Can you tame a horse in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild? Yes, you absolutely can tame horses in Zelda BotW taming horses. This guide will show you exactly how to start your journey into Taming wild horses in BotW and building strong bonds with your new equine friends.
The Basics of Securing a Wild Horse in Breath of the Wild
Finding and capturing a wild horse is one of the first exciting adventures Link faces in Hyrule. These majestic animals can greatly speed up your travel across the vast map. However, wild horses are skittish and require patience to catch.
Preparing for Your Hunt
Before you try to sneak up on any horse, you need the right gear and approach. Success depends on stealth and stamina management.
Essential Items Checklist
- Stealth Armor: The Sheikah Set (purchased in Kakariko Village) greatly reduces the noise Link makes. Even a few pieces help a lot.
- Stamina Boosts: Meals or elixirs that temporarily increase your maximum stamina wheel are crucial. Running out of stamina mid-chase means losing your target.
- Bridles and Saddles: You will need these items to officially register and use your horse. You get your first set from the stable master early in the game.
Where to Find Horses Breath of the Wild
Horses roam many open fields in Hyrule. Knowing Where to find horses Breath of the Wild can save you time looking in dangerous areas.
| Region | Common Horse Locations | Horse Type Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hyrule Field | Open plains near stables, Central Hyrule. | Standard colors, average stats. |
| Eldin Canyon | Rocky areas near the Tabantha Grasslands border. | Slightly hardier horses often found here. |
| Akkala | The northeastern regions, usually near smaller clearings. | Can sometimes yield higher-rated horses. |
| Faron Region | Lush, dense grasslands, often near rivers. | Standard types, but watch out for aggressive wildlife. |
Avoid areas with high concentrations of enemies like Bokoblin camps. A fight will scare away any nearby horses.
Step-by-Step Guide to Taming: How to Calm a Wild Horse BotW
The process of Zelda Link taming mechanics involves stealth, approach, and endurance. Follow these steps carefully to master the art of How to calm a wild horse BotW.
Phase 1: The Stealth Approach
Wild horses have excellent hearing and vision. You must approach slowly.
- Equip Stealth Gear: Put on your Sheikah armor or eat a stealth-boosting meal.
- Crouch: Press the left stick (L3) to make Link crouch. This reduces your noise signature significantly.
- Move Slowly: Walk toward the horse very slowly. If the horse raises its head or stomps its foot, you are moving too fast. Stop immediately and wait for it to relax again.
- Wind Direction Matters: Always approach from downwind. The wind direction is shown on your mini-map (the small arrow indicates where the wind blows to). Approaching into the wind lets the horse smell you easily.
Phase 2: The Mount and the Struggle
Once you are close enough (about one horse length away), you can attempt to mount it.
- Mount: Press the ‘A’ button when prompted to jump onto the horse’s back.
- Hold Tight: The horse will immediately buck violently. You must spam the ‘L’ button to keep Link holding onto the reins.
- Use Stamina: While holding ‘L’, the horse will use its stamina bar (the one near Link’s stamina wheel) to try and throw you off. You must use your own stamina wheel to soothe the horse.
- Press the ‘A’ button repeatedly when the horse is bucking hard to soothe it. This drains your stamina.
- Do not let your own stamina wheel empty completely. If it does, Link cannot soothe the horse, and it will throw him off.
This is the hardest part of Securing a wild horse in Breath of the Wild. If you have a full stamina wheel (or better yet, two bonus wheels from elixirs), this step becomes much easier.
Phase 3: Establishing Bond and Registration
If you successfully survive the initial bucking, the horse will settle down.
- Calm Period: The horse will still move around, but it won’t actively try to throw you off. Continue stroking it gently by tapping ‘A’ whenever you have a moment to help Breath of the Wild horse bonding.
- Riding to the Stable: Now you can move. Use the horse to travel directly to the nearest stable. Do not try to fight or do anything strenuous; just ride there.
- Registration: Talk to the stable owner. For a small fee (usually 20 Rupees), you can register the horse. This gives it a name, stables it safely, and allows you to summon it later.
Gauging Horse Quality: Stats and Potential
Not all horses are created equal. The Best way to catch a horse in Zelda involves targeting those with high base stats.
Horse Stats Explained
Every horse has ratings for five key attributes. These are shown as stars (1 to 5).
- Strength: How much damage the horse can take before Link is dismounted or the horse dies. Higher strength means more endurance in a fight.
- Speed: How fast the horse runs at top speed.
- Stamina: How long the horse can gallop before needing a rest. (Note: This is not Link’s stamina wheel; it’s the horse’s own fatigue meter when galloping).
- Temperament: How easily the horse gets spooked or how difficult it is to tame.
- Pull: (Less important for standard travel) Affects how well it pulls a cart.
Identifying Top-Tier Horses
Look for horses with a high total star count. Finding a 5-star horse across all categories is extremely rare, often requiring specific locations or challenging encounters.
| Star Rating | Total Stats | Typical Appearance | Taming Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2 Stars | Poor | Often thin, patchy coloring. | Easy to moderate. |
| 3 Stars | Average | Standard coloration, healthy look. | Moderate. |
| 4 Stars | Good | Solid build, vibrant coat. | Requires good stamina. |
| 5 Stars | Excellent | Muscular build, unique markings. | Very difficult; needs max stamina. |
Tip: Look at the horse’s face and build. Thicker necks and stronger legs usually indicate better stats, even before you check the stats menu.
Advanced Techniques for Training Horses in The Legend of Zelda BOTW
Simply catching a horse is just the start. To truly utilize your mount, you need to build a bond. This leads to better performance during travel.
Increasing Horse Bonding
Breath of the Wild horse bonding is achieved through consistent care and use. The bond meter starts low and fills up as you interact positively with the horse.
- Soothing While Riding: Even after the initial capture, continue tapping ‘A’ to soothe your horse when you are riding it calmly. This slowly increases the bond.
- Feeding: While you cannot feed a horse directly in the field, you can feed it specific apples or carrots at a stable to boost its mood slightly before a long ride.
- Keeping It Safe: Never let your registered horse get defeated in battle if you can avoid it. Stabling it when entering dangerous areas shows you care!
As your bond increases, the horse will respond faster to your commands and will require less stamina from Link to keep galloping. Eventually, a fully bonded horse will allow Link to ride further without needing to rest its own stamina meter.
Mastering Horse Riding Tips Zelda BOTW
Once tamed, you need to learn how to use your horse effectively for navigation and combat.
Galloping and Stamina Management
Use the gallop feature sparingly. It drains the horse’s stamina bar quickly.
- Canter First: Ride at a steady trot to cover ground efficiently without heavy stamina drain.
- Burst Gallop: Only switch to a full gallop when crossing large, open fields or escaping danger.
- Rest Cycle: When the horse’s stamina bar starts flashing red, stop galloping immediately and let it recover for a few seconds before resuming a trot.
Combat on Horseback
Combat on horseback can be tricky, especially for newcomers to Horse riding tips Zelda BOTW.
- Attacks: You can swing your weapon while riding, but Link will slow down slightly. Aim for wide, sweeping attacks to hit multiple smaller enemies.
- Archery: Firing arrows while mounted is possible. It requires precise timing, as the horse’s movement can throw off your aim.
- Dismounting: For precise combat or using runes (like bombs), it is often better to quickly dismount by pressing ‘X’ and engaging enemies on foot, especially against difficult foes like Lynels.
The Rarity of Special Horses
While most horses are standard, some unique horses exist that offer superior stats or special appearances. These often require more effort to locate and tame.
The Royal White Stallion
This is a famous horse, often linked to Zelda herself. It usually has excellent stats, particularly in Speed and Stamina. Where to find horses Breath of the Wild for this specific steed usually points toward specific zones near Hyrule Castle. Taming it requires the patience needed for any high-star animal, but the reward is worth the effort due to its high base quality.
The Giant Horse
Found in the Taobab Grassland region to the southwest, the Giant Horse is famous for its massive size and high Strength rating.
- Strength Focus: This horse is a tank. It has very high health, making it ideal for crossing dangerous terrain or surviving minor enemy encounters.
- Speed/Stamina Trade-off: Be warned: Giant Horses often have poor Speed and Stamina ratings. They are slow but incredibly durable. They are poor choices for long-distance racing but great for rugged travel.
Comprehending Stable Mechanics
Stables are essential hubs for any rider. They are where you manage your herd and gear up for rides.
Stable Services Table
| Service | Cost | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Registering a Horse | 20 Rupees | Allows you to keep the horse permanently. |
| Boarding a Horse | Free | Keep up to five horses stored safely. |
| Renting a Horse | 10 Rupees/hour | Temporary access to a stable horse. |
| Equipping Gear | Varies (must own gear) | Attach saddles and bridles bought from the store. |
When you register a horse, make sure you are using the best bridle and saddle set you have purchased. Better gear slightly improves handling and makes the initial taming process smoother for future attempts, even if it doesn’t affect the current horse’s base stats.
If you want to specialize in Training horses in The Legend of Zelda BOTW, always return to the stables to check on your favorites and switch out their gear.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I register every horse I tame?
Yes, you can register any wild horse you successfully tame, up to a maximum of five horses per stable, though you can move them between stables.
What happens if my horse dies?
If your registered horse dies (usually from enemy attacks), it is gone permanently from the world. You will need to go back to the stable owner and pay a small fee to have the horse’s name removed from the roster. You must then go out and tame a new one.
How long does it take to reach maximum bond level?
Reaching the maximum bond level requires significant time spent riding and soothing the horse. It generally takes several hours of continuous riding and positive reinforcement (tapping A) to max out the bond meter for one horse.
Are there special colored horses worth taming?
Yes, horses like the Zelda’s White Stallion or the Giant Horse are notable due to their unique appearance and superior base stats in one or more categories compared to the standard brown or black horses.
Do I need a saddle and bridle to tame a horse?
No. You do not need gear to tame a horse. You only need the gear to officially register the horse at a stable so you can call it later and use its full potential. Focus on stamina and stealth for the capture itself.