Epona

Link tending to Epona in Ocarina of Time.
Epona
Species	Horse
Hair color	White
Eye color	Blue
Debut	Ocarina of Time

Epona is a horse who has appeared in several The Legend of Zelda games, where she most commonly acts as Link's steed. Epona was introduced in Ocarina of Time to introduce horseriding gameplay to the series. Epona is further associated with Malon and Lon Lon Ranch in most of the games.

Background

The Hero of Time's Horse

In Ocarina of Time, Epona was initially shown as a filly at the same time that Link and Malon were children. Epona was initially standoffish and would only let Marlon near. Epona did grow to like Link after he learned how to play Epona's Song.

Adult Timeline

Over the next seven years, Epona grew into a wild and untameable horse. She would only let Malon ride her and never obeyed Ingo, whom had taken over the ranch and wanted to give the horse to Ganondorf. Once Link arrived, he could use Epona to race against Ingo, with Epona's ownership on the line. Link won the race, and Ingo bitterly attempted to go back on his promise by sealing off the exits to the ranch. Link was still able to escape by having Epona leap a fence. Epona was primarily used to help Link navigate across Hyrule Field, and she was summoned by playing Epona's Song on Link's ocarina.

After Link saved Hyrule, Epona was seemingly returned to Lon Lon Ranch.

=Child Timeline

At the end of Ocarina of Time, Link was sent back to his childhood years, which started a new timeline. Soon afterwards, Link borrowed the young Epona from Lon Lon Ranch when he set off on his personal journey to find Navi. In the beginning of Majora's Mask, the Skull Kid kidnapped Epona and tried to ride her to Termina until she ran away. She found refuge at Romani Ranch with Romani and Cremia, the Terminian counterparts of her former owner Malon. Epona was later found by Link, and she continued to give him rides across Termina until they fulfilled their adventure there. They then continued journeying through the Lost Woods.

The Hero of Ordon's Horse

In Twilight Princess (set in the future of the child timeline), Link owned Epona from the beginning, and they lived in Ordon Village. Link used Epona to herd animals for Fado at the Ordon Ranch. Illia was particularly fond of Epona and became angry whenever Epona was injured after Link rode him.

Epona was scared off when Ordon was attacked by Bulblins, but she was reunited with Link at Kakariko Village. Link could summon Epona by humming Epona's Song through a special grass whistle- and later through a horse call made by Illia. Epona truly came in handy this time, as Link engaged in several horseback battles from Epona's back throughout the game. Additionally, Link could speak to Epona in wolf form. She was the only one to recognize that the wolf was Link, and urged him to find a way to restore himself to normal.

Other Games

Epona also appears in The Minish Cap, the only game so far in which Link does not ride her. In this game Malon uses Epona to carry her load of milk to Hyrule Castle Town. When he's Minish size, Link can even talk to Epona and fuse Kinstones with her. Due to the game's chronological placement, this is actually the first known incarnation of a horse named Epona.

Trivia

• Epona was the name of a goddess of Celtic origins; in Roman mythology she was the goddess of horses, donkeys, and mules.
• In Twilight Princess, it is possible to change Epona's name in the same way that Link's name is chosen in every game. Epona still appears as the default name.
• Other games have featured unidentified horses which may or may not be Epona. Link is seen riding a small horse in the opening of the "Oracle" games. The four Links also ride a set of four horses from Lon Lon Ranch in Four Swords Adventures.