Breeding horses in Minecraft allows you to expand your stable and create unique steeds with desirable traits. Whether you need a backup horse for your adventures or want to build a thriving horse ranch, this guide will provide you with the essential knowledge and steps to successfully breed horses in Minecraft.
A heard of horses in minecraft. Mojang
Locating and Taming Horses
Before you can start breeding, you’ll need to locate and tame two adult horses. Horses typically spawn in plains and savanna biomes in herds of two to six. These biomes are characterized by flat, grassy terrain with scattered trees. Horses come in various colors, including white, chestnut, black, gray, brown, and flaxen chestnut, and may have different markings. Finding a specific color might require some exploration. Taming a horse involves repeatedly attempting to mount it until it accepts you as its rider. For a detailed guide on taming horses, refer to our dedicated horse taming tutorial.
The Breeding Process
Once you have two tamed horses, follow these steps to breed them:
Proximity and Feeding
Ensure the two horses are within eight blocks of each other. Next, feed them either golden apples or golden carrots. You’ll know they’re ready to breed when hearts appear above their heads.
Breeding and Cooldown
After both horses have hearts above their heads, they will turn and face each other. Shortly after, the hearts will disappear, and a foal will appear. Keep in mind that there’s a five-minute cooldown period before the same two horses can breed again. This cooldown applies even if you attempt to breed them with different partners.
A baby horse in minecraft. Mojang
Foal Growth and Characteristics
Foals mature into adult horses within 20 minutes. You’ll need to tame the new horse, just like its parents, before you can ride it.
The foal’s appearance and stats are determined by its parents. There’s a 44.44% chance the foal will inherit the coat color of one of its parents and an 11.11% chance it will have a random color. The foal’s stats, such as health, movement speed, and jump strength, are calculated by averaging the parents’ stats with a randomly generated third set of stats.
Conclusion
Breeding horses in Minecraft is a straightforward process once you understand the necessary steps. By following this guide, you can create your own unique herd of horses tailored to your specific needs and preferences, whether it’s for adventuring, transportation, or simply populating your Minecraft world.
