Rather than running around on foot, adult Link can get a horse to ride across the world far quicker in The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time Remake. Since the horse, named Epona, is not critical to completion of the main story, you might actually overlook her entirely by missing her side quest, or failing certain challenges.
This spoiler-lite guide for The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time Remake is everything there is to know about winning the horse Epona, as well as the horse-related activities that she unlocks.
How To Get The Horse, Epona
Two characters that you meet on your initial visit to Hyrule Castle Town will eventually lead to Epona: Malon in the courtyard’s northern section, who will give you a Weird Egg from which a Wake-Up Cucco will hatch; and Talon in the castle’s north-east, whom you must awaken using said Wake-Up Cucco.
Next, the ability to play as adult Link is necessary for completion of the actual quest itself, so progress the ‘Three Spiritual Stones’ quest and acquire the Master Sword.
Now head to Lon Lon Ranch as young Link during the day, and speak with Malon as she stands beside Epona in the corral. This should initiate the ‘Malon’s Friend’ side quest. Continue the conversation until you eventually learn Epona’s Song from her, on your Fairy Ocarina.
Go to the house that Malon shares with Talon, to play his Super Cucco minigame. You have 30 seconds to pick out the Super Cuccos that Talon has flung amidst the regular Cuccos in the room. Rather than attempt to track all three of them at once, focus on one, pick it up and fling it away from the rest. With that one marked as found, quickly start picking up and tossing the remaining Cuccos randomly until you identify the second and third Super Cuccos. Talon will automatically reinitiate dialogue once you have successfully identified the final one.
Another method is to corral the regular Cuccos in a section of the room by picking them up and tossing them there, and only then initiate the minigame to have the Super Cuccos stand out far more readily.
With your prize in hand, wrap up the conversation with Talon and leave: your final response is irrelevant to the Epona quest itself.
Switch to adult Link, and revisit Lon Lon Ranch. It appears to be under new ownership now, so ask for horse jump exercises from the current owner, Ingo. Rather than use his horses, use the previously learnt Epona’s Song to call her to your side, and practice riding with her instead.
Next, Ingo will challenge you to a race, which ought to be a breeze with Epona under you. Simply make judicious use of Accelerate from the carrot gauge of boosts to win.
During the demanded rematch challenge, Ingo will cheat, so prepare to use your boosts at the most appropriate time again. Stick to your inner lane and watch out for Ingo, so you can block him from overtaking you.
Ingo will attempt to detain you by closing the gates, so keep riding around the perimeter until you find the low fencing and have Epona leap over it in order to escape.
Watch the cutscene.
You can return to the Lon Lon Ranch immediately, to play a horse-jumping obstacle course minigame and win Link’s Cow, but Epona is already yours for the keeping.
How To Summon Epona
Adult Link can call for Epona in Hyrule Field or other wide open regions simply by playing Epona’s Song on either Ocarina:
X – Y – A – X – Y – A
Dungeons and towns are obviously inaccessible with Epona.
Things To Do With Epona
Having access to Epona unlocks minigames and a quest. One of them is the aforementioned obstacle course; the other is horseback archery in Gerudo Fortress. Unlocking the latter also requires Link to rescue the Master Craftsman’s carpenters, as well as acquiring the Gerudo Pass from the Gerudo Warrior.
The side quest can be received from the Poe Collector in Hyrule Castle Town. Link will be tasked with capturing Big Poe spirits in Empty Bottles. The Big Poes themselves are now spawnable by leaping Epona over the neon purple hurdles dotted around Hyrule Field.
Five Bottles of Big Poe Spirits will net an additional Empty Bottle, while ten Bottles will earn Link a Gold Rupee.
That is all you need to know about unlocking and summoning Epona, the horse, as well as fun activities to do with her in The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time Remake.
