Epona

Epona ' s role in The Legend of Zelda series is that of Link's steed. She made her debut in the first 3D Zelda game, Ocarina of Time. She also appeared in its sequel, Majora's Mask, Twilight Princess, and as a small cameo in the Oracle Series and The Minish Cap.

Link is able to ride her in her home console appearances and can control her pace through the carrot system. After cracking a whip, one of the on-screen carrot icons disappears and Epona moves more quickly, gaining the ability to jump over barriers. The carrot icons reappear if Link waits before cracking the whip again. If he consumes them too quickly, Epona temporarily loses the ability to speed up and cannot jump over barriers. In Twilight Princess, these carrots are replaced by spurs.

The Minish Cap
The Epona in The Minish Cap is the fourth Epona appearing in the The Legend of Zelda series, and currently the earliest incarnation of Epona chronologically.

Epona made an appearance in The Minish Cap; however, Link cannot ride her. She is under the ownership of Lon Lon Ranch, and can be seen in Hyrule Castle Town with Malon, who will sell milk there after Link helps Malon and Talon find the spare key to their farm house. Minish Link is able to communicate with Epona, who asks Link to buy some Lon Lon Milk.

Ocarina of Time
The Epona in Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask and The Wind Waker is the first Epona appearing in the The Legend of Zelda series, the second incarnation of Epona chronologically and the first incarnation of Epona chronologically in the Child Timeline branch.

In Ocarina of Time, Epona is first encountered when she is just a foal at Lon Lon Ranch where she was raised by Malon. She is wild and untamed, running away when Link approaches, and only Malon can get close to her. After Malon teaches Link "Epona's Song" for his ocarina, Epona stops running away and approaches Link. Malon then says that Epona has taken a liking to Link.

Link next encounters Epona seven years later when she has become a mare. Unfortunately, things have taken a turn for the worse at the ranch and Ingo is now in charge. Ingo plans to present Epona to Ganondorf, who he claims gave him ownership of the Ranch. At first, Epona runs away from Link again, but once he plays "Epona's Song," she remembers him and trots to his side. Link then participates in a horse race against Ingo, with Epona as his steed, and wins much to Ingo's astonishment. Ingo, now furious, challenges Link again and bets Epona herself on the outcome of the race. Needless to say, Link wins, and Epona is his. However, Ingo attempts to prevent Link from leaving with Epona by shutting the gates of the ranch. This is not a problem for Epona though, who just jumps straight over and out to freedom. From that point on she will willingly carry Link anywhere she can and will run to his side whenever he plays "Epona's Song" on his ocarina.

Epona can be used to jump across the broken bridge in Gerudo Valley and play the minigame at the Horseback Archery Range in Gerudo's Fortress.

During the ending, after Link defeats Ganon and is sent back in time by Zelda, Epona is seen running across Hyrule Field and is later seen next to Malon during the celebration of Ganondorf's defeat at Lon Lon Ranch.

Downfall Timeline
The Downfall Timeline is the alternate timeline in which Link, the Hero of Time, despite his best efforts, was defeated by Ganondorf in the final battle. This turn of events created the timeline containing A Link to the Past, the Oracle series, Link's Awakening, The Legend of Zelda, and The Adventure of Link.

The Oracle Series
The Epona in Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages is the second Epona appearing in the The Legend of Zelda series, and the first incarnation of Epona chronologically in the Downfall Timeline branch.

In the Oracle Series, a nameless horse that looks very similar to Epona can be seen in the games' introductions, being rode on by Link. They are seen either riding in green fields or near a rocky shore before Link discovers a castle, which houses the Triforce that transports him to either Holodrum or Labrynna.

Child Timeline
The Child Timeline is the timeline that follows Link after being sent back to his original time after defeating Ganon in the Adult Timeline. He warns Princess Zelda about Ganon's actions in the Adult Timeline, which creates the timeline containing Majora's Mask, Twilight Princess, and Four Swords Adventures.

Majora's Mask
In Majora's Mask, Link is seen riding on Epona at the start of the game, both of them still young. Epona is intentionally startled by two fairies, Tatl and Tael, and Link is thrown to the ground and knocked unconscious. Skull Kid appears, wearing Majora's Mask, and searches Link's unconscious body, finding the Ocarina of Time and taking it. Link gains consciousness and the Skull Kid attempts to hide the ocarina, but Link has already seen it. Link lunges for him to tries to get it back; however, Skull Kid leaps out of the way and onto Epona, and gallops away. Link leaps after him but only manages to grab onto Epona's leg. Epona continues to gallop along, dragging Link with them until he loses his grip when she veers around a bend, and he is forced to watch her gallop off with Skull Kid on her back.

When Link finally catches up with Skull Kid again, he tells him that he got rid of Epona because she was a "stupid horse" that didn't listen to a word that was said to her. Link does not encounter her again until he makes his way to Romani Ranch in Termina. If he visits the Ranch on the First Day, which is only possible with the aid of a Powder Keg, Romani teaches him "Epona's Song" and gives Epona back after Link practices shooting aliens from horseback.

Epona is necessary to enter the Great Bay and Ikana Canyon areas since they are blocked off by fences that only Epona can jump over.

(This is the same Epona from Ocarina of Time)

Twilight Princess
The Epona in Twilight Princess is the fifth Epona appearing in the The Legend of Zelda series, and the first incarnation of Epona chronologically in the Child Timeline branch.

In Twilight Princess, the player can actually choose the name of Link's horse, the default name being Epona. Epona is seen and used very early in the game, aiding Link in his job as a rancher, but it is Ilia who takes care of her. Ilia gets very angry when Link treats the horse poorly or she gets hurt. After the village is attacked by King Bulblin, the horse disappears. Link reunites with Epona later in Kakariko Village. She runs around desperately attempting to throw off two Bulblins. Once the Bulblins are defeated, Link has to tame her and then take her off to save Colin. In this game, Epona can gallop faster than in previous games. In most locations around Hyrule Field, Link can call Epona to his side by blowing on the Horseshoe Grass (and later on the Horse Call) - both instruments play "Epona's Song" from Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask.

Epona plays a much more prominent role in this game than in the previous games in which she has appeared. For the first time, Link can use various items while riding her, including the sword. There are times during which it is necessary to use Epona to progress in the game, which often includes battle on horseback. Both King Bulblin and the third part of Ganondorf's fight are horseback battles.

While Link is in wolf form, he is able to speak with Epona briefly, as with other animals. Her only line in the game is, "Link... Hurry up and return to your true self..."

Four Swords Adventures
The Epona in Four Swords Adventures is the third Epona appearing in the The Legend of Zelda series, and the second incarnation of Epona chronologically in the Child Timeline branch.

In Four Swords Adventures, the Links gain their horses in Near the Fields' first stage, The Field. After escorting Malon home, Talon will reward the four Links by letting them use horses from Lon Lon Ranch. The four horses are never referred to by name. If a Link acquires a carrot and throws it on the ground, each of the four Links will be able to ride a horse for a short period of time. While riding, the Links cannot be damaged by enemies and are able to knock Force Gems out of other characters. The horse is also added to the Shadow Battle mode.

Adult Timeline
The Adult Timeline is the timeline that follows Link being sent to the Child Timeline after the Hero of Time defeats Ganon in the final battle. Ganondorf is sealed within the Sacred Realm by the Seven Sages but, with Link sent back in time, the world is left without a Hero. This turn of events created the timeline containing The Wind Waker, Phantom Hourglass, and Spirit Tracks.

The Wind Waker
The Epona from Ocarina of Time makes a small cameo in the introduction of The Wind Waker, being ridden by Link while he and the people of Hyrule celebrate Ganon's defeat.

(This is the same Epona from Ocarina of Time)

Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Epona appears as a sticker in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

Development
During the development of Super Mario 64, a discussion about horses began. Though a horse never appeared in Super Mario 64, one was included in Ocarina of Time. The developers did not want controls to be very difficult, so Epona was made to automatically jump over barriers if she has enough speed. To make the experience more entertaining, the carrot system was established, as well as mounted archery. The developers also wanted to include one-on-one battles and horseback swordplay, though such features didn't appear until Twilight Princess.

The scene where Epona jumps over the broken bridge in Gerudo Valley was specially requested by Shigeru Miyamoto. The view was from the bottom of the valley against the light, so the light would break through. A similar scene was shown when Epona escaped from the ranch with Link's help. At the time, the ranch had more than one exit, so a cutscene was made for each. The idea of horses and these scenes in particular were inspired by Western cowboy movies.

Trivia

 * She is named after the Celtic goddess of horses and fertility, Epona.
 * Despite being such an iconic character in Ocarina of Time, the first game she appears in, getting Epona is entirely optional in this game. The only time where Epona is used to progress further in the main quest is crossing the broken bridge in Gerudo Valley. However, the broken bridge can also be crossed using the Hookshot which makes acquiring Epona optional.