Learn how to unlock Epona for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for the Nintendo Switch 2. Includes information on how to stop Epona from running away, how to beat Ingo in a race, and activities you can do with Epona.
Learn Epona’s Song
After waking up Talon at Hyrule Castle and meeting Princess Zelda, you can go to Lon Lon Ranch found in the middle of Hyrule Field to visit him and Malon. Malon will be singing in the field with the horses.
Talk to Malon and when she mentions her mother, you can bring out your Ocarina so she’ll teach you Epona’s Song.
Horse Riding Practice
As Adult Link, visit Ingo Ranch (formerly Lon Lon Ranch) and talk to Ingo at the corral. He’ll charge you 20 rupees to ride a horse, agree to pay and summon Epona with Epona’s Song. If you don’t, she’ll kick you off and run away.
Get some practice jumping over the fences in the corral and get a feel for riding her. You’ll notice she’s faster than the other horses, has a good turning rate, and lots of stamina.
Epona’s stamina is measured by carrots. If they’re fully depleted, Epona will slow down and require about 5 seconds to recharge. Learn to not fully deplete these so they recharge quicker, spacing out each use between 3 seconds.
Managing Epona’s speed with her stamina is required for a chance to win the race. It’s even more important for a trading sidequest you’ll need her for.
Once you’re ready, talk to Ingo while riding Epona and he’ll bet 20 rupees if you beat him in a horse race. Accept this bet on Epona only, do not use other horses.
Race against Ingo
You’ll need to beat Ingo around the track to win this race. Stay closer corral fence on your right. The farther you are from a circular point (or oval in this case), the faster you have to go to make a full loop.
When you’re at the halfway point, fully recharge Epona’s stamina so you can use all of it to race to the end. Beat Ingo again in a rematch and you’ll win Epona! If you lose either race, you’ll lose 20 rupees and will need to restart the process.
Escaping Lon Lon Ranch
Ingo is of course, a sore loser, so he’ll let you keep Epona but hold you prisoner on the ranch. Have Epona go at full speed on the exterior fence (or over Ingo) to jump into Hyrule Field.
Congratulations! You have unlocked Epona and can summon her using Epona’s Song! In some places, you cannot summon her as the terrain may not be suitable for horses.
Activities with Epona
A couple of activities you can complete with Epona are hunting down Big Poes, complete the Trading Sequence sidequest, and play the Horseback Archery mini-game.
Hunt Big Poes
Big Poes are found all over Hyrule Field, but they’re too fast to catch on foot. If you take them down with the bow while riding Epona, you can capture their Poe Soul in a bottle and bring it to the Poe Collector in Hyrule Castle Town.
Trading Sequence Sidequest
If you want to get the two-handed Biggoron Sword, you’ll need Epona to complete the Trading Sequence sidequest. This sidequest has you moving all around Hyrule and sometimes with time limits.
Teleportation songs will cancel any countdowns, ruining any certain items you need to trade. Only Epona can get you from place to place in time while keeping these delicate items fresh.
Horseback Archery Minigame
If you earn the trust of the Gerudos, you can find an archery range at the back of the Gerudo’s Fortress. For a small fee, you’ll be able to shoot various targets while riding Epona. Getting enough points can get you some great prizes!
Extra: Different Views when escaping with Epona
Depending on which side of the fence you escape from, you’ll get slightly different cinematics. Ingo and Malon will change positions, while the final view where Epona rears up is of something different.
Escaping through the North
If you take the north exit over Ingo, you’ll get a view of Lon Lon Ranch with Gerudo Valley in the background.
Escaping through the East
Jumping over the east fence will get you an ominous view of Ganon’s Castle. You’ll need Epona’s help if you’re going to take down Ganondorf and his legions.
Escaping through the South
Going over the wide south fence will get you a great view of Death Mountain and its unsettling fiery cloud above.
Escaping through the West
Last and certainly least, jumping over the west fence will get you a view of… the ruins behind Lon Lon Ranch. Riveting stuff, but those are all the different exit and cinematics!
