Epona

The faithful steed summoned by song or Horse Call to aid the Hero of Time.

Epona is the legendary horse who serves as Link's trusted companion in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and subsequent entries. Introduced at Lon Lon Ranch, she was added by Shigeru Miyamoto specifically to allow Link to travel faster across Hyrule Field. She represents a unique bond between the hero and his steed, functioning not merely as transport but as a steadfast partner. Her inclusion marked a revolutionary shift in how players traversed the game world, offering a sense of speed and connection previously unseen in the series.

Lore & Background

Epona first appears in Ocarina of Time at Lon Lon Ranch, where she is introduced alongside Malon. It is here that young Link learns "Epona's Song," a melody he plays on his ocarina to call her. Later in the game, Link must free her from the control of Ingo before she can become his steed. Her role extends beyond Ocarina of Time; she reappears as the same horse in Majora's Mask and appears in Twilight Princess. In Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, Epona appears as a separate, recurring character—typically unlocked via amiibo—and is not confirmed to be the same individual from Ocarina of Time. In Twilight Princess, Link calls her by playing the "Horse Call" (also known as the "grass whistle") on a blade of grass. Shigeru Miyamoto noted that Epona was selected as Link's main mode of transport to allow him to travel faster across Hyrule Field.

Reader's Guide

To utilize Epona effectively, players must first locate her at Lon Lon Ranch in Ocarina of Time. After learning "Epona's Song" from Malon, the player can summon her by playing the melody on the ocarina. Her presence allows for faster travel across the open world, which was noted by Charlotte Krol of NME as one of the most enjoyable aspects of the game. In gameplay terms, she enables Link to move swiftly between locations and escape danger, fulfilling Miyamoto's design goal of connecting the player with the wider environment.