How to Get Epona in Ocarina of Time: Song and Ingo's Race

Getting Epona takes two visits to Lon Lon Ranch, seven years apart. As a child you learn Epona’s Song from Malon. As an adult you play that song in Ingo’s corral, beat him in two horse races, and jump the fence when he locks the gate. It costs 60 Rupees if you win both races first try.

How do you learn Epona’s Song as a child?

1. Wake Talon at Hyrule Castle first. Malon’s father is asleep outside the castle, and waking him is part of getting in to see Zelda. After that the family is back at the ranch.
2. Go to Lon Lon Ranch in the daytime. It sits in the middle of Hyrule Field. Malon stands in the corral with a young horse, Epona, who runs when you get close.
3. Talk to Malon until she mentions her mother’s song. Take out the ocarina in front of her and she teaches you Epona’s Song.
4. Play it once for the foal. Epona walks up to you. From now on the song also makes any cow fill an empty bottle with Lon Lon Milk.

If you drew the Master Sword without learning it, put the sword back in the Temple of Time and do these steps as a child. The ocarina songs guide has the notes.

How do you win Epona from Ingo as an adult?

You can do this as soon as you are an adult.

1. Arrive in the daytime. Ingo now runs the ranch and stands at the corral gate. Play the Sun’s Song outside if it is night.
2. Pay 10 Rupees for a ride. He lets you into the corral for a short while.
3. Play Epona’s Song. Ignore the other horses. Epona comes to you; climb on.
4. Talk to Ingo while riding Epona. Ride up to the gate, target him and talk. He offers a race for 50 Rupees. If your ride runs out first, pay another 10 and try again.
5. Win the first race. It runs on the track around the corral.
6. Win the second race. Ingo bets Epona herself on a rematch and rides harder this time.
7. Jump out. He keeps his word but shuts the gate. Build up speed and jump the gate or one of the lower walls on either side.

What if you cannot beat Ingo?

• Use the carrots, but never the last one. Each tap of the whip uses a carrot for a burst of speed. Spend them down to one and let them grow back.
• Take the inside line. Ingo swings wide on the corners. Hug the fence and you gain a length on every turn.
• Burst at the start. He gets away a moment early, so whip straight off the line.
• Block him. Horses cannot pass through each other. Once you are ahead on the inside, he has to go around.
• You can simply retry. A loss costs only the 50-Rupee entry.

What can you do with Epona?

Call her with Epona’s Song anywhere in Hyrule Field, Lake Hylia, Gerudo Valley or Gerudo’s Fortress.

What should you read next?

• Side quests and minigames: Horseback Archery, Big Poes and the rest
• Biggoron’s Sword: the trade that Epona makes easy
• Pieces of Heart checklist: piece #35 is the archery prize
• Bottles: the Big Poe hunt ends with a bottle
• Walkthrough hub: the main story order