Where Winds Meet has a massive open world, and walking everywhere gets old fast. Mountains, forests, bandit camps, and hostile creatures are scattered across the map, and trying to cross it all on foot turns every trip into an endurance test.
The good news is you can get a horse very early—within minutes of starting, if you’re willing to bend your morals a little. Here’s every method for getting a mount, from the quick and dirty approach to the more respectable options.
The Fastest Way: Steal a Horse
Let’s be honest—this is how most players get their first mount. It’s free, it’s instant, and it works the moment you spot an NPC on horseback.
Here’s how to do it:
- Find any NPC riding a horse (they’re common in towns and along roads)
- Walk close to the horse until the “Snatch Horse” prompt appears
- Press F to steal the mount
- Immediately ride away before the now-hostile NPC catches up
The NPC will turn aggressive and try to attack you, but once you’re mounted, you can just gallop off. They won’t chase you far.
This trick works on any mounted NPC in the game. Some areas have groups of riders, making it easy to grab a horse within your first few minutes of exploring. Not the most honorable approach, but Where Winds Meet doesn’t penalize you for it beyond the brief hostility.
Capturing a Wild Horse
If you’d rather earn your mount the old-fashioned way, you can tame wild horses found in the world. This method is harder and takes more patience, but it feels more satisfying than theft.
Wild horses are rare spawns, so finding one requires some exploration. When you do spot one:
- Approach slowly from behind (they’ll bolt if you rush)
- Wait for the “Capture Horse” prompt to appear
- Interact to start the taming minigame
The minigame requires you to quickly match directional inputs as icons flash on screen. It’s a reaction test, and the timing is tight. Succeed, and the horse joins your collection permanently. Fail, and it runs off—you’ll have to find another one.
If your reflexes aren’t the sharpest, don’t worry. Stealing from NPCs is always available as a backup, and the game doesn’t treat captured horses as superior to stolen ones.
Buying a Horse from the Shop
For players who want a specific mount without the hassle of hunting or stealing, the shop offers direct purchases.
To browse available mounts:
- Open the Main Menu
- Select “Shop”
- Go to the “Appearance” tab
- Click the Horse icon
You’ll find various horses and even unique creature mounts here. Some cost in-game currency, while others require real money. Premium mounts often have distinct appearances but function the same as free ones—they’re cosmetic investments, not gameplay advantages.
Once you own a mount, summon it anytime by pressing 6 on your keyboard.
Managing Your Mount Collection
All your horses—stolen, captured, or purchased—are stored in one place. Open the Appearance menu and navigate to the Mount tab to see everything you own.
The game organizes mounts into two categories:
Exploration Rewards – Horses obtained by stealing from NPCs or capturing in the wild. These are your free options and perfectly functional for getting around.
Ingenious – Premium mounts from the shop or obtained through draws. These tend to have fancier designs but don’t offer mechanical benefits over standard horses.
You can switch between mounts freely, so feel free to collect as many as you want.
Quick Tips for New Riders
Once you have a horse, traveling becomes dramatically faster. A few things worth knowing:
- Summoning: Press 6 to call your horse. It appears nearby almost instantly.
- Combat: You can fight from horseback, which is useful for hit-and-run tactics against groups of enemies.
- Stamina: Horses have stamina that drains while sprinting. Let it recover during longer trips.
- Dismounting: You’ll automatically dismount when entering certain areas or interacting with NPCs.
If you’re still getting oriented in the early game, having a horse makes it much easier to explore efficiently. You can cover ground faster for activities like gathering exploration points or hunting down Oddities for the Melodies of Peace system.
More Where Winds Meet Guides
Still setting up your character? These will help:
- Which Guidance Mode and Difficulty Should You Choose?
- Tips and Tricks for Beginners
- Best Starting Weapons Guide
- How to Fly
- How to Change Appearance and Hairstyle
For combat and progression:
- How to Get More Healing Charges
- How to Break Through Level Caps
- How to Beat Qianye Boss
- Gacha System Explained
Where Winds Meet is available on Steam, PlayStation, and mobile platforms. Visit the official website for more information.
