Minecraft, a game known for its boundless creativity, offers a wide array of activities. Among those, breeding horses is a popular and exciting activity. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of how to breed horses in Minecraft, and provide insights into the nuances of horse breeding.
Understanding Minecraft Horses
Before we delve into the specifics of how to breed horses in Minecraft, let’s understand more about these creatures. Horses are passive mobs in Minecraft that players can tame and ride. They are usually found in plain and savanna biomes in groups of 2-6. Horses come in various colors and patterns, adding a vibrant touch to your Minecraft world.
Horses aren’t just for aesthetics, though. They are among the fastest modes of transportation in the game, making them an essential asset to have, especially when you’re traversing vast landscapes.
Preparing for Horse Breeding: Taming Your Horses
Before you embark on the journey of horse breeding, you need to tame the horses first. You can’t breed wild horses in Minecraft; they need to be tamed.
To tame a horse, approach it with an empty hand and right-click to mount it. The horse might buck you off a few times initially. However, with each attempt, you’re increasing the horse’s “temper”. Once it crosses a certain threshold, the horse will be tamed.
To expedite the process, feed the horse apples, sugar, or wheat. Each feeding will increase the horse’s temper, making it easier to tame.
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Gathering the Necessary Items for Breeding
Once you have tamed two horses, you will need to gather the necessary items to start the breeding process. The key ingredients required are either Golden Apples or Golden Carrots. These items can be found in treasure chests, or you can manually craft them.
Crafting Golden Apples
To craft a Golden Apple, place an Apple in the center of a Crafting Table and surround it with eight Gold Ingots.
Crafting Golden Carrots
To craft a Golden Carrot, place a Carrot in the center of a Crafting Table, then surround it with eight Gold Nuggets.
Golden Carrots are typically easier and cheaper to craft, making them a preferred choice for many players.
The Process of Breeding Horses
With your tamed horses and Golden Apples or Carrots at the ready, you can now start the breeding process.
Step 1: Position your horses close together.
Step 2: Equip your Golden Apples or Carrots.
Step 3: Feed each of the horses. This will trigger “Love Mode”, represented by hearts floating over the horses’ heads.
Step 4: Once both horses are in Love Mode, they will breed and produce a baby horse, also known as a foal.
Golden Carrots are typically easier and cheaper to craft, making them a preferred choice for many players.
Understanding Foal Growth and Attributes
After the horses breed, a foal is born. The foal appears thinner than its adult counterparts. It grows gradually, but you can speed up the process by feeding it apples, hay, sugar, or wheat.
The foal’s appearance and attributes are influenced by its parents. Foals often inherit the colors and markings of one of their parents, but there’s also a chance for them to have completely random colors and markings.
When it comes to attributes like health, speed, and jumping strength, the foal’s stats are determined by averaging its parents’ stats with a third random set of stats. This gives players the opportunity to breed horses with specific attributes by choosing parents with desirable stats.
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Breeding Other Equine Creatures: Donkeys and Mules
Apart from horses, Minecraft also features donkeys and mules as rideable mobs. You can breed donkeys in the same way you breed horses.
However, mules are a bit different. To create a mule, you need to crossbreed a horse with a donkey. The process is the same as breeding two horses or two donkeys.
Mules are unique as they can be equipped with chests, allowing you to carry extra inventory. However, mules cannot breed with any other animals.
Horse Breeding FAQs
Let’s tackle some common queries related to horse breeding in Minecraft.
Which horse is the fastest in Minecraft?
While all horses have the potential to be fast, white horses typically have the fastest speed stats. However, other horses can jump higher. If speed is your priority, try breeding two white horses.
What is the rarest horse in Minecraft?
Skeleton horses are the rarest type of horse in Minecraft. They cannot be bred but can be tamed like regular horses after defeating the skeleton riding them.
How do I heal my horse in Minecraft?
You can restore a horse’s health using a Splash Potion of Healing or a Splash Potion of Regeneration. Alternatively, you can feed your horse apples, hay, sugar, or wheat.
How long does it take for a baby horse to grow into an adult in Minecraft?
A baby horse (foal) takes about 20 minutes to grow into an adult. You can speed up this process by feeding the foal apples, hay, sugar, or wheat.
Wrapping Up
Breeding horses in Minecraft is a fun and rewarding activity. It provides you with faster modes of transportation and can be a great way to get horses with specific attributes. Just remember, patience is key, as the process can take some time and random factors can influence the result.
Whether you’re a seasoned Minecraft player or a novice, breeding horses can enhance your gaming experience. So, get your Golden Apples or Carrots ready and start your horse breeding journey today! Happy horse breeding!