How to Always Win the Horse Race in Harvest Moon: Hero of Leaf Valley
For new players, winning the horse race in Harvest Moon: Hero of Leaf Valley can seem difficult at first. But don’t worry—with enough practice and the right strategy, you can definitely win!
Many players struggle not because the race is too hard, but because they’re unfamiliar with the controls and race mechanics or simply unprepared.
Tips to Always Win the Horse Race
 |
| Horse race illustration (It's actually Innocent Life) |
To help you succeed, here are some essential dos and don'ts to keep in mind before entering the race:
1. Raise Your Horse’s Heart Level
The more hearts your horse has, the faster it will run, making a big difference during the race.
Raising your horse’s affection is simple. Feed, brush, talk to, and take your horse for a walk every day. You can also train for the horse race with Bob or Gwen to boost its stats faster.
2. Bring Support Items for the Race
Below are some power-up items and their effects. These can be used during the race to boost your horse’s performance:
- Carrot: Increases speed by 1.1x for 4 seconds.
- Mineral Carrot: Increases speed by 1.2x for 5 seconds.
- Pontata Root: Restores 30% of maximum stamina.
- Alfalfa Sprout: Restores 10% of maximum stamina.
- Mineral Alfalfa Sprout: Restores 15% of maximum stamina.
- Herb: Restores 20% of maximum stamina.
- Fodder: Restores 5% of maximum stamina.
The best item to bring depends on the type of race you're joining:
Short Race
This race focuses on speed. Bring Mineral Carrots for the best boost. If you don’t have any, regular Carrots work too.
Long Race
This one tests stamina over a longer distance. Bring Pontata Roots if available. If not, Herbs are a solid backup.
Steeplechase
Timing and stamina are everything here. You’ll need to jump over obstacles while keeping your horse's stamina up. Bring stamina-boosting items like Herbs; they’re effective and easy to get.
Tip: During the race, press the Triangle button to use your support items.
3. Don’t Spend Your Stamina Too Quickly
Even with support items, wasting stamina can cost you the race. Your horse’s stamina gradually decreases, and if it runs out, your horse will slow down significantly.
So, avoid mashing the Circle (O) button too much. Use it wisely, only when you really need a speed boost, like when you're about to be overtaken by another rider.
4. Slow Down When Entering Track Turns
This mistake happens a lot. If your horse is going too fast when entering a turn, it will be harder to steer left, and you'll likely crash into the right-side fences.
To avoid this, press the Square button to slow down your horse just before the turn.
5. Take the Left Side of the Track
Notice how Gwen or Bob often stays on the left side of the track? That’s because it’s the shortest path around the course. Staying on the inside lane gives you a slight edge in distance.
6. Avoid Bumping Into Other Riders
Crashing into other racers will slow your horse down. Stay in your lane and steer clear of them to maintain top speed.
7. Keep Practicing
Theory alone isn’t enough. You need to practice regularly on the racetrack to build your rhythm and strategy.
By familiarizing yourself with the race mechanics and track layout, you’ll gradually improve and boost your chances of winning.
These are the tips for consistently winning the horse race in Harvest Moon: Hero of Leaf Valley. If you have additional tips, feel free to share them here. Thank you!
Read also: Villager Birthdays, Likes, and Hates - Harvest Moon: Hero of Leaf Valley Guide