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 various Zelda games. She is most commonly known as Link's steed. Epona is also 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 a wild, untameable horse at Lon Lon Ranch whom only Malon could ride. Epona also grew close to Link in their childhood years after Link learned how to play Epona's Song. Seven years later Link used Epona in a horse race with Ingo, whom had taken over the ranch. Ingo had been planning to give the horse to Ganondorf, but Ingo lost the bet and was forced to let Link keep Epona. Link used Epona to shorten long travel across Hyrule Field. She came calling whenever Link played Epona's Song on his ocarina.

At the beginning of Majora's Mask, Link and Epona were shown as children again (due to the time-travelling at the end of the previous game), searching the Lost Woods for Link's missing friend. The Skull Kid kidnapped Epona and rode her to Termina until Epona ran away. She found refuse in 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 and continue journeying through the Lost Woods.

The Hero of Ordon's Horse

In Twilight Princess, 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.

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 appears as the default name, however.
• Epona is not the only horse a Link has ridden; Link is seen on an unidentified 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.