Introduction
One of the first things you’ll want in Where Winds Meet is a horse. The game’s open world is vast, and traveling on foot is painfully slow. Getting a horse early dramatically improves your gameplay experience, saving you hours of travel time.
This guide covers all methods to obtain a horse, with a focus on the fastest free option available from the very start of the game.
Why You Need a Horse Immediately
Before we dive into how to get one, let’s understand why a horse is essential:
Travel Speed
- On Foot: Slow, tedious for long distances
- With Horse: 2-3x faster travel speed
- Exploration: Reach distant areas much quicker
Quality of Life
- Reduces downtime between quests
- Makes resource gathering more efficient
- Enables faster response to world events
- Less backtracking frustration
Early Game Advantage
Getting a horse in your first hour of gameplay sets you up for success. You’ll complete quests faster, explore more efficiently, and level up quicker than players who delay getting a mount.
Bottom Line: Get a horse as soon as possible. It’s the single best early-game decision you can make.
Method 1: Stealing a Horse (Fastest & Free) ⭐
This is the fastest and most popular method for getting your first horse. It requires no gold, no quest completion, and can be done immediately after completing the tutorial.
How to Steal a Horse
Step 1: Find an NPC with a Horse
- NPCs riding horses can be found in most towns and roads
- Look for mounted NPCs in the starting area (Qinghe region)
- Common locations: Main roads, town entrances, marketplaces
Step 2: Approach the NPC
- Get close to the mounted NPC
- Wait for them to stop or slow down
- Position yourself next to the horse
Step 3: Steal the Horse
- Press the interaction button when prompted
- Your character will pull the NPC off their horse
- Quickly mount the horse before the NPC recovers
Step 4: Escape
- Ride away quickly to avoid confrontation
- The NPC may chase you briefly but will give up
- Congratulations! You now own a horse
Important Notes
Is Stealing Illegal?
- It’s a game mechanic, not a crime
- No long-term reputation penalties
- NPCs forget about it quickly
- No impact on story or quests
Which NPCs to Target?
- Any mounted NPC works
- Avoid guards (they’re harder to steal from)
- Look for civilians on horses
- Multiple attempts are allowed if you fail
Success Rate
- Very high if you approach correctly
- Position matters - come from the side
- Timing isn’t critical - take your time
Video Guide
If you’re having trouble, search YouTube for “Where Winds Meet steal horse” for visual demonstrations.
Method 2: Purchasing from Stables
If you prefer a more legitimate approach, horses can be purchased from stables.
Where to Buy Horses
Stable Locations:
- Qinghe Town - Starting area stable
- Kaifeng City - Main city stable
- Other Towns - Most settlements have stables
Horse Prices
| Horse Type | Price | Speed | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Horse | 5,000 Coins | Standard | All stables |
| Quality Horse | 15,000 Coins | +10% Speed | Major cities |
| Premium Horse | 50,000 Coins | +20% Speed | Special vendors |
How to Purchase
-
Locate the Stable
- Look for the horse icon on your map
- Stables are marked clearly in towns
-
Talk to the Stable Master
- Interact with the NPC running the stable
- Browse available horses
-
Select Your Horse
- Choose based on budget and preference
- Higher-priced horses are faster but not essential
-
Complete Purchase
- Confirm the transaction
- Horse is automatically added to your mount roster
Earning Coins for a Horse
If you want to purchase instead of steal:
Fast Coin-Earning Methods:
- Main Story Quests - Best coin rewards
- Side Quests - Decent payouts
- Daily Tasks - Consistent income
- Selling Materials - Vendor unwanted items
- Redemption Codes - Free coins (check our codes page!)
Time Investment:
- Basic Horse: ~2-3 hours of questing
- Quality Horse: ~6-8 hours of questing
- Premium Horse: ~15-20 hours of questing
Method 3: Quest Rewards
Some quests reward horses upon completion.
Quest-Based Horses
While specific quest details may vary, here’s what to look for:
Main Story Rewards
- Certain story milestones may grant a horse
- Usually happens after Chapter 2-3
- Not the fastest method but guaranteed
Side Quest Chains
- Some NPC questlines reward mounts
- Look for quests involving stables or horse traders
- Requires completing the full quest chain
Event Rewards
- Limited-time events occasionally offer horses
- Usually cosmetic variants
- Check event announcements regularly
Horse Types & Differences
Not all horses are created equal. Here’s what distinguishes them:
Performance Stats
Speed
- Basic: Standard travel speed
- Quality: 10% faster
- Premium: 20% faster
- Difference is noticeable but not game-changing
Stamina
- All horses have similar stamina pools
- Sprinting drains stamina
- Recovers when not sprinting
Handling
- Higher-tier horses turn better
- More responsive controls
- Better for combat movement
Cosmetic Differences
Appearances
- Different colors and patterns
- Unique saddles and tack
- Premium horses often look more impressive
Customization
- Horse armor can be equipped
- Cosmetic accessories available
- Purchased with Echo Jades (premium currency)
Which Horse Should You Get?
Our Recommendation:
- Start by stealing a Basic Horse - Free and immediate
- Upgrade later if you want - Not a priority
- Save coins for weapon upgrades instead
The speed difference between basic and premium horses is nice but not essential. Your first horse just needs to be faster than walking!
Horse Management & Care
Once you have a horse, here’s what you need to know:
Summoning Your Horse
How to Call Your Horse:
- Open the mount menu (check keybinds)
- Select your horse
- Press the summon button
- Horse appears next to you
Summoning Restrictions:
- Cannot summon indoors
- Cannot summon in combat
- Cannot summon in restricted areas
Horse Inventory
Accessing Saddlebags:
- Approach your horse
- Interact to open saddlebags
- Extra storage space for items
Capacity:
- Additional 20-30 inventory slots
- Great for gathering materials
- Shared across all your horses
Horse Maintenance
Good News: Horses in Where Winds Meet don’t require feeding, grooming, or maintenance. They’re always ready to ride!
Multiple Horses
Can you own multiple horses? Yes!
Collecting Horses
- Roster Limit: You can own multiple horses
- Switching Mounts: Change active horse from the mount menu
- Different Types: Collect various breeds and colors
Why Multiple Horses?
Practical Reasons:
- Different speeds for different situations
- Backup if one is on cooldown (rare)
- Collection for completionists
Cosmetic Reasons:
- Fashion! Match your outfit
- Show off rare breeds
- Personal preference
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I lose my horse?
No, horses are permanent once obtained. If you dismount in a dangerous area, you can always resummon it.
Do horses take damage?
Horses cannot be killed or permanently lost. They may become temporarily unavailable if dismissed during combat but will return when summoned.
Can other players steal my horse?
No, your horse is personal and cannot be taken by other players.
Do I need to feed my horse?
No maintenance required! Your horse is always ready to ride.
Can I use my horse in combat?
Yes, mounted combat is possible with certain weapons. However, some abilities require dismounting.
Are there legendary or rare horses?
Event horses and special purchases may offer unique appearances, but stat differences are minimal.
Can I rename my horse?
Yes, you can customize your horse’s name in the mount menu.
Do horses work in multiplayer?
Yes, all players can use their horses in both solo and multiplayer modes.
Advanced Horse Tips
Combat on Horseback
Mounted Combat Basics:
- Some weapons work better mounted (Spear, Rope Dart)
- Others require dismounting (most melee weapons)
- Practice to find what works for you
Hit-and-Run Tactics:
- Charge at enemies
- Attack while passing
- Ride away before they counter
- Repeat
Speed Running Routes
Optimizing Travel:
- Plan efficient quest routes
- Group nearby objectives
- Use fast travel when available
- Mount up immediately after fast travel
Horse Racing (If Available)
Some players organize informal races:
- Higher-tier horses have an advantage
- Skill and route knowledge matter too
- Fun social activity with guilds
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake #1: Waiting Too Long
Problem: Playing for hours without a horse
Solution: Get one in your first session - steal if necessary!
Mistake #2: Spending Too Much
Problem: Saving for an expensive horse early
Solution: Start with free/cheap, upgrade later
Mistake #3: Not Using Your Horse
Problem: Having a horse but forgetting to summon it
Solution: Make summoning a habit for any travel
Mistake #4: Dismissing for No Reason
Problem: Constantly dismissing and resummoning
Solution: Keep your horse out unless entering buildings
Comparison: All Methods
| Method | Cost | Time | Difficulty | Recommended |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stealing | Free | 5 min | Easy | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Basic Purchase | 5,000 | 2-3 hrs | Easy | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Quest Reward | Free | 5-10 hrs | Medium | ⭐⭐ |
| Premium Purchase | 50,000 | 15-20 hrs | Easy | ⭐ |
Winner: Stealing is objectively the best first-horse method. It’s free, instant, and requires no prerequisite progress.
Quick Reference Guide
TL;DR - How to Get Your First Horse in 5 Minutes
- Complete the tutorial
- Exit to the main world
- Find any NPC riding a horse
- Approach from the side
- Interact to pull them off
- Mount the horse and ride away
- Done! You now have a horse
That’s it! No quests, no grinding, no payment required.
Conclusion
Getting a horse in Where Winds Meet is easy, free, and should be one of your first priorities. Don’t overthink it - steal a horse from an NPC in your first hour and enjoy the dramatically improved travel speed.
You can always purchase fancier horses later when you have excess coins, but for now, any horse is better than no horse. The open world of 10th century China awaits - mount up and explore!
Next Steps:
- Check our Beginner’s Guide for more early game tips
- Learn weapon mechanics in our Weapon Guide
- Grab free rewards from our Active Codes page
Last Updated: November 17, 2025
Game Version: 1.0 (Global Launch)
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