You get Epona, the iconic horse in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, by visiting Lon Lon Ranch as Young Link, learning Epona’s Song, and then returning later as Adult Link to ride her in Hyrule Field.
This guide will walk you through every step needed to gain the trust of this amazing animal and make her your loyal steed. Getting Epona is a rite of passage for any aspiring hero in Hyrule. It makes traveling across the large world much faster.
Finding Epona’s Location in Ocarina of Time
The first step in securing your horse involves knowing exactly where to go. Epona is not found just anywhere; she resides in a specific, important location.
Lon Lon Ranch Epona: Home Base
The place you need to visit is Lon Lon Ranch. This ranch sits in the center of Hyrule Field. It is a large, circular area enclosed by a fence. Inside, you will find cows, milk, and, most importantly, Epona.
When you first arrive in Hyrule as Young Link, the ranch might be run by Talon and his daughter Malon. If you see Ingo, the ranch manager, you know you are in the right time period for the main events involving Epona.
The Ocarina of Time Epona location is fixed: it is always within the walls of Lon Lon Ranch until you successfully bond with her.
Acquiring Epona as Young Link: Learning the Song
Young Link cannot ride Epona permanently, but he must complete a crucial task to prepare for the future. This task involves learning a special tune.
Visiting Lon Lon Ranch Early
When you first enter the ranch as Young Link, talk to Malon. She is usually found near the center, often singing near a small group of cows.
If you talk to her a few times, she will eventually ask if you want to hear a song. Agree to listen.
Epona’s Song Ocarina of Time: The Key Melody
Malon will teach you Epona’s Song Ocarina of Time. This song is vital. It is a beautiful, simple melody that calms and attracts Epona.
Make sure you learn the song correctly and save it to one of your Ocarina slots. Practice playing it until you never miss a note. This song works on Epona both when you are Young Link and when you return as Adult Link.
Table 1: Young Link’s Task Summary
| Action | Location | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Find Malon | Lon Lon Ranch | Learn Epona’s Song |
| Play the Song | Lon Lon Ranch | Epona reacts positively |
Finding Epona as Young Link is mostly about preparation. You cannot truly gain her as a companion yet, but you secure the necessary tool: the song.
Transitioning to Adult Link: The Next Phase
After you pull the Master Sword from the pedestal in the Temple of Time, you become Adult Link. Time has passed in Hyrule. Things have changed at Lon Lon Ranch.
The Change at Lon Lon Ranch
When you return to Lon Lon Ranch as Adult Link, you will find that Ingo is now in charge. He runs the ranch harshly. Epona might be harder to approach now. The peaceful atmosphere is gone.
Ingo will likely be shouting at people or working on his selfish plans. Your goal now shifts from learning a song to using that song to gain access and bonding with Epona Ocarina of Time.
Locating Epona Again
Head straight to the corral in the center of the ranch. Epona should be there, usually pacing near the center.
How to Call Epona Ocarina of Time
This step is where your hard work as Young Link pays off. You must use the learned melody to summon your friend.
Playing the Song for Epona
Equip your Ocarina. Stand where you can see Epona clearly but are not too far away. Play Epona’s Song Ocarina of Time.
When Epona hears the tune, she will stop what she is doing. She will trot over to you, eager to hear the melody again. This is the first sign of true bonding with Epona Ocarina of Time.
If you play the song and she ignores you, check two things:
1. Are you playing the song correctly?
2. Are you close enough to the fence or open area?
Getting Epona in Hyrule Field
Once Epona approaches, you can mount her. To do this, simply walk up to her side while she is calm and press the action button. If you are successful, Link will jump onto her back.
However, you are not officially the owner yet. Ingo notices this bonding moment and gets very angry.
The Challenge: Winning Epona from Ingo
Ingo does not like that Epona responds to you. He will challenge you to a race. This is the only way to officially earn Epona as your companion and secure her freedom.
Accepting Ingo’s Wager
Ingo will challenge you to a simple horse race for a small amount of Rupees. Accept this first race. The goal here is just to learn the controls. Winning the first race is easy if you know how to use the carrots (your boost).
The Final Bet
After winning the first race, Ingo will get more aggressive. He will demand a second race, but this time, the stakes are much higher. He will wager Epona herself. If you win, Epona is yours. If you lose, you lose all your Rupees.
Horse Racing Tactics: Winning the Bet
To successfully win the final race and secure Epona, you must master the use of your speed boosts, represented by carrots.
Grasping the Boost System:
- Epona has a limited number of speed boosts (carrots).
- Use them wisely. A full set of five carrots allows for five short bursts of speed.
- Save your carrots for the final stretch of the track.
Strategy Breakdown:
- Start Slow: Do not use any carrots at the beginning of the race. Let Ingo take the lead.
- First Lap: Use one or two carrots near the first major turn to stay close to Ingo. You need to conserve fuel.
- Second Lap: This is the critical lap. You need to pass Ingo before the final straightaway.
- Use one or two carrots as you enter the back side of the track.
- If Ingo is still ahead, use your last remaining carrots just before the final curve leading into the home stretch.
- Finish Strong: Once you pass Ingo, he will usually use his remaining carrots in a desperate attempt to catch up. Keep moving forward without using any more boosts if you don’t have any left.
Winning this second race results in Ingo locking you and Epona inside the ranch.
Securing Your Horse: The Escape Route
Ingo is furious after you win and traps you. You must now figure out Ocarina of Time horse acquisition beyond just winning the bet.
The Fence Jump
Since Ingo locks the gates, you cannot simply walk out. You need Epona’s speed to jump the fence.
- Ride Epona toward the main wooden fence surrounding the ranch.
- Gain a good running speed.
- As you approach the fence, use one final carrot boost right before you hit it.
If done correctly, Epona will leap over the fence. Congratulations! You have officially won Epona. Ingo will be furious and run off the screen.
Once you jump the fence, Epona is officially yours. She will wait for you outside the ranch in Hyrule Field.
Registering Epona and Post-Acquisition Steps
Now that you have Epona, you need to make sure you can always summon her, regardless of where you are in Hyrule Field.
The Importance of Registration
To ensure you can always summon Epona when you are getting Epona in Hyrule Field, you must register Epona Ocarina of Time.
Return to Lon Lon Ranch, but this time, you do not need to speak to anyone. Go up to Epona and mount her. Ride her near the entrance area where you first met Malon.
A prompt will appear asking if you wish to register Epona. Say yes. You will need to assign the summoning song to an empty C-button slot. This effectively locks in the mechanic.
How to Call Epona Ocarina of Time Anytime
Once registered, you can summon her from almost anywhere in the large expanse of Hyrule Field.
- Stand in Hyrule Field.
- Select the C-button slot where you saved Epona’s Song Ocarina of Time.
- Play the song.
Epona will gallop toward you from the horizon.
Note on Finding Epona as Adult Link: Even if Ingo is somehow back or you lose Epona temporarily (which usually only happens if you enter a town or dungeon), playing the song in Hyrule Field will bring her back, provided you completed the steps above.
Utilizing Epona in Hyrule
Epona is more than just a fast travel method; she is a tool essential for certain parts of the game progression.
Speed and Travel Benefits
Epona dramatically cuts down travel time between major locations like Kakariko Village, Hyrule Castle Town, and the Gerudo Valley.
Epona-Exclusive Actions
Epona allows you to perform specific actions that Link cannot do on foot:
- Jumping Obstacles: She can jump over small streams, low walls, and gaps in the road.
- Target Practice: Certain challenges, like shooting targets while riding, require Epona.
Gerudo Valley Bridge Repair
One of the most important uses of Epona is related to Gerudo Valley. An essential bridge leading to the Gerudo Desert is broken when you are an adult.
To cross the chasm, you must build up enough speed on Epona and use a carrot boost just before the edge to clear the gap. This allows access to the Spirit Temple.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sometimes players run into roadblocks when trying to secure their horse. Here are solutions for common problems related to Ocarina of Time horse acquisition.
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Epona does not come when I play the song. | You are not in Hyrule Field, or she is not registered. | Enter Hyrule Field and play the song. If that fails, re-register her at the ranch. |
| Ingo keeps winning the race. | You are using boosts too early or too often. | Save your boosts for the last half of the second lap. Never use them at the very start. |
| I can’t jump the fence. | You did not have enough speed or missed the final boost. | Ride near the fence and hit the boost button just before impact. Try a different section of the fence if one area seems too high. |
| I can’t find Malon as Young Link. | You might be in the wrong time period or she is elsewhere. | Ensure you have completed the first dungeon and returned to the present time for the adult portion. Malon is always at the ranch. |
Finalizing the Bonding with Epona Ocarina of Time
The process of getting Epona in Hyrule Field is a journey involving two time periods. It starts with kindness as Young Link and culminates in a challenge as Adult Link.
Mastering the use of Epona’s Song Ocarina of Time and winning the bet against Ingo are the two non-negotiable steps. Once you have successfully jumped the fence, Epona is bound to you through that song forever. This makes traversing the vast world much less tedious and significantly more enjoyable.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I get Epona as Young Link?
A: No, Young Link can learn Epona’s Song and earn her trust, but he cannot officially own or ride her outside the ranch until he becomes Adult Link and wins the race against Ingo.
Q: What if I never learned Epona’s Song as Young Link?
A: If you missed Malon, you can still get Epona as Adult Link. Go to Lon Lon Ranch and play Epona’s Song for Ingo. He will teach it to you, but it costs Rupees. After he teaches you, proceed with the racing challenge.
Q: Can Epona enter Kakariko Village or Hyrule Town?
A: No. Epona cannot enter any walled-off areas, towns, or dungeons. If you ride toward a gate, she will stop, and you must dismount to proceed on foot.
Q: How do I make Epona run faster with the boosts?
A: Epona has five carrots (boosts) per summoning. You use the assigned C-button when riding her. Use them in short bursts; holding the button down for too long will deplete them quickly without maximizing the speed increase.