How to Ride a Horse in Minecraft

Feed it fruits and vegetables, then select the horse with an empty hand to mount it

By Robert Earl Wells III
Updated on September 17, 2023
Reviewed by
Michael Barton Heine Jr
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Reviewed by Michael Barton Heine Jr
    Michael Heine is a CompTIA-certified writer, editor, and Network Engineer with 25+ years' experience working in the television, defense, ISP, telecommunications, and education industries.
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    What to Know

    • Tame a horse by feeding it fruits and vegetables, then select the horse with an empty hand to mount it.
    • Equip the horse with a Saddle to control the horse's movements, then press the Sneak button to dismount.
    • Breed horses by feeding them Golden Carrots or Golden Apples, then feed your baby horses to make them grow.

    This article explains how to ride a horse in Minecraft. Instructions apply to Minecraft for all platforms, including Windows, PS4, and Xbox One.

    How to Ride a Horse in Minecraft

    Follow these steps to tame and ride a horse in Minecraft:

    1. Find a Saddle or Horse Armor. You can find these items inside Chests in dungeons or Nether Fortresses. You may also catch them while fishing.

      Saddle in a Chest in Minecraft

    2. Find a horse. Horses can typically be found grazing in plains or savannas.

      Horses in Minecraft

    3. Feed the horse to tame it. Keep giving it food until hearts appear above its head.

      Feeding a horse apples in Minecraft

      You can try mounting an untamed horse, but it will likely throw you off. If you try enough times, you may eventually be able to mount it.

    4. Select the horse with an empty hand. You'll mount the horse, but you can't control its movements yet.

      Riding a horse in Minecraft

    5. Put a Saddle (or Horse Armor) on the horse. Open your inventory and drag the Saddle into the appropriate box beside your horse.

      A Saddle in the Horse menu in Minecraft

    6. Ride your horse. To dismount, press the Sneak button. This button is different depending on your platform:

      • PC: Press the left Shift key
      • Xbox: Press the right joystick
      • PlayStation: Press the right joystick
      • Nintendo: Press the right joystick
      • Mobile: Tap the center button twice
      Riding a horse with a saddle in Minecraft

    If you hold down the jump button, the blue/green bar under your health will start to fill up. To jump, release the button before the bar depletes.

    What Do Horses Eat in Minecraft?

    To tame a horse in Minecraft, feed them any of the following items:

    • Apples
    • Bread
    • Hay
    • Golden Apples
    • Golden Carrots
    • Sugar
    • Wheat

    Horse Breeding in Minecraft

    Once you have tamed two horses, build a fence around them and feed each of them a Golden Apple or Golden Carrot. If you're lucky, hearts will appear above their heads, and you'll soon have a little colt. Feed the baby horse to make it grow into an adult. Wait at least five minutes before trying to breed your horses again.

    An adult horse and a baby horse in Minecraft
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