In the popular video game “The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim,” horses are an essential means of transportation for players as they traverse Tamriel’s vast and dangerous landscape. However, finding and calling a horse can be a bit confusing for new players.
So, we’ll explore the various methods of calling a horse in Skyrim, including where to find horses, how to purchase them, and how to summon them when needed.
How To Get A Horse
There are a few different ways to get a horse in Skyrim. Here are the most common methods:
Buy a horse from a stable
The easiest way to get a horse is to purchase one from a stable. Stables are located in various cities throughout Skyrim, and each stable will have horses available for purchase.
The horse’s price will vary depending on the city but typically ranges from 1000 to 2000 gold. Once you purchase a horse, it will become your loyal companion; you can call it whenever you need it.
There are several locations in Skyrim where you can buy a horse. These include:
- Whiterun: Located just outside of Whiterun.
- Riften: Located near the east gate of the city.
- Markarth: Located just outside of the city.
- Solitude: Located near the main entrance of the city.
- Windhelm: Located just outside of the city.
- Dawnstar: Located just outside of the city.
Steal a horse
If you don’t want to spend the money to buy a horse, you can always try stealing one. Horses can be found in various locations throughout Skyrim, such as outside of stables or wandering on the road.
However, be warned that stealing a horse is considered a crime, and if you’re caught, you may face the consequences such as a fine or even imprisonment.
Complete a quest
Some quests in Skyrim will reward you with a horse.
Shadowmere
To obtain Shadowmere, the player must complete the “Dark Brotherhood” questline, during which they will be given the horse as a reward. Shadowmere can then be used as a fast and durable means of transportation throughout Skyrim, and it will also aid the player in combat.
Arvak
On the other hand, Arvak is a summonable horse that can be obtained by completing a side quest in the Dawnguard DLC. The player must find Arvak’s skull in the Soul Cairn and bring it back to its owner, who will then teach the player the spell to summon the horse.
Borrow A Horse From NPC
It’s possible to borrow a horse from certain NPCs [1] for a limited time. This can be useful if you need to travel a long distance quickly, but don’t want to spend the money to buy a horse or don’t have a horse yet.
- Katla’s Farm, Solitude: To use the horses at Katla's Farm, you must first befriend Katla by selling her wheat. Once you've sold enough wheat to her, she will allow you to use the horses on the property.
- Riften Stables: You can win a brawl against Hofgrir Horse-Crusher or complete the "Stabilized" quest. You can also persuade or pay off Sapphire to clear the debt, leading to the same result.
How To Call Your Horse
Fast Travel
While fast travel is a convenient way to move around Skyrim quickly, it’s important to note that it doesn’t guarantee that your horse will appear next to you when you arrive.
If your horse is currently following you and is not too far away, it will be transported with you when you fast-travel. However, if you didn’t purchase the horse from a stable, it may not be considered yours, and fast traveling won’t work to call it to you.
Therefore, while fast travel can be useful to find your horse if it’s currently following you and you purchased it from a stable, it’s not always a reliable way to call your horse.
In such cases, manually riding your horse or using the “Activate” button to call it to you may be more practical.
Mods To Use For Skyrim Horses
Several mods are available for Skyrim to enhance the game’s experience of owning and riding horses. Here are a few popular mods that you may find useful:
Convenient Horses: This mod allows them to follow you or wait for you, increased storage space on horseback, and the option to customize your horse’s appearance.
Immersive Horses: This mod aims to make horses realistic by adding features such as the need to feed and water your horse, equip your horse with armor and gear, and buy and sell horses from merchants.
Horse Armors: This allows you to customize and protect your horse’s appearance during combat.
Horses for Followers: The mod allows you to give any horse to your followers, not just ones you’ve purchased from a stable.
Frequently Asked Questions
In Skyrim, how many horses can I own?
While it’s true that you can own multiple horses in Skyrim, it’s important to note that you can only have one active horse following you at a time. Riding a horse becomes your “active” horse and will follow you wherever you go, even if you fast travel.
In Skyrim, is it Possible to Stable a Horse?
Yes, you can put your horse in a stable in Skyrim by selecting the “Stable your horse” option. This option is available at most stables throughout the game, and it allows you to safely store your horse while you explore on foot or take care of other businesses.
What Happens if I Leave My Horse in Skyrim?
If you leave your horse unattended in Skyrim, it will likely wander around until it finds something to eat or drink or until it is attacked and killed by predators or enemies.
Wrapping Up
In Skyrim, getting a horse can be beneficial for several reasons. It allows for faster travel, enables you to carry more items, can improve combat effectiveness, and provides a more immersive experience.
While horses require some initial investment, they can be useful for adventurers looking to explore and complete quests.
