Breath of the Wild Horses: Ultimate Guide to Taming & Riding

Introduction

Breath of the wild horses are one of the most memorable, rewarding parts of playing The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Whether you love the freedom of galloping across Hyrule Field, the companionship that grows as you increase bonding with a trusted steed, or the thrill of finding a rare white or black horse, mounts transform how you explore. This guide walks through everything you need to know: where to find wild horses, how to tame and register them, what makes a great mount, and pro tips for riding, stamina, and speed. If you want dependable stables, better bonding, or even a legendary steed like Epona via amiibo, read on.

Why Breath of the Wild Horses Matter

In BOTW, horses are more than fast travel tools. They provide mobility, strategy, and emotional connection. A well-trained horse helps you:

• Traverse long distances faster than on foot, saving stamina for climbing and combat.
• Carry a visual identity—your mount becomes an extension of Link; many players name and customize saddles or bridles.
• Win races and explore tougher regions such as Tabantha Frontier or Hebra, where stamina and speed are crucial.

Understanding horse temperament, breed tendencies, and stamina mechanics improves every ride and keeps you from losing a prized steed over a cliff or to a careless fall.

Where to Find and Spot Wild Horses

Knowing horse locations increases your chances of capturing the perfect mount. Wild herds tend to roam open plains and grassy areas, but different regions produce different breeds and temperaments.

• Hyrule Field: One of the most common places to spot herds. Great for beginners seeking even-tempered horses with balanced speed and stamina.
• Ridgeland and Faron Grasslands: Often yield horses with slightly better speed. Watch for groups near stable outposts.
• Tabantha Frontier and West Necluda: Locations where you may find stronger, faster horses suited for long gallops.
• Hebra region: Harsh weather breeds tend to be hardy and have good stamina; they’re useful in cold zones.
• Near stables: Horses often roam or are rounded up close to stables such as the Dueling Peaks Stable and Riverside Stable.

Tip: Look for horses in daylight on open plains where you can approach quietly. Herds are easier to observe at a distance so you can plan your approach without spooking them.

How to Tame and Catch Horses: Step-by-Step

Taming wild horses in Breath of the Wild is a satisfying ritual. Follow these steps to raise your success rate:

• Approach with stealth: Crouch or move slowly to avoid startling the herd. Use tall grass and sneaking to close distance.
• Mount a calm horse: When you get close enough, climb onto the horse’s back. It will usually bolt. Stay calm—this is expected.
• Soothe to gain trust: Repeatedly press the soothe/action button to calm the horse. You’ll see the stamina wheel used; keep enough stamina to mount and soothe successfully.
• Use food to help: Apples, carrots, or Tabantha wheat restore stamina while you’re mounted. If your stamina is low, feed before mounting or use stamina-restoring elixirs.
• Break its will with patience: The horse slowly becomes tame as its wildness meter reduces. Let it run rather than trying to force stops.
• Lead to a stable: Once tame, take the horse to the nearest stable for registration and boarding.

Example: Approach a horse herd in Hyrule Field at dawn. Move slowly through grass, mount when close, soothe several times, feed an apple mid-ride, and make a calm path back to the stable. It’s simple and often the most effective routine.

Registering, Caring, and Managing Your Mount

After taming, registering your horse at any stable makes it yours. Registration gives you a name entry, ownership, and allows retrieval from any stable later. Caring and training your horse improves its usefulness.

• Stable registration: Visit a stable and speak to the handler to register. You can board horses, swap between stabled mounts, or retrieve them later.
• Bonding and hearts: As you ride and soothe, your horse earns bonding (hearts). Higher bonding improves responsiveness and reduces bucking frequency.
• Feeding and recovery: Feeding fruit or riding slowly to calm restores stamina and health. Bring apples or stamina-replenishing food for long trips.
• Return after death: If your horse falls from a great height or wanders off, you can often reclaim it at a stable if it survives. Keeping well-bonded horses reduces dangerous escapes.

Tip: Use stables as hubs. They are also places to learn about local horse breeds and the stables’ handlers can occasionally point out rare mounts nearby.

Choosing the Best Horse: Speed, Stamina, Temperament

When selecting between horses, think of three core stats: speed, stamina, and temperament. Your playstyle will determine which trait is most important.

• Speed: If you love fast travel and quick escapes, prioritize horses with high base speed. These are great for races and covering open ground fast.
• Stamina: For long journeys across mountains, deserts, or when pulling long glides, a horse with high stamina lets you sprint longer without dismounting.
• Temperament: A calm horse reacts better to sudden events and costs fewer soothes. Temperament is especially valuable in combat or near cliffs.

Examples of choices:

• Balanced mounts: Ideal for general exploration—moderate speed and stamina with steady temperament.
• High-speed mounts: Often found in open plains and are excellent for races or outrunning enemies.
• Hardy mounts: Found in difficult climates; they excel at long-distance travel without frequent rests.

Note: You can also summon special horses like Epona using amiibo if you prefer a familiar, high-performance steed. Epona is a favorite due to both nostalgia and consistent behavior.

Advanced Riding Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting

Once you have a reliable mount, small techniques improve performance and safety. These advanced tips help you master mounts:

• Steady your stamina use: Avoid full sprint for long runs; pulse the gallop to maintain stamina. Use food to restore stamina mid-ride.
• Use terrain strategically: Ride along ridgelines and follow rivers to avoid ambushes. Avoid narrow cliff edges; horses can trip and fall.
• Sneak and catch fast horses: Wear sneaking gear, move through tall grass, and close distance carefully to get close enough to mount.
• Recovering a lost horse: Check nearby stables first. If a horse is frightened or lost, higher bonding increases the chance the horse will return to a stable you visited.
• Saddles and bridles: While mostly cosmetic, different gear options can change how you feel about your mount. Some vendors sell unique bridles for style.

Troubleshooting common issues:

• Horse keeps bucking: Soothe more frequently and avoid sharp turns. Try feeding a potion or food that gives stamina recovery.
• Horse runs off: Calm it by stopping and soothing. If it won’t stop, let it run until exhaustion then soothe once it slows.
• Low stamina: Use stamina-restoring foods or elixirs before attempting to tame or ride long distances.

FAQ — Common Questions About Breath of the Wild Horses

Conclusion

Breath of the wild horses add depth, adventure, and a personal touch to your Zelda journey. From spotting herds across Hyrule Field to taming a stubborn stallion and raising bonding hearts, the process is rewarding and strategic. Choose a mount that matches your playstyle—speed for quick runs, stamina for long voyages, temperament for tricky terrain—and use stables to manage and protect your prized horses. With patience, a few apples, and steady soothing, you’ll have a dependable steed to carry you across every ridge and valley of Hyrule.

Happy riding — may your stable be full and your journeys smooth.