How to Get a Horse in Ghost of Yōtei — Which One to Pick (Hint: It’s Just Cosmetic)
Picking a horse in Ghost of Yōtei is purely a cosmetic choice, and you get a trophy either way — so don’t stress. The option is tucked behind an optional, somewhat missable side quest called “Old Trails”. If you never do it, your starter horse stays with you and the main game is perfectly completable.
How to get a horse in Ghost of Yōtei’s “Old Trails” quest
First, you must trigger the optional memory sequence at Atsu’s old home. Specifically, when Atsu tells Jubei she’s meeting their father at the stables, exit the memory. Then a stylized horse card appears on-screen and a new unnamed point of interest shows up on the map to the west of Atsu’s home. In short, that card and marker start the hunt.
From there, head west. Cross the Sarubetsu River, and before you reach the Shikotsu River you’ll find the stables — it looks like a house on the edge of a field. Pick up the wanted poster near the entry if you want to read it. Next, make your way into the field; Atsu will comment on a horse running wild, then the stable manager shows up. After that, a group of Saito’s men will interrupt. Defeat them, return to the settler, and another memory will play. After that memory ends, you can choose your horse.
What horse should you pick in Ghost of Yōtei?
Once the memory finishes, you get these options: your original nameless white steed, a black horse, or a dappled horse. Additionally, if you own the Deluxe Edition, a brown horse option is available. There are three preset name choices shown as flavor text: Shimaki (Tornado), Mochizuki (Full Moon), and Homura (Flame). Choosing any name earns the “Naming a Friend” trophy.
Importantly, there are **no hidden performance stats** tied to the horses (based on what’s been found so far). In other words, pick the look you like. However, note that you cannot swap horses later. On the plus side, you can change saddle and blanket colors at multiple points in the game.
Also, you can press R2 near each horse to hear Atsu’s opinion if you want a little roleplay. Despite a settler’s warning about giving the old white horse a rest, the white horse won’t die from exhaustion — it’s just flavor. Finally, after you name the horse the quest registers as “Old Trails”, and while you’re still in the area consider visiting the hot spring from Atsu’s memory (it raises max health) and picking up the Charm of Bountiful Harvest (it increases the amount of materials gathered).
