Yes, you can get a horse in Breath of the Wild by finding and taming a wild one, or by buying one at a stable. This guide shows you the fastest ways to find, tame, and officially keep your new equine companion in Hyrule. Horses are vital for fast travel across the large map. Finding the Best horses Breath of the Wild requires knowing where to look and what to do when you find them.
Locating Your Perfect Wild Horse
Finding a horse in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is easier than you think. They roam freely across Hyrule’s plains. Knowing the best spots helps you save time looking for the Wild Horse locations.
Prime Hunting Grounds for Wild Horses
Wild horses are not everywhere. They prefer open, grassy areas. Head to these regions for the best chance of finding a good one:
- Hyrule Field: This large central area is full of horses. It is the most reliable spot.
- Necluda and Dueling Peaks Region: The rolling hills here often host several herds.
- Tabantha Tundra Edge: While colder, the southern edges of the tundra have some wild mounts.
Look for groups of horses grazing together. A single horse might be running away from an enemy, not necessarily a wild one ready to be tamed.
Identifying the Best Mounts
Not all horses are created equal. Some have better stats than others. To get the Best horses Breath of the Wild, you need to check their temperament and speed.
Stats That Matter
When you sneak up on a horse, press the right stick (R3) to check its status. You will see three main stats:
- Stamina: How long the horse can gallop. More is better.
- Strength: How tough the horse is against attacks.
- Speed: How fast the horse runs at top speed.
| Horse Type | Ideal Stats (Aim For) | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Strong Horse | 4+ Strength | Combat and difficult terrain |
| Fast Horse | 4+ Speed | Long-distance travel |
| Balanced Horse | 3 in all stats | General use |
The Royal horse Breath of the Wild is a specific, high-stat, mostly white horse. It is often found near the North Akkala Stable area. These usually have high strength and good stamina.
Mastering the Art of Taming Horses Breath of the Wild
Taming horses Breath of the Wild requires stealth and resources. A startled horse will run far away. You must approach carefully.
Preparation is Key
Before you even spot a horse, make sure you have the right gear ready.
Essential Gear for Taming
- Stamina Food: Cooked dishes using Endura Carrots or Staminoka Bass are excellent. They give you bonus yellow stamina wheels. Having extra stamina helps immensely during the initial mounting phase.
- Stealth Gear: Wear armor pieces that boost your Sneak stat. The Sheikah Set (found in Kakariko Village) is the best choice for quiet movement. Even low-level stealth boosts help you get closer.
The Sneak and Mount Technique
Follow these steps precisely to successfully tame a wild horse:
- Locate the Herd: Spot a group of horses from a distance.
- Equip Stealth: Wear your best stealth gear. Eat a stealth-boosting meal if your gear is not enough.
- Crouch: Hold the left stick down to enter the sneaking mode.
- Slow Approach: Move slowly toward the horse. If the horse lifts its head and looks your way, stop moving immediately. Wait for it to relax before continuing.
- Mount Up: When you are right behind the horse, press the ‘A’ button to mount.
- The Struggle: Immediately after mounting, the horse will buck. You must rapidly press the L-stick (left joystick) toward the horse to calm it down.
Consuming Stamina During Taming
Each time you push the L-stick, you use a small amount of your stamina wheel. If your stamina runs out before the horse calms down, it will throw you off. This is why extra stamina from food is crucial for Horse bonding Breath of the Wild.
If you fail the first time, do not worry! The horse will usually stay nearby for a few moments. Try again immediately.
Increasing Horse Bonding Breath of the Wild
A newly tamed horse is not automatically loyal. It will likely run off when you dismount or get spooked. You need to build a bond.
What is Horse Bonding?
Bonding, or friendship, increases the horse’s loyalty to Link. A higher bond means the horse will stay closer when you leave it. It also makes it easier to call the horse back to you.
How to Increase Your Bond Level
The bond level goes from 0 to 5 stars. You increase it by interacting positively with your horse.
- Riding Time: Simply riding the horse helps. The longer you ride it, the better your bond grows.
- Feeding: When you are near your horse (while it’s tied up or standing still), you can feed it apples or carrots. This is a quick way to boost the bond slightly.
- Brushing: When you approach your bonded horse, look for the prompt to “Brush” it. This action significantly raises the bond meter. You can only do this once per in-game day per horse.
Aim to reach the 3-star bond level quickly. At 3 stars, the horse will generally wait for you when you call it using the whistle.
Whistling for Your Horse
Once you have a decent bond, you can use the whistle (press the down direction on the D-pad) to call your horse. If the bond is high enough, the horse will trot toward you from a reasonable distance. This is a huge time saver for Horse riding tips Breath of the Wild.
Securing Your Mount: Registering Horses Breath of the Wild
Taming a horse only lets you ride it temporarily. To keep it permanently, you must register it at a stable. This moves the horse into your Horse inventory Breath of the Wild.
Finding Stables Locations Breath of the Wild
Stables are specific inns scattered across Hyrule. They are crucial hubs for horse care and registration. You often see their recognizable blue smoke signals from afar.
Key Stables to Visit
| Region | Stable Name | Nearby Landmark |
|---|---|---|
| Central Hyrule | Riverside Stable | Bridge of Hylia |
| Necluda | Dueling Peaks Stable | Dueling Peaks |
| Lanayru | East Gate Stable | Lanayru Gate |
| Tabantha | Snowfield Stable | Tabantha Tundra approach |
Always check your map for the stable icons (they look like small houses).
The Registration Process
Once you arrive at any stable, talk to the stable hand near the main desk.
- Select Registration: Tell the stable hand you want to register a new horse.
- Present the Horse: Lead your tamed horse up to the stable entrance.
- Name Your Horse: You get to choose a name for your new companion!
- Pay the Fee: Registering horses Breath of the Wild costs 20 Rupees per horse.
After payment, the stable hand will store your horse safely. You will receive a special bridle and saddle for that horse.
Accessing Your Horse Inventory
At any stable, you can talk to the stable hand and select “Boarded Horses.” This lets you swap out the gear or view all the horses you own. You can only have a limited number of horses registered at any time (usually up to 5 initially, which can be expanded slightly).
Customizing and Gearing Up Your Horse
Once registered, you can personalize your steed. This goes beyond just naming it.
Equipping Gear
When you register a horse, you receive basic gear. However, you can find or earn better saddles and bridles. These offer small buffs, such as increasing the horse’s maximum stamina display.
Where to Find Better Gear
- Completing Stables Quests: Some stable owners offer side quests. Completing these might reward you with unique gear.
- The Royal Horse: If you manage to tame the special Royal horse Breath of the Wild, it comes with unique, high-quality gear that cannot be found elsewhere easily.
- Ancient Saddles/Bridles (DLC Required): If you have the Champion’s Ballad DLC, you can find the Ancient Saddle and Ancient Bridle. These items significantly boost your horse’s abilities. The Ancient Saddle allows your horse to call for you from anywhere on the map, similar to Link’s recall ability!
Horse Riding Tips Breath of the Wild for Better Travel
Knowing how to ride efficiently maximizes your speed and stamina usage.
- Gallop Wisely: Press the ‘A’ button repeatedly to make the horse gallop. Each press consumes one unit of stamina.
- Conserve Stamina: Do not gallop constantly. Let the horse trot between sprints. Trotting uses no stamina.
- Controlled Dismounts: If you need to stop suddenly or enter combat, press the ‘B’ button to dismount quickly. Be aware that a startled dismount might cause your horse to run away if your bond is low.
- Navigation: Horses are slightly better at navigating rough terrain than running on foot, but they still struggle on steep cliffs or deep water. They handle slopes well, which is why high-strength horses are favored.
Best Horse Breeds in the Game
While the game doesn’t use formal “breeds” like other RPGs, the wild populations show distinct traits. Players often categorize the best mounts by their color and pattern.
| Horse Color/Type | Noted Trait | Rarity |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Brown/Bay | Common, balanced stats. | Very Common |
| Solid White/Zelda’s Horse | High stamina and strength. | Rare |
| Spotted/Pinto | Often slightly faster but lower stamina. | Common |
| Giant Horse | Very high strength, slow speed. (Found near the Taobab Grassland). | Rare |
The Giant Horse is a Best horse breeds Breath of the Wild candidate for defense, but it cannot be registered at a stable and cannot wear gear. It must be kept nearby after taming.
Advanced Horse Management and Considerations
As you progress in Hyrule, you will collect more gear and need better ways to manage your stable slots.
The Limits of Your Horse Inventory
The standard limit for registered horses is five slots. You can increase this by completing a specific quest line related to the stables (usually involving bringing them specific food items or solving local stable problems). Check with the stable master for any available side quests that might expand your capacity.
Dealing with Horse Death
A sad reality of Hyrule is that horses can die, either from enemy attacks or falling from great heights.
If your horse dies, you cannot revive it yourself. You must return to the stable where it was registered. Talk to the stable master and ask about your boarded horses. There is a specific dialogue option related to a deceased horse. For a fee (usually 50 Rupees), the stable master can bring a replacement of the same color and stats back to life. This makes Registering horses Breath of the Wild essential for long-term keeping.
The Power of the Master Cycle Zero (DLC)
For players with the Champions’ Ballad DLC, the ultimate “horse” is the Master Cycle Zero. This is a motorized motorcycle that runs on ancient energy. It moves much faster than any horse, never tires, and doesn’t need stamina. If speed and reliability are your primary goal, working toward unlocking the Master Cycle Zero is the final upgrade from traditional Horse riding tips Breath of the Wild.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I register any horse I find?
Yes, as long as it is a standard wild horse or a designated named horse (like the Royal Horse), you can register it at any stable for 20 Rupees, provided you have space in your Horse inventory Breath of the Wild.
Do horses have unique abilities?
Some horses have inherent strengths, like the Giant Horse having high strength but low speed. Certain unique horses, like the Royal Horse, may have slightly better base stats than random spawns. Gear, especially the DLC Ancient Bridle, provides the most significant functional abilities.
How fast can a horse run compared to Link sprinting?
A horse at a full gallop is significantly faster than Link sprinting, especially over long distances. However, Link’s sprint is instantaneous, while a horse requires a few seconds to reach top speed. Galloping drains stamina; Link’s sprint drains stamina instantly.
What happens if my horse runs away after I whistle?
If your horse runs away after you whistle, it means your Horse bonding Breath of the Wild level is too low (usually below 3 stars). It is trying to return to the nearest stable. If it is high bond, it should come directly to you. If it runs off, travel to the stable it was last registered at to find it waiting there.
Can I keep the Giant Horse I tame?
No, the Giant Horse, found in the Taobab Grassland, cannot be registered at a stable. It has exceptionally high strength but very low speed and stamina. You can tame it and ride it, but if you leave it unattended for too long, it might wander or despawn if you travel too far away, effectively being lost.