Palia Mounts Guide: Horses, Riding & Breeding
Getting your first horse (free)
Your starter mount, the Dawnspur, costs nothing. Travel to the Royal Highlands — take the boat from De Mer Docks — and complete Hassian's quest "Before the Dawn": free the amber-trapped horse with your pickaxe, then feed it Dawnspur Lilies. No riding license is required for this one.
Mounts are not pay-to-win — the free Dawnspur rides exactly like the premium breeds. Paid options are cosmetic variants.
The breeds
- Dawnspur — the default horse, earned free from Hassian's quest.
- Phoenixfire Dawnspur — a flame-styled variant; its riding license costs 2,550 Palia Coins (the premium currency).
- Akwinduu Thoroughbred — an Arabian-inspired breed offered through Supporter Packs.
- Riffroc — a bird-like, non-horse mount added in the Sunkissed Summer update; it doubles as a ranch animal and is unlocked through Nai'o's two-part questline at Ranching Level 10.
A further breed, the Valhäst, is upcoming rather than released — its coat was chosen by a community vote during an in-game event.
Riding
Horses move through progressive gaits — walk, trot, canter, gallop — with a short sprint burst on top. Top speed drains a stamina bar, which you refill by riding through Flow Sparks, the golden orbs scattered along roads. You can also switch between manual, automatic and hybrid camera modes.
- You can't ride inside village centers, underground, or in private interiors.
- Horses live at the barn on your housing plot; summon your active mount from the tool wheel's saddle slot, which mounts you automatically.
Breeding
Breeding is the heart of the mount system. Foals inherit a blend of their parents' speed, stamina and handling, along with cosmetic effects, and special treats let you steer which traits and coats carry over. You can't crossbreed across different breed types, so plan pairings within a breed.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a mount in Palia?
Complete Hassian's quest "Before the Dawn" in the Royal Highlands (reach it by boat from De Mer Docks). It rewards the Dawnspur horse for free — no license or payment needed.
Do mounts cost real money in Palia?
No. Every player can earn the free Dawnspur. Premium breeds like the Phoenixfire Dawnspur (2,550 Palia Coins) or the Akwinduu Thoroughbred from Supporter Packs are optional cosmetic variants that ride the same.
How does horse stamina work?
Riding at top speed drains a stamina bar. You refill it by riding through Flow Sparks — the golden orbs found along roads — so chaining them lets you keep galloping.
Can you breed horses in Palia?
Yes. Foals inherit a mix of their parents' speed, stamina, handling and cosmetic effects, and treats let you influence which traits and coats pass on. You can't crossbreed different breed types.
Where can't I ride my mount?
Mounts are disabled in village centers, underground areas, and private interior spaces. Everywhere else in the open world is fair game.