Can you tame a horse in Skyrim? Yes, you can tame a horse in Skyrim, but it is not as straightforward as just hopping on. Taming wild horses requires a specific action or, sometimes, a skill check depending on the method used. This detailed guide will walk you through every aspect of Skyrim horse taming guide, from finding wild steeds to making them permanent companions.
The Basics of Horse Ownership in Tamriel
Horses are vital for quick travel across the vast lands of Skyrim. While you can buy them, finding and taming wild horses in Skyrim offers a free and exciting alternative. The game has a few ways horses interact with the Dragonborn. Some horses are owned, some are wild, and some are special.
What Kinds of Horses Exist in Skyrim?
Not all horses are equal. Knowing the types helps you decide the best way to tame a horse Skyrim offers you.
- Stolen Horses: If you just take a horse from a stable or farm, the owner will become hostile if they see you. This is not true taming.
- Bought Horses: These are the safest options. You pay gold, and they are yours instantly.
- Wild Horses: These horses roam the wilds. They are untamed and will run away if you try to ride them without preparation.
Fathoming the Taming Mechanics Skyrim Horse Interactions
The core mechanic for catching a wild horse Skyrim involves mounting it without the horse bucking you off. In the base game, this is a simple check. If you approach a wild horse and press the action button (like ‘E’ on PC or ‘A’ on Xbox), there is a chance you will successfully mount it. If you fail, the horse bolts away. There is no explicit skill check visible to the player, but success seems tied to proximity and timing.
Step-by-Step Guide to Catching a Wild Horse
If you want to try taming wild horses in Skyrim, head out to the open plains. The area east of Whiterun, near the stables, often has wild horses roaming.
Locating Wild Steeds
Wild horses usually spawn in groups or alone in open fields, not near towns.
- Look near the borders of major hold cities, but away from marked roads.
- The plains near the Riverwood area sometimes hide them.
How To Mount A Wild Horse Skyrim Successfully
This is where the taming process truly begins. It is often described as the easily tame horse Skyrim method because it requires no special items or spells.
- Approach Slowly: Sneak might help, but often just walking up works. Do not sprint right at them.
- Check Your Action Prompt: When close enough, the prompt to “Mount” or “Ride” should appear.
- Mount Up: Press the required action button.
- The Test: If you successfully mount the horse, it will usually take a few steps and then stop. Congratulations, you have tamed it! If you fall off, the horse will flee, and you must find another one.
Tip: Some players report better luck approaching from the rear flank of the horse.
What Happens After You Mount?
Once you are successfully mounted on a wild horse, it becomes your horse. You can ride it immediately. However, this horse is not permanently linked to you like a bought horse.
- If you dismount it and wander too far, it might wander off or disappear.
- If you are attacked by enemies, it might flee or try to fight.
Making Your Tamed Horse Permanent: Skyrim Horse Recruitment
A newly tamed wild horse is temporary ownership. To make it a reliable companion, you need to bring it back to civilization. This process is crucial for successful Skyrim horse recruitment.
Bringing the Horse Home
The best destination is usually the nearest city stable or your primary home base (like Breezehome in Whiterun).
- Ride It Safely: Keep riding until you reach a safe area.
- Dismount: Once you are near a stable or your home, dismount the horse.
- Check Its Behavior: If the horse stays near where you left it, it has likely accepted you as its master.
Important Note: If you lead a wild horse to a town and it runs away when you dismount, it was not fully tamed by the game’s system. This often happens if you try to lead it instead of riding it first. Riding it confirms the bond.
Buying a Horse vs. Taming
While taming is fun, buying a horse is guaranteed. For players who want reliability for long dungeon crawls, buying is often better.
| Feature | Tamed Wild Horse | Bought Horse |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 0 Gold | 1000 Gold |
| Permanence | Sometimes temporary | Permanent link to the Dragonborn |
| Availability | Requires searching the wilds | Available at any stable |
| Initial Bonding | Random chance of success | Instant ownership |
If you seek the best horse to tame Skyrim offers, remember that wild horses are usually low-tier, visually basic horses.
Special Horses and Unique Taming Challenges
Skyrim is home to several unique steeds. Taming these often involves different steps or achievements rather than simple mounting.
Arvak: The Easiest Permanent Horse (Dawnguard DLC Required)
If you own the Dawnguard DLC, finding Arvak is the simplest way to get a guaranteed, free, and permanent horse. This is often considered the easily tame horse Skyrim trick for DLC owners.
- Travel to the Soul Cairn: You must travel here during the Dawnguard questline.
- Find the Horse Skull: Once inside the Soul Cairn, look for the area where the ghostly horses roam.
- Find Arvak’s Pedestal: Near the edge of the central area, you will find a ghostly skeletal horse named Arvak.
- Summon Arvak: Speak to Arvak’s remains and agree to help him. You will be directed to find his skull.
- The Reward: Once you return the skull, Arvak will be summoned as your permanent undead horse, available wherever you are via a magical call.
Shadowmere: The Immortal Steed (Dark Brotherhood Questline)
Shadowmere is famous for being almost impossible to kill. You do not tame him; you earn him by advancing the Dark Brotherhood questline. Once you become the Listener, Shadowmere will appear at the Sanctuary entrance as your mount.
Frost: The Legendary Horse (A Specific Quest)
Frost is a unique white horse located near Fort Frosmoth. You encounter him during the “Promises to Keep” quest.
- The Choice: You must choose whether to return Frost to his owner or keep the horse for yourself.
- If you keep Frost, he becomes a permanent, named horse for you. He is fast and visually distinct.
Advanced Taming: Using Magic and Skills
While the base game relies on a simple attempt to mount, certain skills and spells can indirectly help in the Skyrim horse taming guide.
Illusion Magic and Temperament
Does Illusion magic affect taming? In theory, spells like Calm or Frenzy could influence an animal’s aggressive state, making them less likely to bolt.
- Calm Spells: Casting a Calm spell on a wild horse before approaching might increase your chances of mounting it successfully, though official confirmation in the game code is rare. Try casting it when you are close but before hitting the mount button.
The Animal Allegiance Shout
If you have the Dragonborn DLC, the Animal Allegiance shout is a game-changer for taming wild horses in Skyrim.
- Learn the Shout: Unlock the three words of Animal Allegiance.
- Use It: When facing a wild horse, use the shout.
- The Effect: The horse (and any nearby wildlife) will temporarily become your ally and will not flee. This gives you ample time to walk up and mount the horse without resistance. This is arguably the most reliable way to perform catching a wild horse Skyrim if you are not paying for one.
Troubleshooting Common Taming Issues
Sometimes, the taming process fails, or the horse acts strangely. Here are solutions for common problems faced when taming wild horses in Skyrim.
Problem 1: The Horse Always Runs Away
If the horse bolts every time you try to mount it, the base game mechanic might not be favoring you at that moment.
- Solution A (Animal Allegiance): Use the shout if available.
- Solution B (Relocation): Move to a different area. Sometimes, terrain affects pathing and AI behavior.
- Solution C (Wait and Try Again): Wait 24 in-game hours and try approaching a new wild horse.
Problem 2: The Horse Follows Me, But Won’t Stay Put
This happens if the bond is weak—often when you only manage to lead the horse partway or it sees a threat.
- Solution: Ride the horse continuously for a significant distance (e.g., from the wilderness all the way to Whiterun stables). Dismounting near a major owned location seems to solidify the bond better than a random spot in the field.
Problem 3: My Tamed Horse Disappears
Wild horses do not always count as permanent summons.
- The Fix: If you want a permanent mount that waits for you, you must either buy one, or obtain Arvak or Frost through their specific questlines. If you are solely relying on the base game wild taming, treat the horse as a temporary ride. If you need a guaranteed companion, this is the best way to tame a horse Skyrim players resort to for long-term use—by using DLC content.
Exploring Horse Utility and Limitations
Once you have secured your steed, knowing how to use it effectively enhances travel.
Horse Combat
Horses in Skyrim are decent fighters, especially if they are high-level or specialized breeds like Shadowmere.
- They can charge enemies, knocking some smaller foes down.
- You can fight from horseback using bows or magic. Melee combat from horseback is awkward and often ineffective.
Inventory and Storage
Horses do not offer saddlebags for storage in the base game. You cannot load them up with loot like pack mules in other games.
Speed Comparison
Are all horses equally fast? Yes, for the most part. A purchased horse is generally the same speed as a successfully tamed wild horse. Speed differences in Skyrim horses are often negligible unless you utilize specific using mods to tame horses Skyrim introduces.
The Role of Mods in Horse Taming and Management
For players seeking more control, better speed, or enhanced functionality, using mods to tame horses Skyrim is extremely popular. Mods drastically change the taming mechanics Skyrim horse system.
Popular Horse Modification Types
Mods often address the weaknesses of the vanilla horse system.
1. Guaranteed Taming Mods
These mods change the hidden chance roll for mounting a wild horse. They might make it so that any approach and successful mount immediately bonds the horse to you forever.
2. Horse Whistle/Summon Mods
These function similarly to Arvak’s ability. They allow you to use an item or shout to instantly summon your bonded horse, regardless of distance. This solves the problem of losing your tamed steed.
3. Horse Overhaul Mods
Mods like “Convenient Horses” allow you to equip horses with armor, manage their inventory, and drastically improve their combat abilities. If you invest time catching a wild horse Skyrim, these mods ensure that investment pays off long-term.
If you are looking for the best horse to tame Skyrim has to offer via mods, look for mods that add unique, powerful breeds that are also tameable, often found in specific new locations added by the mod.
The Best Horse to Tame Skyrim Strategy: Balancing Effort and Reward
For a player focused on the vanilla experience, the strategy for obtaining a horse should weigh effort versus benefit.
Strategy 1: The Quickest Free Mount
If you just need a temporary ride to get somewhere fast, attempt the basic mounting trick in an open area like the plains near Whiterun. Accept that it is temporary.
Strategy 2: The Guaranteed Free Mount (DLC Required)
If you have Dawnguard, Arvak is the undisputed champion of free, permanent mounts. He requires a quest, but the payoff is superior to any wild-tamed horse.
Strategy 3: The Reliability Option
If you have 1000 gold and need a reliable companion for dungeon delving and long treks, buy a horse at the nearest stable. This removes all the uncertainty associated with how to mount a wild horse Skyrim requires.
Strategy 4: The Dedicated Adventurer (Using Shouts)
If you enjoy immersion and are a Dragonborn adventurer, learning the Animal Allegiance shout is the most immersive way to achieve Skyrim horse recruitment from the wild population.
Final Thoughts on Horse Companionship
Taming a horse in Skyrim is a small but rewarding piece of environmental interaction. While buying a horse is simple, successfully catching a wild horse Skyrim and making it yours feels like a genuine wilderness achievement. Whether you use the Animal Allegiance shout or rely on the simple chance mechanics of the base game, your new four-legged friend will save you many loading screens as you explore the vast world. For those seeking longevity, look to the quest rewards offered by the DLCs, as they provide the most resilient companions. Mastering this skill, even the simple version, is a key part of the adventure, proving you can conquer the wilds of Tamriel, one fast ride at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Does sneaking help when trying to tame a wild horse in Skyrim?
A: While sneaking keeps you hidden, the actual taming mechanic seems based on the direct action of mounting. Sneaking might prevent the horse from immediately sensing you and bolting, giving you a clearer window to press the mount button, but it is not strictly required for the base game taming attempt.
Q: How do I get my wild tamed horse to follow me back to a city?
A: You must ride the horse all the way. If you dismount in the wilderness, the horse AI often considers it lost or reverts to its wild state. Ride it continuously until you reach a known safe zone, like a city stable area, and then dismount.
Q: Can I tame a Death Horse or Draugr Horse?
A: No. Named, special, or undead horses (like Shadowmere or Arvak) cannot be “tamed” from the wild. They are rewards for specific quests or plot points and are permanently linked to you upon completion of those tasks.
Q: What is the best horse speed in Skyrim?
A: All standard horses (bought or tamed wild ones) have generally the same base speed. Speed differences are minimal and hard to notice without specialized mods. Arvak and Shadowmere are often perceived as slightly faster due to unique animations or game design favoring them, but statistically, they are similar to a standard mount.