Taming the Wild: Dismissing Your Loyal Steed in Skyrim
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So, you’ve conquered dungeons, slain dragons, and amassed a fortune in gold. But sometimes, the most challenging quest in Skyrim is figuring out how to manage your equine companion. The question on every Dragonborn’s lips: How do I dismiss my horse in Skyrim? The answer isn’t always straightforward, but with a little know-how, you can manage your four-legged friend with ease. The direct answer is that there isn’t a single “dismiss” button in Skyrim like there is for followers. However, you can effectively dismiss it by obtaining another horse or through creative methods involving fast travel and other gameplay mechanics. The rest of this article goes into greater detail.
Understanding Horse Management in Skyrim
Skyrim’s horse system is more about managing your current mount than permanently dismissing them. Unlike followers, horses don’t have a dedicated “dismiss” command. However, the game does offer a few methods that players can use to have them stay put somewhere until needed again.
Effective Methods for Horse “Dismissal”
- Acquiring a New Horse: This is the most straightforward approach. Purchasing a new horse from any stable will effectively make your current horse inactive. Your old steed will typically remain where you last dismounted, awaiting your return. Keep in mind that only your most recently ridden purchased horse will fast travel with you.
- The Arvak Trick (Dawnguard DLC Required): The best method for controlling your horse’s location involves a spectral steed from the Soul Cairn. Complete the Arvak subquest within the Dawnguard DLC to obtain the ability to summon Arvak.
- When you want to “dismiss” your current horse, simply summon Arvak, ride him briefly, and then dismount. Because Arvak despawns, your original horse will stay at the location it was when you mounted Arvak. This method is effective because Arvak is summoned, and the horse doesn’t try to return when you teleport.
- Strategic Fast Travel: Horses cannot enter cities or buildings. If you fast travel to a city or town, your horse will wait for you just outside the gates or near the stables. If you need to leave your horse somewhere specific, dismount, enter a building, and then fast travel to your desired location. The horse will remain where you left it.
- Shadowmere Management: This unique, immortal horse from the Dark Brotherhood questline requires specific handling. To “dismiss” Shadowmere, simply ride another horse. Shadowmere will remain where you dismounted him. To retrieve Shadowmere, return to the pool near the Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary. Shadowmere will respawn there after you stop riding him.
The Importance of Ownership
Understanding horse ownership is vital. Stolen horses will always return to their original location. Only purchased horses and quest-rewarded horses (like Shadowmere and Frost) will remain where you leave them. Always ensure the horse’s name indicates it belongs to your character.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I get a horse in Skyrim?
You can acquire a horse by:
- Purchasing one: Visit any stable in Skyrim and buy a horse for around 1000 gold.
- Completing quests: Certain quests, like joining the Dark Brotherhood (Shadowmere) or stealing Frost in Riften, will reward you with a horse.
- Stealing: While possible, stolen horses return to their original location.
- Summoning: With the Dawnguard DLC, you can summon Arvak after completing his quest in the Soul Cairn. Also, you can summon a Daedric horse using a spell tome in the Dragonborn DLC.
What happens if my horse dies?
Most horses, once dead, are gone for good. However, Shadowmere is an exception. He will respawn after about 10 in-game days near the pool by the Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary.
Can I sell my horse?
Yes, you can sell your horse to any stable owner. You’ll receive around 70% of the horse’s original purchase price. Be warned: the horse will respawn at its original location.
How do I find my horse again?
If you own the horse and fast travel to an outdoor location, it will appear with you. If you left it somewhere specific, it should remain there, unless it encountered enemies. If you bought it, it will be by the stables of the nearest town.
Can I have multiple horses?
Yes, but only one purchased horse will fast travel with you. The others will stay where you last left them.
How do I keep a stolen horse?
You can’t permanently keep a stolen horse. It will always return to its original location, unless you use mods to change this.
What is the best horse in Skyrim?
Shadowmere is considered one of the best horses due to its high health, stamina, and health regeneration. He can also survive many situations that would kill a normal horse.
How do I make my horse stop following me?
Horses don’t actively “follow” you in the same way followers do. They will simply be at your location when you load into an outdoor area by traveling. If you want to keep your horse at a particular stable, ride the horse to the stable, dismount, and then fast travel somewhere without the horse. If it is following you when you don’t expect it to, then it is likely that it is another character’s horse that is programmed to follow them around. If you want to get rid of an automatically following horse, whether it’s your own or one the game just thinks is your own, you can simply get on a horse that isn’t yours. This does count as stealing, but if you get away they should forget about it. Getting on that horse will make it the active horse.
What happens to Shadowmere if I get another horse?
Shadowmere will remain where you last dismounted him. He won’t disappear or die simply because you acquired another horse. He simply waits for you to use him again.
Will my horse wander off?
Owned horses generally stay where you leave them, unless they are attacked by enemies. Stolen horses will return to their original location, but purchased horses will stay put.
Can you call your horse in Skyrim?
There is no way to whistle and summon your horse to you. Your horse will show up, however, when you use fast travel to travel outside the cities.
How do I mount and dismount my horse on Xbox One?
The A button is used to both mount and dismount your horse on Xbox One.
What happens to Shadowmere if he dies?
Unlike other horses, Shadowmere respawns after about 10 in-game days near the pool by the Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary.
Can I keep Shadowmere in a stable?
While you can lead Shadowmere to a stable, he doesn’t technically stay in the stable. The best way to keep Shadowmere in a specific location is to summon Arvak, ride him briefly, dismount, and leave Shadowmere there.
Is it necessary to have a horse in Skyrim?
A horse is not necessary, but it definitely speeds up travel, particularly across long distances. Early game, spending your gold on weapons and armor is the best choice to make your character stronger.
Mastering the Art of Equine Management
While Skyrim doesn’t offer a simple “dismiss” command, understanding the game’s mechanics allows you to effectively manage your horses. Whether you’re using Arvak’s spectral form or strategically fast traveling, you can ensure your trusty steed is always where you need it.
And speaking of learning and mastering, the skills and knowledge acquired while playing games can often translate into real-world benefits. Just as you learn to manage resources and strategize in Skyrim, you can apply those skills to other aspects of your life. Organizations like the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org explore the educational and cognitive benefits of gaming. So, the next time you’re lost in the world of Skyrim, remember that you’re not just having fun – you’re learning, too!