What to Feed a Skeleton Horse: A Minecraft Masterclass
The burning question that plagues many a Minecraft adventurer: What do you feed a skeleton horse? The simple, albeit somewhat anticlimactic, answer is: nothing. That’s right, skeleton horses in Minecraft do not eat anything. They are undead mobs, and traditional sustenance is simply not part of their… well, un-life. Instead of carrots and apples, they have a unique mechanic for “health” restoration. Think of it as more of a recharge than a feeding.
Understanding Undead Nutrition
Forget the hay bales and sugar cubes! A skeleton horse’s nutritional needs are decidedly… unconventional. Instead of food, you’ll need to think about potions – specifically, potions of Harming. Yes, you read that right. Since a skeleton horse is undead, effects that would damage a living creature actually heal it.
So, if your skeletal steed is looking a little… bony (more bony?), toss a Splash Potion of Harming or a Lingering Potion of Harming its way. You can even use an Arrow of Harming! Watch as the negative effect regenerates its health. This is a vital piece of knowledge for any aspiring skeleton horse enthusiast.
Taming and Riding Your Bony Companion
Before you can even think about “feeding” your skeleton horse (or, more accurately, not feeding it), you need to tame and saddle it.
Taming a Skeleton Horse
The process for taming this amazing beast is simple: A skeleton horse can be tamed by killing the skeleton that is riding the horse. Then, the player will be able to tame it. A saddle is required, too.
Saddling Up
Once tamed, you’ll need a saddle to control its movements. Equip the saddle by right-clicking on the horse with the saddle in your hand. Now you’re ready to ride! Note that in Bedrock Edition, skeleton horses can be controlled without a saddle, while in Java Edition, a saddle is mandatory for control.
Skeleton Horse FAQs: Your Burning Questions Answered
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about skeleton horses, covering everything from their rarity to their underwater capabilities.
1. Can I ride my skeleton horse underwater?
Yes! This is one of the skeleton horse’s coolest features. Unlike regular horses, a skeleton horse doesn’t force you to dismount when submerged. You can ride it underwater without drowning. While the horse itself doesn’t need air, you might, so consider a Potion of Water Breathing for extended underwater excursions.
2. Are skeleton horses faster than regular horses?
They can be. Skeleton horses are naturally faster than regular horses, but they have half the health. Some players theorize about further enhancing their speed, potentially reaching up to 25 blocks per second with modifications. But be mindful of their lower health pool!
3. How rare is a skeleton horse?
Skeleton horses are relatively rare. They spawn during thunderstorms as part of a “skeleton trap.” When lightning strikes, there’s a small chance (0.75-6.75% depending on difficulty) that a skeleton horse trap will be triggered. This spawns a skeleton horse and a skeleton rider.
4. Can skeleton horses be bred?
No, skeleton horses cannot be bred. They are unique entities spawned only through skeleton traps. If you want more skeleton horses, you’ll have to wait for another thunderstorm and hope for a trap to trigger, or simply spawn baby skeleton horses in creative mode.
5. Can you put a chest on a skeleton horse?
Despite its lack of stomach and the fact that it cannot be equipped with a chest, the default texture file, like those of normal horses, donkeys and mules, includes a chest.
6. Do skeleton horses despawn?
Tamed horses, in general, can despawn if not properly managed. To prevent this, make sure they are leashed, fenced in a 19×19 area, surrounded in a minimum of a 19×19 blocked area (like a stable), or named.
7. What happens if lightning strikes a skeleton horse?
If a skeleton horse is struck by lightning, the skeleton rider will be equipped with an enchanted iron helmet and an enchanted bow.
8. Can you stable a skeleton horse?
Unfortunately, like the skeletal horses from Breath of the Wild, you cannot stable these undead equines. Enjoy them while you can, but they can’t be saved for later use at a stable location.
9. Can you tame a zombie horse?
Yes, this feature is in Java Edition. Tamed and saddled zombie horses can be used as one of the fastest means of transportation in the game. They can also be used to climb hills and jump fences. But beware, as it cannot be ridden on Bedrock Edition.
10. What is the rarest horse in Minecraft?
While there aren’t “rare” horse breeds in Minecraft like in real life, the skeleton horse is considered one of the rarer horse variants due to its specific spawning conditions.
11. Can I revive a skeleton horse?
As it’s undead, effects that harm the living heal it. Throw a Splash Potion of Harming or Lingering Potion of Harming at the skeleton horse or shoot an Arrow of Harming at the skeleton horse to restore its health.
12. Can you put armor on a skeleton horse?
Yes, skeleton horses can be equipped with armor, just like regular horses. This helps protect them in combat.
13. What are the limitations of riding a skeleton horse?
While excellent for underwater travel, you cannot use a Nether Portal or End Portal while riding a skeleton horse. You’ll have to dismount before entering these dimensions.
14. Where can I learn more about gaming and learning?
Consider checking out the Games Learning Society, an organization dedicated to exploring the intersection of gaming and education. Their website is available at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.
15. Are skeleton horses affected by gravity?
Yes, they are affected by gravity like most entities in Minecraft. They can fall and take fall damage, so be careful when traversing cliffs or other high places.