These tamable mobs can be used as a handy way to explore new lands in Minecraft, thanks to their speed and ability to fit through single-block openings.
Minecraft horses can also climb hills, jump fences, and even swim in shallow water – making your pony pal the best mode of transport to explore with.
You can find horses in plains and savannas in herds of around two to six – all herds are the same colour, but markings differ per horse. You can also find horses in stables or animal pens in villages.
Once you first mount the horse, a taming threshold is assigned to it, meaning unless the horse exceeds this taming threshold, it remains wild. You can influence this threshold by feeding the horse sugar, wheat, or apples.
Don’t worry if you’re bucked off at first - this is completely normal, and actually entirely realistic behaviour for wild horses. You just need to keep getting back on the horse until you hit the taming threshold.
Once the horse hits that magic number, hearts appear above it – congratulations on your new pet!
Once it’s tamed, you’re able to equip your horse with armour and a saddle. While you’re riding your horse, you can use items as you usually would; this includes potions and weapons. You can even craft from horseback.
If you don’t want to tame a new horse in Minecraft, you can breed your own by feeding two tamed horses to activate love mode – that’s an official term, by the way – so they produce a foal.
Minecraft horses aren’t the only loveable mobs; Minecraft bees are another adorable addition to the game.