Yes, you can get a horse, specifically the iconic Epona, in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. This guide will show you exactly how to meet, bond with, and eventually summon your trusty steed, Epona, whether you are playing as Young Link or Adult Link.
The Importance of Having Epona
In the vast world of Hyrule in Ocarina of Time, travel can take a long time on foot. Epona changes everything. She lets you cross Hyrule Field quickly. This saves a lot of waiting time. Epona is also needed to finish some specific tasks in the game. Having her makes traveling much easier and faster.
Epona’s Home Base: Lon Lon Ranch
Before you can call Epona, you must first find out where she lives. Her Epona location is always Lon Lon Ranch. This ranch sits right in the middle of Hyrule Field. It is a large, fenced area with a windmill inside.
Visiting Lon Lon Ranch as Young Link
When Link is young, the ranch is run by the Talon family. You will meet Malon and her father, Talon.
Initial Encounters at Lon Lon Ranch
When you first go to Lon Lon Ranch, you might not be able to ride Epona right away. The ranch is often under the control of Ingo.
Ingo has locked up the ranch and the horses. Your first goal is usually to help Talon win a race against Ingo so Talon can see Malon.
- Go inside the stable area.
- Talk to Talon.
- Agree to help him.
- If you win the first race, Talon will give you a Cucco (chicken) to give to Malon.
- If you talk to Malon after giving her the Cucco, she will mention something about the horse song.
Learning Epona’s Song
This step is key to How to summon Epona later in the game. Malon will teach you a special tune on the Ocarina.
- What Song? Epona’s Song.
- Why is it important? Learning Epona’s Song notes allows you to call her anytime in Hyrule Field later on.
If you speak to Malon and she seems sad or bored, play the Ocarina. She might ask you to play a song. If you play the correct tune, she will teach you Epona’s Song.
Epona’s Song Notes:
| Note | Button (N64/3DS) |
|---|---|
| C Up | C-Up |
| C Left | C-Left |
| C Right | C-Right |
| C Up | C-Up |
| C Left | C-Left |
| C Right | C-Right |
You must play these notes correctly. This is the main step for Getting Epona as Young Link, although full access comes later. You cannot ride her consistently yet as a child because Ingo controls the ranch. If you try to ride her, Ingo will kick you out or charge you rupees.
Visiting Lon Lon Ranch as Adult Link
When Link travels seven years into the future, things have changed at Lon Lon Ranch. Ingo has taken full control. He is meaner and keeps Epona locked up.
This is where you truly secure your partnership with Epona.
The Challenge with Ingo
When you arrive at Lon Lon Ranch Epona is still there, but Ingo guards her closely.
- Enter the ranch area.
- Speak to Ingo.
- He will be arrogant. You must challenge him to a horse race.
Winning the Races
To get Epona, you must beat Ingo twice.
Race 1:
- Cost: 50 Rupees.
- Goal: Finish one lap ahead of Ingo.
- Tip: Use carrots strategically. Only use them when you are slightly behind or need a big boost on a straightaway. Do not waste them around sharp corners where speed is less important than turning.
Race 2 (The Stakes Increase):
- Cost: If you win the first race, Ingo gets angry. He challenges you again, but this time the prize is Epona herself.
- Goal: Win another lap ahead of Ingo.
- Tip: Ingo will try to cheat or cut you off. Stay focused on your carrots. Use them primarily in the middle of the straight paths to build a big lead. Once you are ahead, ride steadily.
Once you win the second race, Ingo is defeated! He locks you in the corral with Epona. This is your chance to escape and claim her permanently.
Escaping with Epona
Ingo will realize he made a mistake. He locks the gate. You need a way out.
- Ride Epona toward the tall wooden fence near the entrance of the ranch.
- As Epona runs, use a carrot boost right before you hit the fence.
- Epona will jump the fence.
- You are now free in Hyrule Field with your horse!
You have successfully acquired Epona as Adult Link. You no longer need to worry about renting a horse in Ocarina of Time because Epona is yours.
How to Summon Epona Anywhere in Hyrule Field
Once you have learned Epona’s Song (even if you learned it as Young Link), you can call her as Adult Link. This feature relies on mastering the Ocarina of Time horse call.
The Mechanism of Calling
Epona will only respond to her song if you are in Hyrule Field. She will not come if you are inside Kakariko Village, Hyrule Castle Town, or any other enclosed area.
- Stand in Hyrule Field.
- Take out your Ocarina.
- Play Epona’s Song notes perfectly.
If you play it correctly, Epona will trot over to you from wherever she is grazing. She is very fast at responding to the music.
The Benefit of Playing Saria’s Song for Epona (Myth Busting)
Some players mistakenly think Playing Saria’s Song for Epona helps or summons her. This is false. Saria’s Song is vital for other puzzles, especially in the Lost Woods, but it has no effect on Epona. Only Epona’s Song summons her.
Using Epona for Travel and Tasks
Once you have Epona, the world opens up significantly.
Fast Travel Across Hyrule Field
The primary use is speed. Hyrule Field is enormous. Traveling on foot takes ages. Epona covers the ground much faster.
Carrot Meter Management:
Epona has a special carrot meter displayed on the screen when you mount her. This meter controls her speed boosts.
- Normal Gallop: Epona runs at a steady pace without using carrots.
- Boost: Press the action button when the carrot meter is full to get a burst of speed.
Always manage your carrots. If you use them all, you must slow down to a walk until the meter refills. Save boosts for long straight stretches.
Horse Playgrounds and Stables
Where can you board your horse or use horse services?
The main location for horse-related services is Lon Lon Ranch Epona’s home. While there isn’t a traditional “stable” in the sense of stable boys taking your horse for a fee (like in later Zelda games), Lon Lon Ranch is the central hub.
If you need to quickly get rid of Epona so you can enter a small area, simply ride away from her. She will disappear after a short time if you leave her unattended in Hyrule Field.
Essential Epona Missions
Epona is required for several critical moments as Adult Link:
- Reaching Lon Lon Ranch from Hyrule Field: You need her speed to navigate hazards and reach the fence jumping spot quickly.
- The Gerudo Valley Bridge: You must use Epona’s jumping ability to cross the broken bridge to Gerudo Valley. This is another spot where a well-timed carrot boost is necessary to clear the gap.
- Certain Side Quests: Some side quests involve timed deliveries or traveling quickly across Hyrule Field, making Epona necessary.
What About Renting a Horse in Ocarina of Time?
Unlike some other games in the series, Renting a horse in Ocarina of Time is not a standard mechanic available to Link. There is no “stable” where you can pay rupees to borrow a temporary horse. The focus of this game is entirely on acquiring Epona permanently after the time skip.
If you are playing the original N64 version or the 3DS remake, you do not need to look for rental services. Your only equine companion is Epona.
Can Young Link Ride Epona?
This is a common point of confusion. Can you get Epona when you are young?
Technically, yes, you can interact with her and learn the song. However, as Young Link, you cannot keep Epona or ride her freely across Hyrule Field. Ingo controls the ranch, and any attempt to ride her results in immediate removal or a fee. The ability to use Epona as a mount for travel is reserved for Adult Link after defeating Ingo.
The only way Getting Epona in Kokiri Forest (or near it) could happen would be if you hacked the game, as she is geographically tied to Lon Lon Ranch.
Advanced Tips for Mastering Epona
Having Epona is one thing; using her like a pro is another.
Mastering the Carrot Economy
The carrot meter is crucial for maximizing speed.
- Never use a boost if you are about to make a sharp turn. You will slow down too much trying to correct the angle.
- Save at least two carrots for jumping obstacles. The Gerudo Valley jump requires momentum, usually meaning you need a boost right before the jump.
- Carrots regenerate slowly. If you are riding normally (not boosting), the meter recharges over time. If you run out completely, slow down to a trot to let it refill faster.
Epona and Enemies
Epona is generally unaffected by minor enemies like Peahats or Wolfos in Hyrule Field. However, running into large obstacles or enemies like a Blue Bubble will cause Link to dismount, and Epona will gallop away briefly. If Link is stunned or falls, Epona will pause nearby.
The Song of Storms Connection
While Playing Saria’s Song for Epona is useless, the Song of Storms is sometimes related to the ranch’s history. If you play the Song of Storms for the owner of the windmill inside Lon Lon Ranch (Talon/Ingo’s brother, depending on the time), you can sometimes trigger events or change the weather in the area, but this does not directly affect Epona’s availability or behavior.
Step-by-Step Summary: Securing Epona
For clarity, here is the simplest flow to guarantee you get Epona for use as Adult Link.
| Stage | Link’s Age | Location | Key Action Required | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Young Link | Lon Lon Ranch | Talk to Malon and learn Epona’s Song notes. | You gain the knowledge for the Ocarina of Time horse call. |
| 2 | Adult Link | Lon Lon Ranch | Pay 50 Rupees to Ingo to race. | Win the first race. |
| 3 | Adult Link | Lon Lon Ranch | Accept the second, high-stakes race. | Win the second race to claim Epona. |
| 4 | Adult Link | Lon Lon Ranch | Jump the fence using Epona’s speed boost. | Epona is permanently yours to keep. |
| 5 | Adult Link | Hyrule Field | Play Epona’s Song. | How to summon Epona on demand. |
The Absence of Other Horses
It is important to note that throughout the main quest in Ocarina of Time, Epona is the only rideable horse available to Link. You cannot buy different colored horses or find other steeds. The game design centers entirely around the bond between Link and Epona, established by learning her song and earning her trust.
While you might see other horses fenced off in different areas, they are purely decoration and cannot be mounted or called. There is no mechanic for Getting Epona as Young Link permanently, nor is there a system for Renting a horse in Ocarina of Time. Epona is unique.
The whole experience of earning Epona—from the cute moments with Malon to the tense races against the greedy Ingo—is a highlight of the Adult Link portion of the game. Mastering the Ocarina of Time horse call ensures you never have to trudge slowly across the massive Hyrule Field again.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Do I have to know Epona’s Song before I beat Ingo?
A: No. You can learn the song as Young Link, but you cannot use the Ocarina of Time horse call until you are Adult Link and have completed the races at Lon Lon Ranch Epona’s location.
Q: What happens if I lose the race to Ingo?
A: If you lose the first race, you only lose 50 Rupees. You can immediately try again. If you lose the second race, Ingo keeps Epona, and you have to try to enter the race again (usually by paying the 50 Rupees once more to start the sequence over).
Q: Can I teach Epona’s Song to another character?
A: No. Epona’s Song is specifically tied to Link’s Ocarina and his relationship with Epona. No other character can play it to summon a horse.
Q: If I play Epona’s Song near Kakariko Village, will she appear?
A: No. Epona will only respond to the Ocarina of Time horse call when Link is physically located within the boundaries of Hyrule Field. She will not appear in towns or villages.
Q: Is there a way to jump the fence as Young Link?
A: No. Young Link does not have the necessary speed or the ability to trigger the required jump momentum needed to escape Lon Lon Ranch Epona’s paddock. This feature is locked behind the Adult Link timeline.