Setting out for an adventure without the trusty horse Epona by your side in Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake is like seeing Geralt without Roach in The Witcher 3. Getting Epona sets a sweet quest and music session, where you must learn a specific musical note to call Epona to your location. The quest also has very interesting moments, a sweet, memorable song, and a challenging race at the end to complete the whole package.
This guide is about how to obtain Epona in Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake. I will provide a complete walkthrough of the locations, characters, and the music notes that you will need to play to get Epona by your side as a trusty partner.
Getting Epona in Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake
You must learn Epona’s Song as a Child Link and then win two horse races against Ingo as an Adult Link to obtain the Epona horse in Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake.
Make your way to Lon Lon Ranch, found in the center of Hyrule Field as Child Link. Head down the ranch and talk to the singing girl, Malon, in the field. She will thank you for finding her papa and introduce you to Epona. Unlike Malon, Epona is a bit shy and scared of Link; you will see Epona moving away from Link to distance.
Malon will bring up Epona being shy, but she will also refer to a song she always plays to calm down Epona. Here, show Malon the Ocarina instrument to start the music session. Here, Malon will start humming the song; you must play it through the Ocarina.
Playing Epona’s Song
The note here is simple: it’s X > Y > A, four times in two sheets. You must press X, then Y, then A repeatedly four times to complete the first music session. Once the song is over, Epona will start running around you; she will not be shy anymore and will start headbutting Link from behind. Malon will talk about letting Link ride Epona once she gets bigger. You don’t have to remember the notes; the entire song will be saved as “Epona’s Song ” on the Ocarina. Just like Saria’s Song, Link will remember Epona’s Song so we can always play it as much as we like in the game.
Getting Epona
Head to the Ingo Ranch (Previously known as Lon Lon Ranch) as an Adult Link. The name got changed by being under Ganondorf’s rule. Talk to Ingo at the gate and choose the option “I’ll Ride” to get started in exchange for 20 Rupees. Ingo will now watch over you, as you are allowed to ride any horses you see in the area.
We have our eyes set on Epona, so take out the Ocarina and play “Epona’s Song“, marked with the horse icon in the menu. Once you stop playing, Epona will get excited and start running at you. This will surprise Ingo, as he always saw Epona throwing away people who wanted to ride her. The special song privilege made Link the only one who can ride Epona without fear of being thrown off.
Winning the Race
Now that you’re on the Epona, you can ride her around and start jumping over the hurdles on the ranch as much as you like. Once you get the hang of horse riding, talk to Ingo sitting at the entrance. He will challenge you to do a lap around the track; the loser pays the winner 20 Rupees. Accept the challenge and win the race to get 20 Rupees out of Ingo.
Once you win the race, Ingo will not take the loss lightly and will put up one final challenge for Link. Which, you guessed it, is another race around the track, but this time if Link manages to get the win, he will keep Epona. Now, start the second race around the track and beat Ingo to make him hand over the rights to Epona to Link.
He will keep his word and hand over Epona, but he will lock the gates to the ranch, trapping you inside. Now, just move to the left and jump over the wooden barricade with Epoch to leave the ranch. Now you have Ingo’s 20 Rupees and Epona the horse, a win-win in my book.
