How to get free horse in ESO?

Skip the grind—here’s the secret to scoring mounts for zero gold.

Let’s cut through the fantasy economics: Horses in The Elder Scrolls Online cost more than a dragon’s hoard. Want a basic mare? That’ll be 10,000 gold. A fancy armored steed? Try 40,000+. Meanwhile, slaying dragons or clearing dungeons barely pays enough to cover repair bills. But what if I told you there’s a free horse waiting in Riften? And no, this isn’t a mod or exploit—just smart NPC manipulation.

Why ESO Horses Are a Gold Sink

• Base Cost: 10,000 gold for the cheapest horse.

• Upgraded Mounts: 42,000+ gold for speed/stamina boosts.

• Dragon Slaying Pays Peanuts: Killing a dragon nets ~1,000 gold.

• Reality Check: After buying gear, potions, and bag upgrades, most players are broke.

Step-by-Step: Get 2 Free Horses in 10 Minutes

What You’ll Need:

• A fast-travel wayshrine unlocked.

• Basic fistfighting skills (no weapons allowed).

1. Go to Riften (Yes, the Sneak Thief City)

• Find any stable in Tamriel (e.g., Wayrest or Mournhold).

• Talk to the stablemaster and pay 20 gold to travel to Riften. Yes, 20 gold—cheaper than a bread loaf.

2. Find the “Generous Uncle” NPC

• Head to Riften Stables (east side of the city).

• Look for an NPC named Uncle Sweet-Talk (yes, really). He’s the guy pacing near the horses, muttering about bets.

3. Challenge Him to a Fistfight

• Talk to him and choose: “I heard you’re giving away horses.”

• He’ll challenge you to a bare-knuckle brawl (no weapons allowed).

• Rules:

  • If you win → 2 free horses.

  • If you lose → Reload the game (or cry).

4. Knock Him Out (It’s Easier Than It Sounds)

• Spam light attacks (left-click/M1).

• Block his telegraphed heavy hits (right-click).

• Pro Tip: Circle-strafe to avoid his punches. He’s got the reflexes of a sleepy troll.

5. Claim Your Horses

After winning, check your inventory. You’ll get 2 Horse Deeds:

• Bay Steed (default speed).

• Piebald Horse (slightly faster).

Register them at any stablemaster. Congrats—you’ve just saved 20,000+ gold!

But Wait… There’s a Catch

• No Upgrades: Free horses have base stats. Want +30% speed? Grind daily riding lessons for 180 days. Or…

• No Armor: These are “naked” horses. For flashy mounts, you’ll still need gold.

“I Want a Cool Mount NOW” – The Fast-Track

If fistfighting uncles isn’t your vibe, here’s the alternative:

• Farm Gold: Grind dolmens, sell crafted gear, or flip guild trader items.

• Buy ESO Gold: Skip the grind and grab cheap ESO gold from SSEGOLD.

• Buy Crown Store Mounts: Unicorn? Bear? Robot camel? Your credit card is the limit.

Final Tip

Use your free horses for daily writs and map clears. Save your gold for gear upgrades, bank slots, or that sweet, sweet fashion.