Can You Call Your Horse in Skyrim? A Comprehensive Guide for Aspiring Dragonborn
The short answer to whether you can call your horse in Skyrim is: not exactly like you can in other games like Assassin’s Creed. There’s no dedicated whistle or horn mechanic built into the base game to summon your equine companion from afar. However, the game does offer its own quirks and methods to ensure your horse is usually close at hand, so all is not lost! Let’s delve into the details and uncover everything you need to know about keeping your horse by your side in the vast and wondrous world of Skyrim.
Skyrim’s Horse Mechanics: A Different Breed
Unlike some games where a simple whistle brings your mount galloping to your side, Skyrim employs a more… automated approach. The key is understanding how the game handles horse locations and ownership.
Fast Travel is Your Friend
The primary way to “call” your horse in Skyrim is through fast travel. Whenever you fast travel to an outdoor location, any horse you own will automatically appear with you. This is the most reliable and straightforward way to ensure your horse is readily available. This feature relies on the fact that the game remembers your last horse location.
Ownership Matters
It is important to understand the horse ownership. Only horses that you’ve purchased from stables, acquired through quests (like Frost), or successfully tamed through the Anniversary Edition’s creation will fast travel with you. Stolen horses, or wild ones you simply hop on, won’t follow you around the map. If you dismount a stolen horse, it will return to its original location soon after you depart.
The “SetOwnership” Console Command (PC Only)
For PC players, there’s a more direct method available via the console command. If you happen to find a wild horse you’d like to keep, you can open the console (usually by pressing the tilde key ~), click on the horse to select it, and then type “setownership” and press enter. This essentially marks the horse as yours, and it should then follow the rules of fast traveling with you. However, its behaviour might still be unpredictable, and you might have to repeat the command now and then.
What About Mods?
While the base game lacks a true calling mechanic, the modding community has stepped up to fill the void. Several mods exist that introduce whistles, horns, or even spells to summon your horse to your location. If this feature is important to you, searching the Nexus Mods website for “horse whistle” or “horse call” is a good place to start. Just be sure to read the mod descriptions carefully to ensure compatibility with your version of Skyrim and any other mods you have installed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Horses in Skyrim
Here are some common questions players have about owning and managing horses in Skyrim:
1. Can I whistle for my horse in Skyrim without mods?
No, the base game of Skyrim does not include a feature to whistle for your horse. The primary method of keeping your horse nearby is through fast travel to outdoor locations.
2. What happens if I lose my horse in Skyrim?
Don’t panic! If you lose track of your horse, the simplest solution is to fast travel to an outdoor location. Your owned horse will automatically appear with you.
3. How many horses can I own in Skyrim?
You can own multiple horses in Skyrim. However, only the horse you are currently riding will fast travel with you. The others will generally return to their point of origin (the stable where you purchased them, for example).
4. Where can I store my horse in Skyrim?
Horses don’t need to be “stored” in the traditional sense. If you’re not riding a horse, it will typically remain where you last dismounted it (unless it is getting attacked). For peace of mind, you can leave your horse at a stable in one of the major cities.
5. How do I prevent my horse from dying in Skyrim?
Horses are unfortunately vulnerable to enemies in Skyrim. The best ways to protect them are to:
- Avoid dangerous areas when riding.
- Dismount and fight enemies on foot.
- Invest in a more resilient horse like Shadowmere or Frost.
- Consider using mods that make horses invincible or essential.
6. Can my horse be stolen in Skyrim?
No, your horse cannot be stolen by NPCs. However, if you dismount a stolen horse, it will eventually return to its original location.
7. What is the best horse to get in Skyrim?
The best horses statistically are Shadowmere and Frost. They have higher health and stamina than the standard horses you can purchase from stables. Shadowmere is obtained during the Dark Brotherhood questline, while Frost is obtained through a quest in Riften.
8. Can I get a free horse in Skyrim?
Yes! You can obtain Frost through a quest in Riften. Shadowmere is also acquired through Dark Brotherhood.
9. Do horses despawn in Skyrim?
No, owned horses do not despawn permanently. They can be “lost,” but fast traveling will usually bring them back to your side.
10. Can followers ride horses in Skyrim?
In the base game, followers cannot ride horses. However, there are mods available that allow followers to ride their own horses. A great mod option is Get Horses For Followers by Umgak.
11. How do I tame a wild horse in Skyrim?
The ability to tame wild horses was added with the Anniversary Edition. To tame a wild horse, you must mount it and remain mounted while it tries to buck you off. Once you’ve stayed on long enough, the horse will become your owned mount.
12. Are horses useful in Skyrim?
Horses can be useful for covering large distances quickly, but they are not essential. They can be expensive to purchase, and they are vulnerable in combat. Some players prefer to rely on fast travel or simply travel on foot.
13. Can horses report my crimes in Skyrim?
Yes, bizarrely, horses (and other animals) can witness your crimes and report them to the authorities. So, avoid committing illegal acts in front of your equine companion!
14. What is Arvak, and how do I get him?
Arvak is a unique Daedric horse that can be summoned at will. He is obtained by completing a quest in the Soul Cairn, which is accessed during the Dawnguard DLC. The quest is called Soul Cairn horse. Arvak despawns when you dismount him, making him an excellent on-demand transport option.
15. Do horses improve with my character level?
No, the stats of your horse do not improve as your character levels up. However, you can improve your own riding skills (through mods) or acquire a more powerful horse like Shadowmere or Frost.
Skyrim Horse Conclusion
While Skyrim lacks a simple whistle to call your horse, the fast travel system and the option to acquire unique and resilient mounts make equestrian travel manageable. And if you really miss the whistle feature, the modding community has you covered. Remember to protect your horse, be mindful of witnesses when committing crimes, and enjoy exploring the vast and beautiful world of Skyrim from horseback! Remember to check out GamesLearningSociety.org for more information on the intersection of games and learning. The Games Learning Society is a great place to learn more.