Skyrim is a huge world, and moving through it on foot can take a long time. That’s why horses are important in the game. They help you travel faster, escape danger, and carry more items. But many players use horses without really understanding how they work in Skyrim.
This guide explains everything about horses in the game, from buying your first mount to using advanced tricks for travel and combat. If you want to master movement in Skyrim, knowing the details about horses will save you time and make the game more enjoyable.
How To Get A Horse In Skyrim
Getting a horse is one of the first upgrades many players look for. There are several ways to acquire a horse, each with different benefits and costs.
- Buying a Horse: You can buy a horse at any major city’s stable. Stables are found outside places like Whiterun, Riften, Markarth, Solitude, and Windhelm. The price is usually 1,000 gold for a basic horse. You’ll receive a horse that matches the city’s color and style.
- Stealing a Horse: If you’re low on gold, you can try to steal a horse. Horses left unattended are often unguarded, but be careful—if someone sees you, you’ll get a bounty. Stolen horses don’t stay with you permanently and will disappear after you dismount.
- Quest Rewards: Some quests reward you with a unique horse. For example, completing the Dark Brotherhood questline gives you Shadowmere, one of the best horses in the game.
- Console Commands (PC only): If you’re playing on PC, you can use console commands to spawn a horse. However, this is not the intended way and can affect your achievements.
- Random Encounters: Rarely, you might find a horse after a battle, especially if its owner is killed. You can ride these horses, but they don’t become your property unless you buy or earn them.
Most players buy their first horse, but knowing other options helps if you want to save money or experiment.
Types Of Horses In Skyrim
Skyrim offers more than just one kind of horse. Each has unique features, speed, and sometimes special abilities.
| Horse Name | Location | Special Trait |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Horse | All stables | Basic stats |
| Shadowmere | Dark Brotherhood quest | High health, fast, regenerates |
| Frost | Riften (quest “Promises to Keep”) | Unique color, slightly faster |
| Arvak | Soul Cairn (Dawnguard DLC) | Summonable undead horse |
| Karinda | Solitude (quest-related) | Quest horse, not permanent |
- Standard horses are reliable but have no unique features.
- Shadowmere is the favorite for many because of her high health and ability to survive falls and battles.
- Frost stands out for his color and is slightly faster than other standard horses.
- Arvak is special because you can summon him anywhere after finishing his quest, making him great for players who fast travel often.
Unique horses usually have some advantage over normal horses. Beginners often miss that Shadowmere and Arvak are not just cosmetic—they really perform better in dangerous situations.
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Horse Speed And Stamina
One of the main reasons to use a horse is speed. But not all horses are equally fast, and stamina works differently for them than for the player.
| Horse | Base Speed | Health | Special |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | Approximately 42 units/sec | 288 | None |
| Shadowmere | 44 units/sec | 1637 | Regenerates health |
| Frost | 43 units/sec | 562 | Unique coloring |
| Arvak | 42 units/sec | 290 | Summon anywhere |
- Speed: Horses are much faster than walking or running on foot. Shadowmere is the fastest, followed closely by Frost.
- Stamina: Horses don’t run out of stamina like the player. They can sprint for long distances, but their sprint is not unlimited. However, most players never notice because the stamina bar is hidden for horses, and it refills quickly.
Non-obvious tip: Unlike the player, horses recover stamina even while running at full speed, so you can keep sprinting in short bursts to cover ground fast.
Riding Mechanics: How Horses Move
Riding in Skyrim feels simple, but there’s more to it than just pressing forward.
- Mounting: Approach any owned or free horse and press the interact button. Your character will climb on, and your follower (if you have one) will continue on foot.
- Controlling direction: Horses can go almost anywhere on land, but they are not as agile as on foot. They can turn, back up, and jump over low obstacles.
- Jumping: Horses can jump over fences, rocks, and small walls. Press the jump button while riding to clear these.
- Swimming: Horses cannot swim well. If you ride into deep water, the horse will stop and you’ll be forced to dismount.
- Climbing: One of the most surprising features is that horses in Skyrim can climb very steep hills, sometimes almost vertically. This lets you reach areas you couldn’t on foot.
Pro tip: Use your horse to shortcut over mountains or escape enemies by climbing slopes that would be impossible on foot.
Horses In Combat
Many players wonder if their horse can fight alongside them. The answer is: sometimes, but it depends on the horse.
- Standard horses will defend you if you are attacked while mounted or nearby. However, their health is low and they can die easily.
- Shadowmere is different. She will aggressively attack enemies and has much higher health, making her a true combat partner.
- Arvak cannot fight and will run away if attacked. However, since you can summon him again, death is not a problem.
If your horse dies in battle, you lose it permanently (except for Arvak and Shadowmere, who can respawn). Many beginners lose their horses by charging into battles without thinking.
Non-obvious insight: You can use your horse as a distraction. Dismount before a fight, and enemies may target the horse, giving you a chance to attack from behind or escape.
Fast Travel With Horses
Fast travel is a key part of Skyrim, and horses change how it works.
- If you own a horse: Fast traveling to a city or stable will usually bring your horse with you. The horse appears next to you at your destination.
- If you use a stolen horse: The horse will not follow you after fast travel.
- Summonable horse (Arvak): Simply summon him after fast traveling to a new place.
Important note: Sometimes horses get stuck or lost, especially after fast traveling to locations with difficult terrain. You may need to return to a stable or city to find your horse again.
Carrying Items With Horses
Many players hope horses can carry more items, but in vanilla Skyrim, horses don’t increase your inventory space. However, you can use them to move faster while over-encumbered.
- If you are carrying too much to run, mounting a horse lets you move at full speed.
- You cannot access a horse inventory or store items on a horse without mods.
This is a handy trick when looting dungeons far from cities. You can grab everything, ride your horse back, and sell your loot.
Unique Horses And Special Quests
Some horses are tied to quests and have special stories or powers.
Shadowmere
Shadowmere is earned by joining the Dark Brotherhood and completing the quest “The Cure for Madness. ” She is nearly impossible to kill, with much higher health and fast regeneration.
- Respawns automatically if killed after a few days.
- Can fight tough enemies and survive high falls.
Frost
Frost is found during the quest “Promises to Keep” near Riften. If you keep him, he becomes your horse, but he is not as powerful as Shadowmere.
- Slightly faster than standard horses.
- Unique white coloring.
Arvak
Arvak is found in the Soul Cairn during the Dawnguard DLC quest. After finding his skull, you gain a spell to summon him anywhere.
- Cannot die permanently.
- Perfect for frequent fast travel users.
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Tips For Using Horses Effectively
Many players overlook advanced tricks for using horses in Skyrim. Here are some ways to get more from your mount:
- Save your horse for emergencies: If you’re deep in a dungeon, leave your horse outside. Use it as a getaway tool if things go wrong.
- Shortcut over mountains: Don’t stick to roads. Climb hills and cross country to save time.
- Avoid horse theft penalties: If you steal a horse, ride it only when no one is around. Return it before entering a city to avoid bounties.
- Use horses to avoid stamina loss: Horses don’t get tired like your character does, so you can sprint for longer.
- Summon Arvak in tough spots: If you get stuck or lost, summon Arvak to escape.
Beginner mistake: Many players forget that horses can die. Always check your horse’s health after battles.
Horse Mods And Expansions
While this guide covers the basic game, many players use mods to enhance their horse experience.
- Convenient Horses: Adds horse inventory, better controls, and new abilities.
- Immersive Horses: Lets you customize and upgrade your horse.
- Horse Armor: Cosmetic upgrades, some available in official content.
Mods can make horses much more useful, but even in the vanilla game, understanding your horse’s strengths is key.
For more information about the different types of horses and their histories in Elder Scrolls games, you can visit the Skyrim Wikipedia page.
Common Mistakes Players Make
Even experienced players sometimes use horses incorrectly:
- Riding into battle carelessly: Horses are not invincible, and losing one can be expensive or permanent.
- Leaving your horse in dangerous places: If you dismount near enemies, your horse might wander into a fight.
- Forgetting to check for your horse after fast travel: Horses can get lost or stuck.
- Trying to swim across deep water: Horses can’t swim and you’ll be forced to dismount.
Avoid these mistakes to keep your horse safe and get the most value from your mount.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Get My Horse Back If It Disappears?
If your horse is missing, fast travel to a stable or city where you last owned it. Most owned horses will appear next to you. If not, check if your horse died in a recent fight.
Can I Have More Than One Horse In Skyrim?
You can only own one horse at a time in the base game. If you buy a new horse, it replaces your old one. However, Shadowmere and Arvak are special—they don’t count as standard horses and can be summoned or respawned.
Can I Fight While Riding My Horse?
In the original Skyrim, you cannot attack while riding. You must dismount to fight. Some mods or later editions allow mounted combat, but it is not in the base game.
Do Horses Level Up With The Player?
No, horses have fixed stats. Shadowmere, Frost, and Arvak have better stats from the start, but they do not get stronger as you level up.
Are There Ways To Make Horses Faster Or Stronger Without Mods?
Without mods, you cannot upgrade horses. Choosing Shadowmere or Frost gives you better performance, but there are no upgrades or equipment for horses in the base game.
Traveling with a horse in Skyrim is more than just riding from place to place. With the right knowledge, you can save time, avoid danger, and even use your horse in clever ways to beat tough challenges. Whether you want to explore every corner of Skyrim or just reach your next quest faster, mastering horses makes your adventure smoother and more exciting.
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