Ark Survival Evolved introduces survivors to an expansive prehistoric landscape filled with versatile creatures capable of altering your resource management and travel efficiency. Among these unique beasts, the Equus stands out as an exceptional early-game companion that functions as a swift mount and a mobile crafting station. Securing this reliable creature requires patience and a solid understanding of passive taming mechanics, as traditional knockout methods will fail.
Gathering the Ideal Taming Resources
Before approaching a wild Equus, you must gather the preferred food supplies to ensure a smooth taming process. The most effective option available is Rockarrots, which significantly accelerates the process compared to standard berries. If you do not have access to crops, utilizing base-level Troodon Kibble can also provide excellent results during the interaction.
Placing your chosen food source into the far-right slot of your hotbar is mandatory before attempting to interact with the animal. Having extra supplies on hand is highly recommended because letting the feeding timer reset will severely penalize your progress. Proper inventory preparation reduces the risk of the horse running away into dangerous territory during the trial.
Approaching and Mounting the Equus
Locating an Equus requires searching open grasslands and forest borders where these skittish animals tend to roam in small groups. Because they are highly sensitive to nearby movement, you must crouch and approach them slowly from behind to avoid startling them. Getting noticed will cause the horse to sprint away blindly, often leading it straight into local predators.
Once you are close enough without triggering a panic, press the prompt to feed the creature your equipped item. Immediately after the initial feeding, you must press the action button again to mount the wild horse. This action initiates the riding phase, which shifts the challenge from stealth to precise mechanical reflexes.
Mastering the Riding and Feeding Mini-Game
While riding the bucking animal, you lose direct control over its movement as it bolts across the wilderness. You must watch the creature's animations closely and wait for it to kick its hind legs upward in an attempt to dislodge you. The moment the horse bucks, a prompt will appear on your screen requiring an immediate food offering.
Pressing the use button quickly feeds the creature, calming it down temporarily and increasing your taming percentage. Missing the precise window or reacting too late will cause the animal to throw you off its back violently. If you are dismounted, the horse will flee, and your accumulated progress will drop rapidly over time.
Utilizing the Equus for Wilderness Survival
Successfully completing the sequence rewards you with a loyal companion that requires no saddle for standard riding. The Equus excels at long-distance travel due to its high stamina pool and ability to execute a powerful hind kick that delivers heavy torpor to enemies. This mechanical advantage allows survivors to knock out smaller targets efficiently without wasting expensive ammunition.
Additionally, equipping the specialized Equus saddle transforms your mount into a mobile mortar and pestle. This unique feature allows you to craft narcotics, stimulant compounds, and specialized lassos while moving through the environment. Balancing these practical utilities makes the horse an indispensable asset for expanding your tribe's operational capabilities.
