Horse Update
Horse Update introduced horses and new tools for traveling with animals. It released for Java Edition 1.6.1 on July 1, 2013.
Mobs and Travel
Horses, Donkeys, and Mules
Horse
Horses brought rideable overland travel to Java Edition. Coat colors and markings gave them varied appearances, while their speed, jumping ability, and health made finding a mount part of exploration.
- Horses can wear a Saddle and Horse Armor.
- Donkeys can carry a Chest, turning a mount into portable storage.
- Breeding a Horse with a Donkey produces a Mule, which can also carry a Chest.
- Taming and breeding made keeping a stable useful for repeated journeys.
Leads and Name Tags
Lead
Leads let players guide animals and tether them to Fences. Name Tags, renamed using an Anvil, gave mobs lasting names and made it easier to distinguish companions or collected animals.
Blocks and Building
- Carpets provided thin floor coverings in the full dye palette.
- Stained Clay, now known as colored Terracotta, added solid-color building materials.
Hay Bales supplied a farm-themed block associated with feeding Horses.- Blocks of Coal compacted Coal into a storage block and fuel source.
Resource Packs
Resource Packs replaced the more limited Texture Pack system. Customization could extend beyond textures to sounds and other resources, giving creators more control over the game’s presentation.
Other Highlights
The update arrived with a new Java launcher. Its combination of mounts, equipment, building blocks, and customization made it a broader release than the name alone suggests.
Gallery
Official Artwork
