Saddle Up: Best Horse Riding Games to Play Now

Horses may not be considered man’s best friend, but they sure are helpful. Get your saddle and prepare to mount up. In this list, we’re going over some of the best horse riding games available to date.

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#21 Red Dead Redemption

Platform: PS4 Switch – August 17, 2023
Release Date: Xbox 360 PS3 – May 18, 2010

PlayStation | Xbox | Nintendo

Who doesn’t love horses? You were never meant to play a game like Red Dead Redemption if you don’t. Why? Because it’s a game about cowboys, outlaws, and, yes, horses. In fact, part of the crux of the game is that you have to travel across the country to hunt down outlaws, and that would take a mighty long time if you had to do that on foot.

So mount up on your horse and go see the sights while battling fugitives and securing your future!

Plus, in the game’s rerelease, you can fight zombies on your horse! We can’t confirm if there are zombie horses to fight, though.

#20 The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Platform: Switch
Release Date: May 12, 2023

Nintendo

In the past, Link has only needed one horse to go ride around Hyrule, Termina, or the other lands he’s visited. However, in a certain previous title, that was thrown out the window as gamers could roam around the newest version of Hyrule, find a horse they like the most, tame it, and then ride it whenever they wanted.

You’ll be happy to know that Tears of the Kingdom will let you mount up on horses and other creatures once again. So feel free to make yet another stable full of the horses you love so you can easily ride around Hyrule.

Or, you can use the new “Fuse” ability to craft vehicles to get around. The choice is yours.

#19 Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord

Platform: PC PS4 Xbox One XSX|S PS5
Release Date: October 25, 2022

Steam | Playstation | Xbox

Have you ever dreamed of being a medieval knight or lord from times past? Wearing the armor and leading your forces into battle against rivals and foes? In Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord, you’ll have the chance to live out that dream in spectacular fashion.

Your goal is simple, to build a clan and help that clan rise in status so that it can be seen as one of the best in the realm. But how you do that is up to you. The game gives you numerous options to the point where you’ll want to play the game many times over to see all the paths you can take!

#18 Horse Tales: Emerald Valley Ranch

Platform: PC, PS4, PS5

Release Date: November 3, 2022

Genre: Adventure

Horse Tales: Emerald Valley Ranch has players venturing to their aunt’s for a nice vacation. However, you soon discover that the family estate has been tossed into ruins. Players must repair the estate and return it to its former glory.

While you can explore the town and meet new friends, a big part of this game is about horses. You’ll build a stud farm and attempt to breed horses for specific stats, characteristics, and colors. Meanwhile, players can hop onto their horses and participate in thrilling races.

#17 Secrets of the Magic Crystals

Platform: PC

Release Date: February 4, 2010

Genre: Casual, Indie

Secrets of the Magic Crystals is all about horses, inviting players to take control of a horse-breeding farm. Set in a relaxed fantasy setting, players are tasked with watching over the horses and taking care of them. This means healing them when they’re sick or buying objects for them such as new horseshoes. There are even missions for your horses to embark upon. The type of horses you can breed can be anything from a Unicorn to a Pegasus, so this is perfect for people sick of your run-of-the-mill breeds.

#16 Riding Club Championships

Platform: PC

Release Date: September 28, 2016

Genre: Action, Free to Play, Racing, Sports

If you’re after some competitive horse racing, Riding Club Championships is for you. This is a free-to-play title based around online competitions or solo gameplay. Players will be taking part in a series of challenges from show jumping, barrel racing, pole bending, agility, and jump agility challenges.

As mentioned, this is an online game so you can face off against other players or friends. When not actively competing in a challenge, players can tend to their horses, groom them or simply hang out in a chat room. You can also make your own custom course for other players to compete in along with a voting system to determine who wins.

#15 Rival Stars Horse Racing: Desktop Edition

Platform: PC

Release Date: June 25, 2020

Genre: Casual, Racing, Simulation, Sports, Strategy

Rival Stars Horse Racing: Desktop Edition is a lot like our previous entry Riding Club Championships, but this title is all about races. Players will be able to breed the perfect champion horse, customize its characteristics, and upgrade its gear. From there, you’ll race your horse at your leisure or online against other players and friends. You can even display the trophies your horse has won. As you start to breed more racehorses you can hire caretakers to tend to the foals while you focus on winning the next big race.

#14 Shadow of the Colossus Remake

Platform: PS4

Release Date: February 6, 2018

Genre: Action-adventure / Action / Adventure / Puzzle

Shadow of the Colossus has been around since the PlayStation 2 era, and the PlayStation 4 remake offers not only a coat of fresh paint but some improved mechanics as well. In this game, players have a horse companion named Agro who is an incredibly good boy.

Agro is your main mode of transportation, taking players around the game map at incredible speeds. This horse can bolt into action as you battle against giant enemies or dash away to keep yourself safe. There were even some mechanics built into the game allowing Agro to bolt into a full sprint right away or stop on a dime. This horse will be your partner throughout the game and using Agro won’t just be to get from point A to point B. Think of him as a dear friend.

#13 Assassin’s Creed Valhalla

Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Luna

Release Date: PC, PS4, Stadia, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S – November 10, 2020

PS5 – November 12, 2020

Genre: Action role-playing

Assassin’s Creed has been around for ages now and some of the more recent installments feature a massive open world. Players have tons of exploring to do, but luckily the past few titles have given our protagonist access to a horse.

The horse in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla isn’t accurate in terms of the breed and locations based within the game, but that’s just a tiny hiccup in the overall lore. Much like the previous installments for Assassin’s Creed, players can summon their horse and use it to further explore parts of the map.

There are also additional stables available where you can purchase a new horse mount, but this won’t change the stats of the horse. In order to get your horse’s stats up within Valhalla, you’ll need to train it within the village stable. Buying a new breed from the stable just changes the look of your steed. Who wouldn’t want their horse’s hair to match their armor?

#12 The Sims 3 Pets

Platform: PC, PS3, OS X, Xbox 360, Nintendo 3DS

Release Date: October 18, 2011

Genre: Life simulation game

The Sims is a game franchise that’s been around for decades and with each new mainline installment, there are a plethora of expansions released. For The Sims 3, we have an expansion completely dedicated to pets. With this expansion, not only do you have the ability to have fuzzy critters by your side in your Sims world, but you can control them as well. In fact, this expansion was the first to bring horses to the franchise, giving players the ability to see if they have what it takes to tame a wild steed.

#11 Far Cry 6

Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, XBO, X/S

Release Date: October 7, 2021

Genre: FPS, Action-Adventure

Far Cry 6 is the latest installment of the Far Cry franchise. In this game, players take on the role of Dani, a woman seeking to end the horrible regime in her country. The fictional Caribbean island of Yara has been forced to follow the will of El Presidente Anton Castillo, and guerilla fighters have emerged from the citizenry in the hopes of bringing peace to Yara once again. The Far Cry franchise typically features a range of different wildlife to use to your advantage.

For instance, in Far Cry 4, players could ride on an elephant and fire against enemies in their area. In Far Cry 6, you can ride horses and shoot toward enemy targets, and different horses are located within various regions. There’s a horse available at the start of Far Cry 6, but if you venture around, you’ll find horses in regions such as Conuco, Quito, and Venjice.

#10 Ghost of Tsushima Directors Cut

Platform: PS4, PS5

Release Date: July 17, 2020

Genre: Action-Adventure, Stealth

Ghost of Tsushima was developed under Sucker Punch Productions and released in 2020, but we’d recommend grabbing the Director’s Cut if possible. This grants you the base game along with a new storyline centered around a nearby island. Overall, the game follows a samurai fighting off a Mongol invasion of Japan. Players will fight an uphill battle using the skills of a samurai and learn to use stealth to our protagonist Jin’s advantage.

With the game being open-world, there is a good bit of traveling around. Fortunately, you do get a mount in this game. Right at the start of the game prologue, players will choose one of three horses, although all have the same statistics. From there, you can travel via the horse, fight on horseback, and even unlock a skill that gives the horse a mounted strike. This move offers Jin the ability to jump off the horse and deliver a staggering attack.

#9 Kingdom Come Deliverance

Platform: PC, PS4, Xbox One

Release Date: February 13, 2018

Genre: Action role-playing

Kingdom Come Deliverance is an action RPG that follows a medieval war in 1403. This immersive open-world title is filled with difficult choices and consequences. Being that this game is set during the medieval era there are plenty of horses featured throughout. Some horses are used to help farmworkers while others get civilians from place to place. Likewise, there are also horses used in battle. In this game, every horse has a strength and weakness so it’s not like a one size fits all situation. You’ll need to find the horse that suits your needs.

You’ll want to ensure that your steed has the necessary equipment available such as head and body armor. Fortunately, you won’t have to watch your faithful companion bite the bullet. Instead, in this game, if your horse finds its HP depleted then just like in real life, it will lay on the ground until its health regenerates. (Okay, maybe it’s not like in real life.)

#8 Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord

Platform: PC

Release Date: March 30, 2020

Genre: Strategy, action role-playing, Simulation

Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord is still in early access, but this action RPG is filled with an active community of players, receiving incredibly positive reviews following its release in 2020. Horses in this game are considered another means to turn the tide of battle in your favor. Using a mount can help cover a large area quickly while battling against those unfortunate enough not to have a mount. (Can you imagine?) You can ride your horse into a crowd and swing your sword to take enemies out and speed your way to the next destination. Similar to our previous point, Kingdom Come Deliverance, there are a variety of horses with different stats available in this title.

#7 Black Desert Online

Platform: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Android, iOS

Release Date: PC – March 3, 2016

Xbox One – March 4, 2019

PS4 – August 22, 2019

Steam – May 24, 2017

iOS, Android – December 2019

Genre: MMORPG

Black Desert Online is a more popular MMORPG, known for its level of detail and gameplay mechanics. Set in a fantasy world, players will need a horse to get through this game, as no fast travel option exists. Going from place to place requires players to either travel by foot or a better and quicker option, travel by horse. You’ll need to first tame a horse which can be tricky as it will require two particular items: a Capturing Rope and a Lump of Raw Sugar. Since there’s no guaranteed way of capturing a horse to tame, you’ll want a few of these items on standby in case the horse gets away.

From there, it’s a mini-game to obtain your trusty steed. To get some of the more impressive horses, you’ll need to breed mounts which is quite a lengthy endeavor, but well worth it in the end.

#6 Conan Exiles

Platform: PC, PS4, Xbox One

Release Date: May 8, 2018

Genre: Action-adventure, survival

Conan Exiles is a popular MMO survival game. If you’re familiar with the Conan franchise, you’ll know the world is a harsh one, and being within the Exiled Lands, getting around to find resources and goods quickly is not only a benefit but at times a means of life or death. Your horse really will become your best friend.

Simply popping a saddle onto a horse will transform it into your mount and that saddle determines the stats for your steed. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t influence the horse with XP. In fact, when you have a horse, you’ll see stats rise from riding the mount passively or entering combat. Speaking of combat, horses in this game can be used to race away from danger or as a way to put some useful distance between you and an enemy.

#5 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Platform: PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Switch

Release Date: PC, PS3, Xbox 360 – November 11, 2011

PS4, Xbox One – October 28, 2016

Switch – November 17, 2017

Genre: Action role-playing, Open world

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is a game that just won’t go away. After being released back in 2011, the title is just as relevant today with new editions available for the newest systems. We probably don’t need to go into detail about what Skyrim is at this point, but it’s worth pointing out that horses were pretty useful in this RPG.

Horses were another means of travel and at one point, that’s all the horses were good for in Skyrim. It wouldn’t be until patch post-launch that players were given the ability to fight while on a horse. There wasn’t much difference between the standard horses you can purchase from a stable, but there were some unique mounts that could only be obtained through certain quests. For instance, Shadowmere is a unique horse that can only be obtained by completing the Dark Brotherhood questline. Not only did it look unique but it had more strength than other horses, making it a bit more useful in combat.

#4 The Witcher 3

Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, XSX, Switch

Release Date: PC, PS4, Xbox One – May 19, 2015

Switch – October 15, 2019

PS5, XSX – 2021

Genre: Action role-playing

When you first think back to your faithful steed in The Witcher 3, you might just remember Roach’s AI bugging out. There’s no telling where you would find Roach in this game. However, since the bugs have cleared, Roach is much tamer. Much like other RPG titles on this list, horses in The Witcher 3 are just another means of traversing the world quickly.

By equipping different items to your horse, you’ll find that Roach’s stats will change. Giving him a saddle will allow Roach to gallop longer and adding saddlebags will increase his item storage limit. Combat is possible on horseback, but there is a catch–Roach can get scared and when his fear level becomes too high, the player will get tossed. Fortunately, you can counter this by equipping Horse Blinders.

#3 The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Platform: Nintendo Switch, Wii U

Release Date: March 3, 2017

Genre: Action-adventure

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild might be the best Zelda game released on the market. It certainly has a massive following and since its launch, its become a must-have for the Nintendo Switch. Being an open-world Zelda game, there is a ton of exploring, and fortunately, Link has a few different means to traverse the world.

While you can ride Epona, that will require an Amiibo to unlock. In this game, there are quite a few different mounts and horses to pick from more easily. There’s even a bear if you’re bold enough to mount the animal. Link just needs to tame an animal in order to use it to traverse the world. Each horse can be a bit different in terms of stats. While these horses can help Link move from one destination to the next, they also can be useful for ramming through enemies.

#2 Red Dead Redemption 2 / RDO

Platform: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Stadia

Release Date: PS4, Xbox One – October 26, 2018

PC – November 5, 2019 

Stadia – November 19, 2019

Genre: Action-adventure

We started our list off with the first Red Dead Redemption title and you knew we would eventually get to Red Dead Redemption 2. The sequel adds so much more content for players to enjoy, along with a variety of horses each having different stats.

Using a horse is crucial in the world of Red Dead Redemption 2. It’s how your protagonist will travel and the beasts also become useful in combat, whether you’re racing away from the law or lassoing an enemy. You can even take your horse to different stables in order to upgrade some stats, buy gear, or just change up the look of your steed.

#1 Elden Ring

Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

Release Date: February 25, 2022

Genre: Action RPG

Elden Ring was one of the most anticipated video games scheduled for release in 2022. Fans of FromSoftware couldn’t wait to get their hands on the challenging action RPG. Not only was it another brutal combat-focused title, but its open-world map had players endlessly exploring for hidden treasures and bosses to take down. An aspect that made traversing the world a bit quicker was the added benefit of a mount. Players can travel by horseback, saving a ton of bother. Who doesn’t love a trusty steed?

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Bonus Games

Starters Order 6

Platform: PC

Release Date: June 29, 2016

Genre: Simulation, Sports, Strategy

Starters Order 6 is an in-depth horse racing management game. Players will be building up stables and breeding horses while also taking on the role of a jockey to race against the competition. This game features a bit of menu-heavy management so if you’re after a more detailed horse racing game then this might be worth the purchase.

Darksiders 1

Platform: PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Switch, Wii U

Release Date: January 5, 2010

Original Version

PS3, Xbox 360 – January 5, 2010

PC – September 23, 2010

Warmastered Edition
PS4, Xbox One – November 22, 2016

PC – November 29, 2016

Wii U – May 23, 2017

Switch – April 2, 2019

Genre: Hack and Slash, Action-adventure

Darksiders was released back in 2010 as a hack-and-slash action-adventure game. Following a story of Armageddon, players step into the role of War, one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse. During the game, War obtains Ruin, a Clydesdale that’s shrouded by fire and smoke. Unfortunately, the horse is not obtained at the start of the game, but when you do get control of Ruin, players can use him to traverse the world or as a helpful ally in combat.

Darksiders 2

Platform: PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Wii U, Switch

Release Date: August 14, 2012

Original Version

PC, PS3, Xbox 360 – August 14, 2012

Wii U – November 18, 2012

Deathinitive Edition

PS4, Xbox One – October 27, 2015

PC – November 5, 2015

Switch – September 26, 2019

Genre: Action role-playing, hack and slash

The sequel to Darksiders 2 offers players more hack-and-slash content. This time around the developers took the frustration that players expressed about how long it took to get Ruin in the first game and provided a mount at the start of Darksiders 2. Instead of Ruin, players are given Despair. Much like Ruin, Despair offers players the ability to traverse the world and charge against enemies.