In The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, nothing captures the spirit of adventure quite like riding across Hyrule on horseback. But before you can gallop through the fields, you’ll need to complete two key side quests-“Runaway Horse” and “Impa’s Gift”-to earn your trusty steed and unlock the ability to summon it anywhere with the unique Carrot Echo. Ready to saddle up and explore faster than ever? Here’s how to get your own horse and make it your loyal companion on this epic journey.
Our Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom guide will tell you where to find Hyrule Ranch and how to complete both the “Runaway Horse” and “Impa’s Gift” side quests to claim Zelda’s horse.
Hyrule Ranch location in Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
Hyrule Ranch in Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is located in Hyrule Field, just southwest of Hyrule Castle Town. The ranch is managed by a family including Falfa and her grandparents, and it serves as the key location for horse-related activities in the game. Initially, players cannot borrow horses from the ranch due to a missing horse, which triggers the “Runaway Horse” side quest. After rescuing the lost horse west of the ranch, players gain access to rent horses freely. The ranch also features a fast-travel waypoint at its southern entrance, making it convenient to return for horse rentals. Later in the game, after completing the “Impa’s Gift” quest, players can obtain Zelda’s special white horse and learn the Carrot Echo to summon it anywhere.
Both horse-related side quests in Echoes of Wisdom take place at the Hyrule Ranch. You’ll be able to reach it once you’re free to explore the world early in the game, but getting Zelda’s horse will require you to get to the game’s midpoint.
How to get a horse and complete ’Runaway Horse’
To get a horse and complete the “Runaway Horse” side quest in Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, start by heading to Hyrule Ranch after clearing the first dungeon in Suthorn Woods. Speak to the old man on the ranch who will inform you that one of the horses has gone missing, usually grazing west of the ranch. Follow his directions west through a small canyon and rocky formations until you reach a small pond where the runaway horse is stuck on a tiny island. To rescue the horse, use a trampoline placed on the island’s edge to help the horse jump out of the pit. Once freed, ride the horse back to Hyrule Ranch. Upon return, the ranch owner will allow you to rent any of the horses there, enabling faster travel across Hyrule. This quest serves as a tutorial for horse riding and unlocking rental horses, although you cannot summon these horses to your location yet.
When you arrive at Hyrule Ranch for the first time, you’ll be told you can’t borrow any of the horses because one of them ran away.
Talk to the man on the west side of the ranch to pick up the “Runaway Horse” side quest. He’ll tell you to look off to the west.
Head out the gate on the south side of the ranch and turn west (left). Walk basically straight west from there. Just a screen or two over, you’ll spot the missing horse on a pillar of rock in a small pond.
Use some combination of echoes and Bind to grab the horse and then carry it all the way back to the ranch.
With the horse returned, you can borrow horses from the ranch whenever you like.
How to complete ’Impa’s Gift’ and summon a horse
To complete the “Impa’s Gift” quest and summon Zelda’s horse in The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, start by speaking with Impa in the Hyrule Castle throne room after finishing the “Still Missing” main quest. She will send you to Hyrule Ranch, where you learn that the horse and a boy have gone missing near a rift in the nearby carrot patch. Enter the rift marked on your map and navigate through it by climbing, crossing gaps, and defeating shadow Bokoblins to recover four trapped echoes. After sealing the rift, return to the carrot patch and use Zelda’s Bind ability to pull a carrot from the ground, which will summon your permanent horse. You can then use the Carrot Echo skill to call your horse anywhere, making travel across Hyrule much easier.
After you complete the main story quest “Still Missing” and close the rift at Hyrule Castle, Impa will be in the Throne Room with a side quest for you. Speak to her there and you’ll start the “Impa’s Gift” side quest.
Head back to Hyrule Ranch and to the west side again. Speak to the woman there. Shortly after, the boy in charge of your steed will come running up and point you to a new rift at the nearby carrot patch.
When you arrive, hop into the Rift. You’ll need to find four groups of Tri’s friends.
Head north and climb the vertical wall.
At the top, head left and cross the gap with a bed bridge (or whatever other echo you want to use) to find the first friends.
Continue left and drop down to the floating island with four huge boulders on it. Use Bind to move the boulders around (or drop them off the island). The northernmost one is hiding the second group of friends.
Continue down and around counterclockwise. When you come to the small clearing with crates, move the first one you come to to reveal a staircase.
At the bottom of the staircase, take out the bokoblins to find the third bunch of friends.
Continue east (right) until you come to a maze-like wooded path with more crates. The easternmost crate is hiding your next ladder.
The first step in the mini-dungeon is to get all the way around counterclockwise. We moved the platboom over to the column on the right, and then dropped a bed and a crate on top of it. That should get you to the top. Cross to the left and hop on the button.
Back at the bottom, return the platboom to the left side (or summon an echo of it). Ride it up, and then start smashing the crates there with caromadillo or bombfish (or the Swordfighter form’s bombs). Once you’re through, grab the last set of friends and seal the rift.
Back outside, Zelda’s horse will still be hiding. Use Bind on a carrot to lure her back and complete “Impa’s Gift.”
Make sure to grab another carrot with Bind and then learn the Carrot Echo. This is how you’ll summon your horse wherever you go (otherwise, you’ll have to return to Hyrule Ranch every time you want a new horse).
Next, see our full Echoes of Wisdom walkthrough or peruse our interactive Echoes of Wisdom map. Or for more Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom side quests, we have guides to “A Treat for my Person,” “Cuccos on the Loose,” “The Flying Tile,” “The Rain-Making Monster,” and “The Zappy Shipwreck,” plus details about the side quests related to automatons.
How can I unlock Zelda’s special horse early in the game
To unlock Zelda’s special horse, known as the Golden Horse, early in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, you need to follow a specific questline starting at the Snowfield Stable, located in the northwest corner of the map near Tabantha Tundra. First, talk to Tracee at the Lucky Clover Gazette south of Rito Village to begin the “Potential Princess Sightings!” quest. Then return to Snowfield Stable and speak with the stable worker Harlow to start the “Zelda’s Golden Horse” quest. From there, you must head north into Tabantha Tundra to find the Golden Horse among a herd, just south of a Geoglyph. Taming the horse requires a full stamina wheel, so prepare stamina-restoring food or elixirs. After successfully calming it, bring the horse back to Harlow to complete the quest and register it as your own. This horse boasts excellent strength and speed stats and comes with a Royal Saddle and Bridle for customization.
Note that this process involves navigating dangerous areas with powerful enemies, so proceed cautiously. Also, unlocking the ability to register horses requires completing the Mini Stable quest at Lookout Landing and speaking to stable master Lester.
What steps are needed to tame Zelda’s Golden Horse early in the game
To tame Zelda’s Golden Horse early in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, follow these key steps:
-
Start the Quest: Begin the “Potential Princess Sightings!” side quest by talking to Penn and Traysi at the Lucky Clover Gazette near Lake Totori, then visit Snowfield Stable in Tabantha Tundra to meet Harlow and start the “Zelda’s Golden Horse” quest.
-
Find the Horse: The Golden Horse is located north of Snowfield Stable near some ruins in the Tabantha Tundra. It stands out with a golden coat and white mane among other horses.
-
Prepare Stamina: Ensure you have at least two full stamina wheels, which can be increased by consuming stamina-boosting foods like Endura Carrots or stamina elixirs. This is crucial as taming requires a lot of stamina.
-
Approach Stealthily: Sneak up behind the horse without being detected, using stealth-boosting elixirs if needed to avoid spooking it.
-
Mount and Soothe: Sprint the last few steps and mash the A button to mount the horse quickly. Once mounted, repeatedly mash the L button to soothe and calm the horse. This may take significant effort, so keep stamina-restoring consumables ready to maintain your stamina during the process.
-
Register the Horse: After successfully taming it, ride the Golden Horse back to Snowfield Stable and register it with Harlow for 20 Rupees. This completes the quest and makes the horse yours.
The Golden Horse is gentle but highly alert, with excellent stats in speed and strength, making it one of the best horses in the game. Avoid nearby threats like the Frost Gleeok while riding it back to the stable for a smooth experience.
