how to get epona in ocarina of time Unlock Epona Step by Step
The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time remains a masterpiece of game design, offering an expansive world filled with secrets and memorable milestones. Among the most iconic achievements in the game is bonding with Link's loyal steed, a companion that vastly accelerates travel across Hyrule Field. Unlocking this majestic horse requires completing specific steps across two different eras in the game's timeline.
Visiting Lon Lon Ranch as Child Link
Your journey to secure the legendary horse begins during the protagonist's childhood years. After meeting Princess Zelda and receiving her letter, you must visit Lon Lon Ranch located right in the center of Hyrule Field. Head to the central paddock during the daytime to find a young girl named Malon standing among the horses.
Approach Malon and speak to her multiple times until she introduces you to a skittish red horse that runs away when you draw near. To soothe the animal, pull out your musical instrument and play the melody that Malon teaches you right there. Learning Epona's Song establishes a lifelong bond with the creature and lays the absolute foundation for your future reunion.
Returning to the Ranch as Adult Link
Seven years later, the world of Hyrule undergoes a dramatic and dark transformation under the rule of Ganondorf. When you return to Lon Lon Ranch as an adult, you will discover that the tyrannical Ingo has taken control from Talon. The new owner charges visitors a fee of ten rupees just to ride the horses inside the gated paddock area.
Pay the required entry fee to enter the riding grounds and immediately pull out your ocarina. Play the familiar melody you learned as a child, which will cause the distinctive red horse to run directly to your side. Mount the horse and practice jumping over the small fences to familiarize yourself with the stamina carrot mechanics.
Challenging Ingo to a High Stakes Race
While riding the horse inside the enclosure, trot over to Ingo and speak to him while remaining mounted on your steed. He will challenge you to a horse race around the track with a wager of fifty rupees. You must manage your speed carefully, utilizing carrots to sprint past him without exhausting your horse's stamina completely.
After you defeat him the first time, an enraged Ingo will demand a rematch with even higher stakes on the line. He offers to let you keep the horse permanently if you manage to beat him in a second consecutive lap. Maintain an inner racing line around the corners to cut off his path and secure the final victory smoothly.
Escaping the Ranch Enclosure
Although you have won the wager fairly, Ingo refuses to let you leave and locks the main front gates of the ranch. To escape this trap, gather maximum speed on your newly acquired horse and head toward the perimeter fences. Leap cleanly over either the main exit gate or the side wall to break free into the open expanse of Hyrule Field.
Successfully clearing the obstacle grants you total freedom to summon your companion anywhere across the vast fields of Hyrule. From this point onward, playing the special melody will instantly bring the horse to your side for faster exploration. This companion makes traveling between dungeons much more efficient while unlocking additional optional archery challenges later in the campaign.