Soaring across the lands of Hyrule on a glider might have a nice ring to it. However, it doesn’t compare to rough yet down-to-earth experiences like horse riding.
Luckily, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild provides an extremely clean yet improbable galloping mechanic for the players to enjoy and benefit from.
The horses in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild can be equipped with proper horse gear that can be found throughout locations in Hyrule.
While some of them come with certain perks, others are just for vanity purposes. Therefore, it’s more about choosing the correct gear for the correct moment.
Having said that, there are a fair number of saddles and bridles in the kingdom of Hyrule, and finding them all on your lonesome can be troublesome. That’s why you can use this guide to gauge the locations of the horse gear you’re targeting.
How Does Horse Gear Work In Breath Of The Wild?
Source: Wiki
Much like the regular items, the Horse Gear is a set of items equipable for your horses. They generally consist of a Bridle and a Saddle. The remaining small components are automatically added to the look once your horse dons a specific set.
All of these pieces are considered Key Items since they have been recurring throughout multiple Zelda series. While the effects in each game vary, their use and method of equipping generally remain the same.
Most of the Horse Gear in the game is intended to be vanity, i.e. it doesn’t provide any bonus effects in and out of the battle. However, the Ancient set is the sole exception to this rule. Consequently, it can be a bit harder to find as well.
How To Equip Horse Gear?
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild | Mount Horse
A Horse Gear can be equipped by bringing a horse to a Stable. There’s an NPC present at such stables and is generally seen feeding the present horses. You’d need to engage him/her in a conversation pertaining to your horse.
Having said that, here’s a list of all the stables present in Hyrule (along with their locations):
| Stable | Owner | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Dueling Peaks Stable | Tasseren | West Necluda |
| East Akkala Stable | Rudi | Deep Akkala |
| Foothill Stable | Ozunda | Eldin Canyon |
| Gerudo Canyon Stable | Piaffe | Gerudo Canyon |
| Highland Stable | Padok | Faron Grasslands |
| Lakeside Stable | Anly | West Necluda |
| Outskirt Stable | Embry | Hyrule Field |
| Rito Stable | Galli | Tabantha Frontier |
| Riverside Stable | Ember | Hyrule Field |
| Serenne Stable | Sprinn | Salari Plain |
| Snowfield Stable | Varke | S. Tabantha Snowfield |
| South Akkala Stable | Dmitri | Akkala Highlands |
| Tabantha Bridge Stable | Dabi | Hyrule Ridge |
| Wetland Stable | Lawdon | Lanayru Wetlands |
| Woodland Stable | Kish | Eldin Canyon |
Unfortunately, only the following stables actually have a character willing to change the equipment for your horses:
- Highland Stable
- Outskirt Stable
- South Akkala Stable
- Woodland Stable
While most of the gear is readily available in the base game, you’d have to scurry your way through the DLCs to find the most exotic loot.
Gear Restrictions
Unfortunately, this will only work if you have reached the maximum bond level with your horse. Otherwise, the worker will simply refuse, and you’d have a wasted trip under your belt.
Additionally, you won’t be able to make the following types of horses equip a Horse Gear no matter how hard you try:
- Epona: This horse can be obtained by either scanning the Super Smash Bros or by scanning Twilight Princess Zelda 30th Anniversary’s amiibo link. She does not need taming – and possesses special Epona Gear wares that cannot be removed.
- Giant Horse: This is a massive Wild Horse found in the Taobab Grassland. It’s part of a capture quest and does not support any kind of gear equips. Besides, this horst is unable to gallop, and despite its gigantic stature – the speed is rather poor.
All Horse Gear In Breath Of The Wild
Source: Medium
There are a total of six cosmetic Horse Gears in the base The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild version. Add the Ancient gear into the mix, and you’d end up with a total of seven looks for your favorite horses.
With that being said, here are all the Horse Gear present in the Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild:
Ancient Gear
The Ancient Gear items are exclusive equipables that come with The Ancient Ballads’ DLC. The horse equipping process is the same, but they provide a special effect that’s not usually found in regular horse gear.
A complete set of the Ancient Gear includes the following two pieces – each found distinctively but in the same quest series:
Ancient Bridle
Source: Wiki
This bridle can be found with the ‘EX Ancient Horse Rumors’ side quest. This can be grabbed after purchasing The Champions’ Ballad DLC. Simply read the Super Rumor Mill V3 located on the Highland Stable.
The quest will start once you’ve done reading the note. Simply head to the southern side of the Hyrule Ridge and try to look for a cherry blossom tree. This will be located on a mountain comprising of a creature gathering.
On Satori Mountain, look for objects under the cherry blossom tree in order to find and grab the Ancient Bridle.
BRIDLE EFFECT: The number of spurs is increased by two while equipping this item.
Ancient Saddle
Source: Wiki
Created with the help of the Ancient Sheikah tech, the Ancient Saddle is the second and final component of the Ancient horse gear. You can find it from the ‘EX Ancient Horse Rumors’ quest.
After purchasing The Champions’ Ballad DLC, simply head to the Super Rumor Mill EX located at the Highland Stable, and read the V3 (after completing the previous ones). According to the text, the saddle is located near a spring housing a horse spirit.
Head to the Malanya Spring and search the ground for an embedded chest. Once found, pull it out and open it to find the Ancient Saddle inside.
SADDLE EFFECT: Your horse can now teleport during whistling.
Extravagant Gear
The Extravagant Gear is a symbol of the rich. It goes beyond what’s needed to decorate your horse and adds a form of elegance to your speedster. Unfortunately, it does not come with any added effects.
Mostly used in festivals, the intricate embroidery and leave arrangement account for a lasting impression. If you want to stand out in the vast lands of Hyrule, then this saddle is for you!
Therefore, you’d only be equipping it for vanity purposes. With that said, here is how to find the complete Extravagant Gear:
Extravagant Bridle
Source: Wiki
This bridle can be obtained after you complete the Mounter Obstacle Course called the Mini-Game in under a minute. Once the milestone has been achieved, your inventory will automatically spawn an Extravagant Bridle for your horse.
Simply take your horse to a stable nearby to equip the bridle, and you’re good to go!
Extravagant Saddle
Source: Wiki
Similar to the Extravagant Bridle, the Saddle counterpart can be obtained once you beat Blynne’s record in the Mounter Archery Course. This score is set at one minute and fifteen seconds – which you have to beat in order to be one Extravagant Saddle richer.
There are no individual bonuses attached to this kind of gear, so you will only be using it for its cosmetic purposes.
Knight’s Gear
The Knight’s Gear is rather monotonic yet elegant in its own regard. Used by the knights of Hyrule, this kind of gear makes it perfect for Link due to his original identity.
Since only the most elite of the bunch used to make their horses wear it, the Knight’s Gear has sizable cultural significance in the land of Hyrule.
Having said that, here’s how you can obtain the Knight’s Gear in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild:
Knight’s Bridle
Source: Wiki
Generally used to protect horses’ heads during battle, the Knight’s Bridle is generally obtained by participating in the Horseback archery Mini-Game.
You need to break 20-22 targets in one run at the Mounted Archery Camp in order to be deemed worthy of this bridle.
They don’t actually provide extra defenses to your horse – and are purely for cosmetic purposes. Jini will be the one rewarding this to you once you complete the mentioned objective.
Knight’s Saddle
Source: Wiki
Mostly used as a status symbol for the strong, the Knight’s Saddle is obtainable once you take down 23-25 targets in the Horseback archery Mini-Game.
Since only the most elite soldiers used to wear it, they’re considered a big honor, and while the obtaining conditions are rather strict, they’re only there to help you prove your knighthood. Once the objective has been completed, Jini will reward the saddle to you.
Monster Gear
Monster Gear tends to accommodate for the bizarreness of Hyrule. Kilton was the one who created these pieces. However, it seems like he didn’t have any kind thoughts while making these.
Needless to say, the Monster Gear has its own unique ring that feels great on a horse of the chosen knight. If it’s your cup of tea, then by all means, go for it!
Monster Bridle
Source: Wiki
The Monster Bridle is a purchasable that’s only available from the Fang and Bone. You would have to spend 399 Mon in order to get it, but for an item created by the shop owner himself, the price might actually be too cheap.
Kilton seemingly wanted to make something mysterious. Therefore, he chose to make this Bridle. While the end result isn’t really that atrocious, you’d still be hard-pressed to make it your go-to for the remainder of the journey.
Monster Saddle
Source: Wiki
The latter part of the Monster Gear can also be purchased from Kilton, the shop owner, for as cheap as 299 Mon. While the item seemingly has a greater surface area than the bridle, the fine work that goes into making the bridle is not as much as a saddle.
Therefore, these saddles are particularly cheaper. However, the quality remains the same as they continue to serve as perfect vanity items for your dear horses.
Royal Gear
As the name suggests, this gear is meant for the horses of royalty! It’s made from extremely high-quality materials and is reserved for those that rule over Hyrule.
The craftsmanship in this kind of gear is marvelous to the point where it has become a favorite amongst generations of royalty.
It’s generally only unveiled at extremely important events. However, Link, the prized knight of Zelda, has been given methods to obtain it!
Royal Bridle
Source: Wiki
The Royal Bridle can be gained from the side quest called “The Royal White Stallion”. This can only be activated prior to the second great calamity, and the person giving you the bridle will be called Toffa.
Zelda was the one who initially ordered the creation of this Royal Bridle for her horse. Due to the events of the great calamity, Zelda was busy in her battle, and the bridle was passed down to Toffa’s family.
Throughout the years, this object has been passed from generation to generation until it reached Toffa.
You just need to register the white horse to the stable in order to obtain the Royal Bridle.
Royal Saddle
Source: Wiki
The Royal Saddle will also be obtained from Toffa once you complete the side quest “The Royal White Stallion”. You don’t need to have a particularly strong bond in order to equip or obtain it.
Just register the white horse at the stable and show it to Toffa. Once done, you’ll automatically receive the Royal Saddle, which can then be equipped from the same or a nearby valid stable.
Stable Gear
This is the base gear that every horse comes equipped with once you register them at the stable. You don’t necessarily need to go out of your way in order to obtain it. Therefore, it’s generally considered scrap for players that want the best out of the best for their horses.
Having said that, here’s how the gear works:
Stable Bridle
Source: Wiki
The bridle is automatically given to a horse once it’s registered at the stable. If for some reason, you have attempted a horse gear swap, then it’s still possible to move back to the old gear. You simply need to go back to the stable in order to open the equipment menu.
From there, just swap back to the old bridle, and you’re good to go.
Stable Saddle
Source: Wiki
Much like the Stable Bridle, the Saddle also comes as a base variant that can be changed for better-looking vanity gear. Luckily, the previous one remains in your inventory. Therefore, you always have the option to switch back, given you don’t like or are fed up with your new gear.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for horses like Epona and the Giant Horse since they come with their own gear versions.
Traveler’s Gear
This is the most common horse gear after the default option. The design isn’t really known to stand out. While it does give a new look to your horse, it’s more like a change of scenery than a complete overhaul.
Therefore, you’d only be going for it if there’s nothing else to grab at the moment. With that being said, here’s the obtaining method for the final type of horse gear present in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild:
Traveler’s Bridle
Source: Wiki
The Traveler’s Bridle is generally obtained after scanning an Amiibo called the Link (Rider). Upon its usage, two treasure chests will drop containing the desired loot. Link used this bridle for his horse during the time he served under princess Zelda.
While the memory doesn’t hold any significant value, it still signifies Link’s simplistic and disciplined nature as the master sword.
Traveler’s Saddle
Source: Wiki
The Traveler’s Saddle is also an item belonging to one of Link’s past memories. As mentioned, the Amiibo drops two items, one containing the bridle and the other one containing the saddle.
There’s nothing special about this item. But since it’s essentially a new look for your horse, we recommend you keep it.
Conclusion
All in all, there are multiple kinds of horse gear in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. While some of them are equippable, others come pre-installed with certain kinds of horses.
Unfortunately, most of the gear is cosmetic, so you won’t be getting any actual use out of them.
