Are There Horses in Farming Simulator 22? An In-Depth Expert Guide
Horses make their long-awaited debut in Farming Simulator 22! This magnificent animal adds a whole new dimension to the iconic farming franchise. As an FS22 expert, I‘m thrilled to provide this comprehensive guide to integrating horses into your farm. Let‘s saddle up!
An Exciting New Addition
Farming Simulator 22 allows players to own, care for and ride horses for the first time in the series. I‘ve ridden horses all my life, so this new feature brings me right back to my childhood on the farm!
Horses set FS22 apart from previous entries by adding new realism, engaging gameplay and strong emotional connections with the animals. However, horses require more complex care than many FS veterans are used to. This guide will break down everything you need to know about successfully keeping horses on your farm.
Acquiring Your Equine Companions
You can purchase horses for $800 each ($500 for the horse, $300 delivery fee) at the animal dealer. Unlike other livestock, horses can‘t reproduce so you need to buy each one individually. I recommend starting with just 1-2 horses as you learn the ropes of proper care.
Transporting them yourself in a trailer will save the delivery fee, but have an enclosure ready before pickup! Horses will follow you slowly when hitched to your vehicle.
Food, Water and Housing Essentials
Horses have two main dietary needs – a base mix of oats and sorghum, and hay.
- Base food should be kept stocked in their feeding trough at all times.
- Hay can be place directly on the ground of their enclosure.
Provide 4 portions of each per day. Horses drink ~30 liters of water daily, so ensure their trough stays full.
You‘ll need to construct a sheltered stable or small pasture with a water trough using the farm building tools. Horses do well in groups, so build enough space for multiple animals. Expect to invest $20,000 or more for a decent stable.
Daily Care and Bonding with Your Horse
Caring for horses takes consistent daily effort. Groom them regularly to keep their cleanliness stat high. Inspect for health issues and call the vet if needed.
Make sure they have ample opportunity to exercise – riding them around your farm is ideal. You‘ll forge a real connection with your horses through regular riding and care time. I love seeing their excitement when it‘s time for an afternoon trail ride!
Suggested Daily Horse Care Schedule
| 7 AM | Feed oats and hay |
| 9 AM | Groom and inspect health |
| 12 PM | Exercise via riding |
| 3 PM | Feed oats and hay |
| 5 PM | Groom and inspect health |
| 7 PM | Feed oats and hay |
The Joy of Riding Your Trusty Steed
Riding horses around your farm and beyond is a liberating experience. Take in the beautiful countryside scenery from horseback as you tend to daily tasks. Take it slow as you guide your noble steed through the fields and woods.
Spend skill points to unlock advanced riding maneuvers like jumps and dressage moves. Horses have distinct personalities, just like real life. Bond with your horses by riding them often and keeping them healthy. Give them an apple or carrot to see their happiness!
Using Horses for Farm Work and Transport
In addition to riding for pleasure, horses can transport goods and pull certain equipment around your farm. Their speed and agility exceeds tractors in many situations. Hitch tools like log grapples directly to your horse to harvest timber.
Strapping items like seed pallets to the saddle frees up your tractor for other jobs. While horses can‘t fully replace heavy machinery, they complement tractors nicely. I enjoy using my horse to quickly move between fields harvesting crops. The versatility is outstanding!
Competing in Equestrian Events
A major highlight of FS22‘s horses is participating in organized equestrian competitions like show jumping events. Put your riding skills to the test before a live audience!
Train your horses often to boost their fitness stat for optimal performance. Complete courses cleanly and quickly to place highly. It‘s an adrenaline rush guiding your horse around obstacles while the crowd watches. Winning ribbons earns you prestige and big prize money!
Horse Breeding, Genetics and Variations
Unfortunately horse breeding isn‘t possible in the base FS22 game. But it‘s been added by popular mods! Install the Horse Extension mod to enable mating horses and witnessing new foals being born.
Various coat colors are also included like chestnut, bay, piebald, roan, palomino and more. Use genetically superior horses for breeding to guarantee healthy offspring. New manes, tails and sock markings help differentiate your herd. It‘s magical watching your foal stand on wobbly legs for the first time.
Costs and Profitability of Owning Horses
Now that we‘ve covered the gameplay mechanics of horses in FS22, let‘s analyze the economics of adding them to your farm from a profitability standpoint.
- Average Annual Cost Per Horse
| Stabling | $8,000 |
|---|---|
| Hay | $4,500 |
| Oats & Sorghum Mix | $1,200 |
| Grooming Supplies | $250 |
| Vet Bills | $500 |
| Total | $14,450 |
- On average, a healthy adult horse can be sold for $1,500 at the trader. But profits are realized much slower than livestock like cows that continually produce milk and calves.
- Horses can potentially earn larger sums by winning big at equestrian events. But you‘ll need to invest heavily in training and top-tier horses.
- Utilizing horses for transportation and pulling equipment has value, but tough to quantify against a tractor.
Based on these numbers, horses are a long-term lifestyle investment rather than a quick moneymaker. Their daily care and slow profits require major dedication. But I‘ve found balancing horses with high earning livestock like chickens can make for an extremely rewarding playthrough. That cute new foal makes it all worthwhile!
Integrating Horses Efficiently on Your Farm
For players focused heavily on profitability and efficiency, horses may seem like an unnecessary burden. So here are some tips from my experience on integrating horses smartly into productive farms:
- Start small – add just 1-2 horses initially to gauge the workload. Scale up slowly as you get systems in place.
- Construct stables centrally near your main farm hub to easily fit care into existing routines.
- Set up handy supply caches of food, medicine and tools to save travel time.
- Schedule horse care before and after high intensity farming work to avoid wasting energy.
- Let your horses freely graze grass in unused fields to reduce hay costs. They‘ll happily munch away!
- Participate in a few key equestrian events annually for profit rather than overdoing a packed competition schedule.
- Consider work horses primarily for transport versus equipment hauling.
- Invest training time with care – skilled riders can accomplish more from horseback.
Enjoying Thrill of The Ride
Well, that covers the full array of important factors to consider about horses in Farming Simulator 22! They represent a major shift in traditional FS gameplay so aren‘t for everyone. But I encourage you to approach horses with an open mind if you enjoy roleplaying and connecting with your virtual animals.
Horses create priceless memories as you ride the open plains together. Their companionship keeps the daily farm grind fresh and fulfilling. I hope this guide presented helpful tips and insights to make your equestrian dreams a reality. Now get out there, bond with your horses and savor the thrill of the ride in Farming Simulator 22!
