding unique horses Zelda endeavors worthwhile.
| Amiibo Figure | Potential Drop | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wolf Link (Any Series) | Standard Horse or Epona (Rarely) | Wolf Link also brings Midna! |
| Archer Link (Smash Bros.) | Standard Horse | Good general loot drops. |
| Rider Link (Smash Bros.) | Standard or Epona | Highest chance for Epona outside of TP Link. |
| Link (Ocarina of Time) | Standard Horse | Often spawns good quality loot. |
If you are specifically looking for the best non-Epona amiibo horses Breath of the Wild, try summoning with the Rider Link Smash Bros. amiibo, as this figure is often associated with mounts in the game’s files. Remember, these horses must be registered at a stable immediately after spawning.
Practical Horse Management in BOTW
Acquiring powerful steeds is only half the battle. Managing them is key, especially if you plan on keeping multiple best horses in Zelda BOTW.
Stable Capacity and Management
Every stable can only hold a limited number of horses. You start with the ability to register three horses at any stable.
- Increasing Capacity: By visiting more stables across Hyrule, you effectively increase your total available stable slots across the map. However, any single stable can only hold a maximum of three of your horses at any one time.
- Naming and Customization: When you register a horse, you can give it a custom name and choose its saddle and bridle style (if you have unlocked specific customization options through side quests or DLC).
When to Let a Horse Go
Sometimes, a horse you initially tamed might not measure up. Perhaps you found a much better horse, or you want to free up a slot.
- Removing a Horse: To remove a horse from your roster, visit any stable. Talk to the stable hand and select the option to manage your horses. You can permanently remove a horse from your service here. This action is irreversible, so choose wisely, especially if you are removing a Giant Horse location Breath of the Wild find!
Deciphering Horse Stats (The Hidden Numbers)
While the game doesn’t explicitly show raw stats easily, players have deduced the core metrics that determine a horse’s quality. When looking for the best horses in Zelda BOTW, you are looking for high numbers in these three areas:
- Strength: How much damage the horse can take before collapsing or being put down. The Giant Horse excels here.
- Speed: How fast the horse runs at maximum sprint.
- Stamina: How long the horse can sprint before needing to rest. The wild white horse often performs well here.
Most standard wild horses have around 2-3 stars in these categories. Any horse with 4 or 5 stars in at least one category is considered exceptional. Epona generally sits at 4/4/4.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I get Zelda’s actual horse that she rides in the Divine Beast cutscenes?
A: No. The specific horse Zelda rides in cutscenes is not obtainable as a rideable entity in the game world. The closest available match is the unique wild white horse found in the Tabantha region.
Q: Do I need to use the amiibo every time I want to summon Epona?
A: Yes. You must use the specific amiibo figure each day you wish to summon Epona or any other amiibo horses Breath of the Wild. You cannot keep her summoned permanently without re-scanning the figure.
Q: Why won’t my horse let me register it at the stable?
A: This usually happens for two reasons. First, you might be trying to register a horse that is already registered elsewhere. Second, you might be trying to register a horse that you haven’t successfully tamed (i.e., you haven’t calmed it down completely after mounting it). Ensure the horse is fully calmed and ride it directly to the stable entrance.
Q: Is the Giant Horse good for long journeys?
A: Not typically. While it has massive health, the Giant Horse location Breath of the Wild residents have very low stamina. They tire out quickly when spurring. They are best used for short bursts of power or for difficult terrain where their high strength is useful.
Q: How do I find more unique horse breeds besides the ones mentioned?
A: Exploration is key to finding unique horses Zelda offers. Check the Faron region for darker horses, and the Gerudo Highlands for horses with slightly different mane colors. Always check stables, as the stable hands sometimes comment on rare horses passing through the area, giving you hints about their location Breath of the Wild.