How to get a Free Horse in Crimson Desert
Looking for a free horse in Crimson Desert? You don’t need to spend silver at the stables. There are multiple ways to get a horse early in the game, including taming wild mounts, taking them from bandits, or even stealing them if you’re willing to take the risk. This guide explains how to get a free horse in Crimson Desert, how horse ownership works, and which method is the fastest for early-game progression.
How Horse Ownership Works in Crimson Desert
Before you start hunting for a mount, it’s important to understand one key mechanic: riding a horse is not the same as owning it. A horse only becomes permanently yours after you register it at a stable. This means any horse you capture or steal must be taken to a stable before it is added to your collection. Until then, it’s just a temporary mount.
How to Get a Free Horse in Crimson Desert
There are three main ways to get a free horse early in Crimson Desert, and each method suits a different playstyle. Whether you prefer exploration, combat, or stealth, you can secure a mount without spending any silver.
How to Tame a Wild Horse in Crimson Desert
The safest and most straightforward way to get a free horse is by taming one in the wild. Head east of Hernand Castle, where wild horses are known to spawn. Approach the horse carefully and be ready to chase it if it runs. Make sure your weapon is sheathed before attempting to mount it. Once close enough, hold LB and press X on Xbox or Square on PlayStation to begin the taming process. After taming, take the horse to a stable and register it to make it permanently yours. This method costs nothing, but it can take time depending on how easily you find a horse and complete the taming sequence.
How to Steal a Horse from Bandit Camps in Crimson Desert
If you’re looking for a faster and more reliable option, bandit camps are a great alternative. These can be found north and northeast of Hernand Castle, and many of them have horses nearby. In most cases, you can simply mount a bandit horse and ride away. If enemies engage you, sheath your weapon before escaping. If needed, use a mask to avoid detection while stealing the horse. One major advantage of this method is that stealing from bandits does not appear to carry the same penalties as stealing from civilians. This makes it one of the best early-game strategies for getting a better mount quickly. As always, don’t forget to register the horse at a stable afterward.
Steal a Horse from a Stable
The quickest method is also the riskiest: stealing a horse directly from a populated stable. Locations like the stables near Hernand Castle often have multiple horses available. To pull this off, equip a mask, take the horse, and immediately leave the alert zone. Once things calm down, return to the stable and register the horse as your own. Depending on your reputation, NPCs may react less aggressively, making this method easier than expected. While risky, this is arguably the fastest way to build up a strong mount early in the game.
Best Early-Game Horse Tip
- Crimson Desert Call Horse: If you want to call / summon your horse press H on Keyboard, or press Up on D-Pad.
- Crimson Desert Horse Sprint: Press SPACE repeatedly on keyboard, or A on Xbox / X on PlayStation, to make your horse sprint. Keep in mind that sprinting quickly drains your horse’s stamina, and it can become exhausted if overused. To improve performance, consider equipping horse gear that boosts stamina regeneration, allowing for faster regeneration and longer sprints.
- Leveling Up Horse: Horses in Crimson Desert level up the more you use them, improving their speed, stamina, and overall performance. Because of this, it’s worth securing a good horse as early as possible. Instead of sticking with a basic mount, upgrade early and start investing time into a horse you plan to keep long-term. The sooner you do this, the more powerful your mount will become over time.
