Your trusted steeds from Breath of the Wild are waiting for you in Tears of the Kingdom-same names, same bonds, and all your upgrades intact. Here’s how your loyal companions make the leap into Link’s new adventure.
However, you’re not without any comfort in once-again-chaotic Hyrule. Players with Breath of the Wild save data on their Nintendo Switch will be able to access all of their horses from that save file in Tears of the Kingdom.
How to access your Breath of the Wild save data
Travel to the nearest stable in Tears of the Kingdom, such as Serenne Stable northwest of Lookout Landing. Catch a wild horse along the way to register it with the stable attendant. The game detects your Breath of the Wild save data on the same Nintendo Switch profile and automatically lists your old horses for import, retaining their names, stats, bonds, and customizations.
To find and reunite with all your horsey friends, you’ll first need to visit any of the stables in Tears of the Kingdom. After Link plunges to Hyrule from the Sky Islands, he’ll have to hoof it to get to any stables. The closest stable to the game’s starting area of Lookout Landing is New Serenne Stable, which is to the northwest of Hyrule Castle.
You’ll want to capture a wild horse on your way there, as you will need to register a new horse to access the old data. But also because a Hinox is sleeping on the main bridge leading to New Serenne, and ol’ four-heart Link with a wooden sword just can’t hack that yet.
Many of the wild horses in the starting area won’t require extra stamina to catch, but you might want to use an elixir made of sunset firefliesto raise your sneak skill, as they do startle easily.
Upon arriving the stable, you’ll need to select the dialog prompt to register horse for the new wild horse you just caught. Once you do, the stable clerk will say “Huh? It looks like you’ve entrusted a horse to us once before,” then saying he’ll go ahead and register any old horse with your name on it. When you open your horse menu, your newly registered horse will be there, along with every horse from your Breath of the Wild save.
These horses retain all the stats they previously had, along with a new stat: pull. They also retain their bond with Link. (My giant horse who hates Link? Still here. Still hates Link.) This time capsule also allows you to marvel at all the horse names you made six years ago, and maybe regret those choices.
How do you tame wild horses in Tears of the Kingdom
Taming wild horses in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom follows a process similar to Breath of the Wild, requiring stealth and stamina management.
Step-by-Step Guide
Crouch by pressing the left thumbstick (L-stick) and sneak up behind a wild horse in open fields near stables, like those in Hyrule Field. Press A to mount it quickly before it notices you; alternatively, paraglide from above to land directly on its back. Mash the L button repeatedly to soothe the bucking horse, depleting your stamina wheel until pink hearts appear and it calms-use Energizing Elixirs if needed.
Tips for Success
Spotted horses tame more easily than solid-colored ones, though the latter offer better speed later. Avoid approaching from the front or running, as horses spook easily; stealth outfits or elixirs help in noisy areas. Once tamed, ride gently to the nearest stable (e.g., Serenne Stable), soothing with L en route to build bond, then register for 20 Rupees to save it permanently.
After Taming
Feed apples by hand or dropping them to boost affection faster, reducing future disobedience. Earn Pony Points by boarding registered horses to unlock bridles and saddles. Tamed horses persist until death or despawn but respawn at stables once registered.
Where are the best locations to find wild horses near stables
Wild horses in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom spawn reliably in open fields near several stables, making it easy to tame and register them quickly.
Early Game Spots
The best starter location is Hyrule Field south of Serenne Stable (coordinates around 0047, 1135, 0021), where herds roam grassy plains northwest of Lookout Landing-ideal after the Great Sky Island. Another prime early spot lies in Taobab Grasslands southeast of Hyrule Field Stable (near 0346, 1225, 0084), featuring multiple horses amid trees and Lynel territory, though paraglide carefully.
Advanced Locations
Near New Serenne Stable in the Great Plateau’s southeast (post-game access), find herds in surrounding meadows for high-stat solid-colored horses. Upland Zorana (northwest of Zora’s Domain, near Hudson Stable) offers skittish but strong mounts in grassy highlands between stables. Solid-colored horses here often yield top speed and stamina; reload saves to respawn desired variants.
Pro Tips
Approach at dawn for calmer herds, and use the Purah Pad’s map to scout via stable icons-most have 3-5 horses within a short ride. Avoid rainy weather, as horses flee faster; spotted ones tame easiest but have lower stats.
