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Ghost of Tsushima: Best Horse Choice? A Complete Guide (2024)

Last Updated: November 1, 2025

Jin Sakai riding his horse through the fields of Tsushima.

Early in your epic journey as Jin Sakai through the stunning landscapes of Sucker Punch Productions' *Ghost of Tsushima*, you'll face one of the most classic and personal choices in any open-world adventure: selecting your loyal steed. While you gain access to a mount fairly quickly to traverse the vast, war-torn island, the main story presents a pivotal moment where you must choose and name your permanent equine companion.

This decision has left many players wondering about the potential consequences. Does one horse have better stamina? Is another faster? This updated guide will walk you through the decision for both of your potential horses, ensuring you pick the perfect partner for your quest to save Tsushima.

The Warrior's Code: Your First Major Choice

The moment to choose your first horse arrives during "The Warrior's Code," a main story quest that occurs in Act 1, shortly after the game's prologue. After linking up with your ally Yuna, she will lead you to a Mongol-controlled stable where you must select a horse to aid in your escape.

The game frames this as a significant bond—the horse you select will be your primary companion for countless hours of exploration, dramatic charges into enemy territory, and quiet moments overlooking breathtaking vistas. The presentation is designed to make you feel the weight of the choice, as you form a connection with the animal that will carry you through the first part of your transformation from samurai to Ghost.

Meet Your Companion: The Horse and The Name

You are given a choice of three horses, distinguished by their coat color. After selecting one, you will also be prompted to choose a name for it.

The Horse Colors:

  • The White Steed: A pristine, almost ethereal-looking horse with a brilliant white coat. This horse suggests nobility and honor, a classic choice for a samurai hero. It stands out dramatically against the lush greens and muddy browns of the Tsushima landscape.
  • The Dappled Grey: A sturdy and reliable-looking horse with a mottled grey and black coat. This option feels like a resilient workhorse, a dependable companion ready for the long and arduous journey ahead. It suggests a balance of strength and endurance.
  • The Black Stallion: A sleek, powerful horse with a deep black coat that shines in the sunlight. This choice exudes an air of mystery and intensity, perfectly matching the darker, more stealthy path of the Ghost. It's the ideal mount for a warrior who strikes from the shadows.

The Horse Names:

After picking a color, Jin will suggest three names. Your choice here is also personal and determines what Jin calls out when you summon your mount.

  • Nobu (Trust): A name that reflects the deep bond and reliance you will place on your companion.
  • Sora (Sky): An elegant name that evokes freedom, speed, and the vast open world you will explore together.
  • Kage (Shadow): A name that perfectly complements the path of the Ghost, symbolizing stealth, speed, and the darkness you must embrace.

Does Your Horse Choice Actually Matter? The Definitive Answer

Here is the crucial piece of information every player wants to know: does the horse you choose have any impact on gameplay stats?

The definitive answer is no. The choice of horse color and name is purely cosmetic and for role-playing purposes.

Extensive player testing since the game's 2020 launch has confirmed that the core stats of all three horses are identical. The white horse is not faster than the black, and the dappled grey does not have more health. This design choice was intentional, ensuring no player is at a disadvantage for making an aesthetic decision. The real upgrades to your mount's capabilities come later through progression, such as acquiring saddlebags that allow you to carry more ammunition. These upgrades apply to any horse you choose.

A Bond Renewed: Choosing Your Second Horse (Major Spoilers Ahead)

Spoiler Warning: This section discusses a major, unavoidable plot point that occurs at the end of Act 2. Proceed with caution if you have not completed the main story quest "From the Darkness."

One of the most emotional moments in *Ghost of Tsushima* is the loss of your first, loyal horse. It’s a gut-wrenching scene that reinforces the brutality of the Mongol invasion and the personal cost of Jin's war.

Following this tragedy, at the start of Act 3, you will be prompted to choose a new horse to continue your journey. You will be presented with the two colors you did not select at the beginning of the game. This second choice often carries even more symbolic weight for players. Do you choose a horse that honors the memory of your first companion, or one that reflects the man Jin has become? Many players who are fully embracing their new identity choose the black horse and the name "Kage" at this point, signifying their complete transformation into the Ghost of Tsushima.

Note for Digital Deluxe/Director's Cut Owners: If you have the Digital Deluxe or Director's Cut edition of the game, you will also have a fourth horse color option: a handsome dark bay horse with a striking white mane and tail.

Our Recommendation: Choose Your Legend

With the knowledge that all choices are cosmetic, our recommendation is simple: pick the horse and name that you are most drawn to. Which combination best fits the version of Jin Sakai you are building? Are you a noble samurai charging into battle on a pure white steed named Nobu? Or a silent assassin melting into the darkness on a black stallion named Kage?

This is your story, and your horse is a key part of your character's identity. Spend a moment with each option, appreciate their unique appearance, and select the one that speaks to you. *Ghost of Tsushima* is a deeply immersive experience, and these choices are your opportunity to shape your personal legend. The best horse is the one you'll be happy to see every time you whistle for it to come to your side.