Horse


 * This article is about the animal. For the Weapon in Hyrule Warriors, see Horse (Item).

Horses are recurring animals in. In nearly every game where Horses are present, they serve as a mode of faster transportation, allowing Link to travel from one point to another in less time.

Few notable Horses have appeared in the series, the most notable of which being Epona, Link's Horse companion who appears in several Zelda games following her debut in. Ganondorf's Steed is another notable Horse, which Ganondorf can be seen riding in several cinematic cutscenes.

Ocarina of Time
Horses in the games first appeared in. Lon Lon Ranch keeps several Horses, which are raised as riding and jumping Horses. By day, the Horses are left outside to graze and gallop around the corral. At night the Horses are kept in the Stable with the Cows, where they are watched over by Ingo in Talon's stead. The majority of Lon Lon Ranch's Horses resemble s. The ranch also keeps an unique Horse named Epona, who Malon is especially fond of. This wild Horse at first runs away from Link, but is quickly tamed and befriended when Malon teaches him "Epona's Song".

Ocarina of Time also introduces horseback riding to the series, which allows Link to travel at faster speed and even jump over fences. Link can speed up the Horse he is riding by whipping it for up to six boosts, which appear on-screen as carrots to indicate the Horse's stamina. Link can also use the Fairy Bow to shoot Arrows while riding, which functions as his only weapon while on horseback. Horseback riding becomes available only when Link is an adult, and is mainly achieved by riding Epona once he obtains her.

When Link awakes seven years into the future, he learns that Ingo was granted Lon Lon Ranch by Ganondorf and is now abusing the Horses. Ingo lets visitors ride the Horses at the corral for a minute for a fee of Rupees. Initially Ingo will provide a different Horse for Link to ride, however Link can tame and ride Epona by playing "Epona's Song". Link can also challenge Ingo to a Horse race around the corral for a bet of Rupees. If Link beats him the first time, Ingo will demand a rematch and bets Epona on the race's outcome. If he is defeated the second time, Ingo keeps his promise by letting Link keep the Horse, but traps the both of them in by locking the gates. Link and Epona manage to escape by jumping over the ranch's walls. Afterwards, Link can ride Epona anytime in Hyrule Field by playing "Epona's Song" to call her.

While Epona is mainly used as a faster method of travel, she is notably required to hunt for the Big Poes in Hyrule Field, as well as participate in the Horseback Archery Range at the Gerudo Fortress. The host of the mini-game also owns a Horse, but will only let Link play if he brings his own.

Princess Zelda and Impa ride a white Horse while escaping from Hyrule Castle as Ganondorf gives chase. Ganondorf also owns his own Steed, which is seen during his introduction by the Great Deku Tree, and when Ganondorf chases after Zelda and Impa. This Horse is said to be a solid black Gerudo stallion. Phantom Ganon also rides a fake Horse that greatly resembles Ganondorf's Steed.

Majora's Mask
In, Link rides a young Epona while searching for his missing friend, Navi. His Horse is soon captured and stolen by the Skull Kid after a confrontation, prompting a chase through the woods that ultimately leads Link to Termina. Link eventually finds Epona at Romani Ranch, and relearns "Epona's Song" from Romani. Majora's Mask features identical horseback riding to Ocarina of Time. Epona is even necessary to enter the Great Bay and Ikana Canyon due to the fences blocking the roads to these regions.

The Gorman Brothers own a pair of masked, dappled Horses they use to race Link at the Gorman Track, as well as to terrorize Cremia when she delivers Milk to Clock Town. During the escort mission, Cremia drives a Horse (possibly a donkey) to pull her wagon carrying bottles of Milk. Link is given the task of defending the wagon by shooting Arrows at the pursuing Gorman Brothers to keep them and their Horses at bay.

Oracle Series
In the openings of both and, Link can be seen riding an unnamed Horse. Link rides this Horse to Hyrule Castle, where he finds the three pieces of the Triforce that teleport him to either Labrynna or Holodrum. The Horse is only seen during the openings and is not seen again afterwards.

Four Swords Adventures
In, the Links get to ride a pack of Horses in The Field stage. After safely escorting Malon to Lon Lon Ranch, Talon lets the Links borrow his Horses to ride the rest of the way in gratitude. These Horses are summoned by picking up a Carrot, which instantly has the Links ride the Horses. While riding the Horses, the Links turn invincible to all enemy attacks for a period of time. They are able to jump over fences and trample grass and enemies while riding. The Links can continue riding if they pick up Carrots along the way.

Horses are also featured in the Tingle's Tower mini-game Bucking Broncos.

The Minish Cap
In, only one Horse is present; Epona. She is owned by Talon and Malon of Lon Lon Ranch. After Link helps them find the Spare Key to their farm house, Malon brings Epona to Hyrule Town to sell Lon Lon Milk by cart.

Twilight Princess
reintroduces horseback riding in a similar vein to Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask. Link's Horse is Epona, whom he uses to herd the Ordon Goats at the Ordon Ranch. Horseback riding has similar controls to the aforementioned games, as Link is able to kick Epona to speed her up for up to six speed boosts, which are indicated on-screen as spurs to display Epona's stamina. Link can also fight enemies while on horseback using his Sword, as well as the Hero's Bow to snipe enemies. Link can call Epona anywhere in Hyrule Field by either finding and whistling into Horse Grass, or by using the Horse Call once he obtains it.

When Telma plans to escort Ilia and Prince Ralis to Kakariko Village with Link's help, she drives a Horse to pull their wagon. Link is given the responsibility of riding with them on Epona and clearing a safe path, by defeating the enemies along the way and making sure that the wagon does not catch on fire.

Ganondorf's Steed returns in this game, which can first be seen during his introduction. Ganondorf rides this Horse during the second phase of the final boss battle, where Link must ride after him on Epona while Princess Zelda aims her Bow at him. Phantom Riders, riding ghostly Horses, also chase after Link during this battle and attempt to knock him off.

Breath of the Wild
Several Horses appear in, including Epona. Link is able to ride Horses in this game, including the wild Horses, by sneaking up to them and jumping on their backs. Alternatively, Link may also simply land on the horse's back from above. Once Link jumps on a wild horse's back, he must soothe the horse while riding until it accepts Link's control. Different horses are different in their difficulty of breaking. When successfully soothed, the wild horse will give off red circles and sparkles as a particle effect. Horses also require an action to start moving, described as "Yah!"ing by the game's UI. Wild horses follow in the in-game paths set into the ground.

Wild horses can also be brought to a stable to register and save them for future use, after paying some rupees. Horses are also named once they are brought to stables. Once Link returns to a stable, he can take any horse out that he has registered. After being brought to a stable, a saddle and horseshoes are placed upon the wild horse. Horses that are brought to a stable also respond to Link's whistle, returning to him within a certain range.

Wild horses have a random amount of uses of speed boost, as compared to Epona's five in, and. The on-horse camera is free in, unlike the locked camera in , and. Link boosts the horses in by spurring them with his boots, as opposed to whipping them. Unlike in any previous games, Link can mount his horse at any angle: from the front, from the side, from the back and from above.

Horses can damage enemies if the horse runs through them. Link also receives a "bullet time" period of combat time once jumping off the horse at the price of stamina. When damaged, horses partially lose their ability to boost, as shown by red flashing over the spur icon. Horses suffer from permadeath, meaning that once they die, Link cannot get them back.

There are people in Hyrule that will ask Link for a specific type or color of horse, asking Link to bring it to them.

Animated Series
In the Zelda animated series, Link rides a red mare named Catherine as his steed. She appears in the episodes "Cold Spells", "That Sinking Feeling", "Stinging a Stinger" and "The White Knight".

The Legend of Zelda Comic
In The Legend of Zelda comic published by Valiant Comics, Link's steed in the animated series, Catherine, makes a couple appearances in the comic. She appears briefly in "Missing in Action" and "Queen of Hearts". Princess Zelda also has her own steed, a white Horse named Storm who appears only in the comic's first issue.

The Shadow Prince
In The Shadow Prince, Link rides a Horse named Cloud, who appears prominently throughout the book as Link's helpful companion. Charles of Moria is also mentioned to have a Horse named Herald in one of the book's endings. His Horse is then revealed to actually be a giant, winged lizard.

A Link to the Past Comic
In the A Link to the Past comic, Ganondorf can be seen riding a Horse during his introduction as told by the talking tree. Princess Zelda is also seen riding a a white Horse at the comic's end, when Link returns the Master Sword to its pedestal. They part ways and Zelda rides off on her Horse.

Zelda's Adventure
In, a pair of Horses can be found outside of the White Steed Lodge at the Forest of Torian. These Horses cannot be interacted with.

Oracle of Ages Manga
In the, a Horse named Puini appears as Lord Raven's steed. He accompanies Raven through all his travels. After the defeat of Ganon, Puini decides to accompany Link back to his own time.

Hyrule Warriors
In, the Horse is a class of Weapon used by Link. This weapon has Link ride various incarnations of Epona as she tramples their enemies, while Link attacks on horseback. In the original Hyrule Warriors, this Weapon is included with the Master Quest DLC Pack, and is available in-game in.

Epona also appears during Link's victory cutscene if he is equipped with the Hylian Sword class of Weapon. Ganondorf can be seen riding his own Steed during his encounter cutscene.

Trivia

 * Although actual Horses do not appear in, a boss called Mazura has the head of a Horse. Rebonack also rides a hovering, iron Horse during the first phase of its boss battle.
 * While Horses do not physically appear in, a couple Horses are depicted in the game's prologue intro. One Horse is depicted being ridden by the Hero of Time; this Horse is implied to be Epona.