If you want to know how to tame a horse in Minecraft, you’re in the right place. Taming a horse can make traveling across your world faster and a lot more fun. Whether you want to explore distant biomes, escape mobs quickly, or just build your farm, horses are super handy. And let’s be honest—riding a horse looks awesome.
I’m going to walk you through everything you need to know about horse taming in Minecraft, including finding horses, taming techniques, feeding, riding, and even breeding. By the time you’re done reading, you’ll feel like a true horse whisperer in the blocky world of Minecraft.
Where to Find Horses in Minecraft
Before you tame a horse, you need to know where to find one. Horses aren’t everywhere in Minecraft, so knowing their spawn locations can save you time.
Horses naturally spawn in a few specific biomes, and usually in groups.
- Plains biome – The most common place to find horses. They spawn in herds of 2–6.
- Savanna biome – Another great spot with a high horse spawn rate.
- Villages – Occasionally, horses can be found near villages, especially in animal pens.
You’ll recognize them easily—they look like regular horses with blocky bodies, come in different colors and markings, and are often standing in open grassy fields.
If you’re having trouble finding one, you can also try spawning a horse using a horse spawn egg in creative mode.
Items You’ll Need Before Taming a Horse
So what to carry before attempting to tame a horse in Minecraft? Taming doesn’t require a lot, but having the right gear helps a lot.
Here’s what you’ll need or might want:
- An empty hand – You can’t tame a horse with tools or weapons in hand.
- Saddle – Not required for taming, but you’ll need it to ride and control the horse after taming.
- Golden Apples or Golden Carrots – Optional, but feeding these can speed up the taming process.
- Leads and fences – Handy for tying up your new horse to keep it from wandering.
I usually take a few golden apples with me, especially if I’m taming a stubborn horse. Think of it like offering a treat to a wild animal to gain its trust.
How to Tame a Horse in Minecraft (Step-by-Step)
Now that you’re prepared, let’s get into the actual process. Taming a horse in Minecraft is more about patience than power.
Step 1: Approach the Horse with Empty Hands
Walk up to the horse slowly—no need to sneak. Just make sure you’re not holding anything.
Step 2: Mount the Horse
Right-click (or tap/mount button) to get on the horse. The horse will buck you off. That’s normal.
Step 3: Try Again
Keep mounting the horse over and over. Each time you get bucked off, right-click to try again.
- After a few attempts, you’ll see heart particles.
- That means the horse has been successfully tamed!
Step 4: Add a Saddle
Now that the horse is tamed, open your inventory while sitting on the horse. You’ll see the horse’s inventory.
Drag the saddle into the saddle slot. Now you can control the horse’s movement!
Sometimes it takes 3–8 tries to tame a horse. One time, I spent 5 minutes taming a particularly stubborn black-and-white horse that I named “Chaos.”
How to Feed and Heal Your Horse
Feeding isn’t required for taming, but it helps speed things up and keeps your horse healthy.
Here are common horse foods:
- Sugar – Speeds up growth of baby horses and helps with taming.
- Wheat – Heals a small amount.
- Apple – Heals and helps taming a bit.
- Golden Carrot/Golden Apple – Great for taming and also used for breeding.
You can feed a horse by holding the food item and right-clicking (or tapping) on the horse.
If you take damage while riding, your horse can too. Feeding helps with healing. So I recommend keeping some food handy if you’re riding into danger.
How to Ride and Control a Tamed Horse
Once tamed and saddled, riding your horse is simple.
- Use movement keys to control the horse like your character.
- Jumping: Hold the jump key to charge the jump meter, then release.
- Avoid water: Horses don’t swim well. Use leads or bridges.
Your tamed horse is now your trusted travel buddy. It’s super useful when exploring large maps or escaping mobs. I use mine mostly to go between my farms and village builds—so much faster than walking.
Breeding Horses in Minecraft
If you want more horses or better stats, breeding is your next step.
Here’s how to breed horses:
- Tame two adult horses.
- Feed each horse a Golden Apple or Golden Carrot.
- They will enter love mode and produce a foal (baby horse).
The foal’s stats (speed, health, and jump height) are inherited from its parents. So, if you breed two strong horses, chances are you’ll get an even better one.
I once bred a fast black horse with a high-jumping white one and got a perfect all-rounder. Totally worth the effort.
Tips for Choosing the Best Horse
Not all horses are equal. Some are faster, jump higher, or have more health.
To find the best horse:
- Test their speed: Race two horses side by side.
- Test their jump height: Try jumping over fences.
- Check health: The number of hearts shows how much health they have.
If you’re picky like me, you might tame 6–7 horses before finding “the one.”
What Happens After You Tame a Horse in Minecraft?
Once you’ve tamed a horse, it becomes your companion. You can:
- Equip it with saddles and armor.
- Use it for transportation and exploration.
- Store it in stables or tie it to a post using a lead.
- Breed it for more horses with better stats.
Your horse stays loyal. Even if you travel far, it won’t despawn as long as you keep it safe.
Common Mistakes When Taming a Horse in Minecraft
Let me highlight a few common mistakes I’ve seen (and made) while trying to tame a horse in Minecraft.
- Trying to tame without empty hands.
- Expecting the horse to be instantly tame.
- Forgetting to carry a saddle.
- Letting the horse wander off after taming.
- Not checking horse stats before settling.
Avoiding these saves you time and frustration.
How to Tame a Horse in Minecraft Without a Saddle?
A lot of people ask if you can tame and ride a horse without a saddle. The answer is:
- Yes, you can tame without a saddle.
- No, you can’t control movement until you add a saddle.
So, while the horse becomes yours, it just walks randomly if you try riding it unsaddled. Always carry a saddle!
Final Thoughts
Taming a horse in Minecraft is one of the most rewarding parts of the game. It gives you freedom, mobility, and a cool companion that sticks by your side. I encourage you to try different horses, breed them, and even build a stable. The world becomes so much easier (and more fun) when you have a reliable steed.
Don’t be afraid to explore or experiment. Each horse brings a new adventure.
What About You?
- Have you ever tamed a super rare horse in Minecraft?
- What’s your favorite horse color or breed in-game?
- Got any fun horse stories from your Minecraft adventures?
Let me know in the comments!