The horse you choose in Ghost of Yotei doesn’t change how the game plays. All three options handle the same and share identical speed and movement. The decision is purely about aesthetics and role-play, but it’s final: once you pick a color and a name, you’ll keep them for the rest of your run.

Unlock the horse selection (Old Trails quest)

You’ll make your choice during the early tale “Old Trails.” Here’s the flow many players will hit:

  • Return to Atsu’s childhood home in the Yotei Grasslands by Lake Shikotsu to trigger “Old Trails.” You can hold the Touch Pad to enter a brief playable flashback, then exit to set the tale.
  • Track the tale to the Old Stables in the southeast of Shikotsu Woods. You may first encounter bandits roughing up a stray horse near Matsumae Crossing; stopping them leads the animal to the same stables.
  • Clear Saito’s outlaws, follow the settler into the field, and watch the memory sequence. Climb the nearby cliff and whistle with Left on the D-Pad.
  • Back in the present, you’ll choose a horse and then a name. Confirming the name awards the “Naming a Friend” bronze trophy.

Tip: You can revisit the Old Stables later to see the horses you didn’t pick and check in on them, but you won’t be able to swap.

Horse colors and names (no stat differences)

Choice Variants Gameplay effect
Horse color White, Black, Mottled gray (dapple) No stat or handling differences
Horse name Shimaki (“Tornado”), Mochizuki (“Full Moon”), Homura (“Flame”) Cosmetic only; Atsu calls the chosen name in dialogue

What you can and can’t change later

  • You cannot change horses after you select one during Old Trails.
  • You cannot rename the horse later in the playthrough.
  • The horse is invincible in normal play, so you won’t lose it to combat or terrain.
  • You can summon it anywhere with Left on the D-Pad; it spawns behind you.

How to decide

  • Pick the color you like looking at most. You’ll see it in every ride, cutscene, and photo mode moment.
  • Think about contrast with your usual armor dyes and the biome you’re in most. Dark tack against snowy fields or a pale coat in dense forests can make captures pop.
  • Choose a name that fits your vibe. Atsu will use it in spoken lines throughout the journey.

There’s no “best” horse in Ghost of Yotei. Make a choice you’ll enjoy living with—color for the look, name for the flavor—and ride on.