Horses of Hoofprint Bay How to Praise Horse: Timing and Key
Horses of Hoofprint Bay how to praise horse: press S just after a gait change you asked for or when the horse is curious, and use scratches and treats too.
Horses of Hoofprint Bay how to praise horse comes down to one key and good timing: by default you press S, and it only counts right after your horse changes gait on your request or while it is curiously inspecting something scary. This Horses of Hoofprint Bay how to praise horse guide explains when praise works, what it does for confidence, and the other ways to build trust through grooming, scratches and treats.
Praise matters because confidence decides how well a horse listens. In a demo gameplay video, the in-game text explains that low confidence makes the horse less sure of your aids, so it won't react as promptly. The official Horses of Hoofprint Bay store page on Steam lists training exercises and building up your horse among the core activities.
When Praise Works While Riding
Praise isn't a general "good horse" button. The Horse Stats & Training Book in the in-game library, quoted by a player on the official Steam forum, says: "If you praise your horse directly after it changed gaits on your request, that also raises confidence."
Players added the practical details in the same February 2026 demo thread:
- Press S (the default key) after you change your horse's gait to praise it for obeying.
- Praise only seems to work right after a gait change.
- The window is short, so press it quickly.
- It works during training, on trail rides and, according to another player, in competitions too.
One of those players noted that there's no proper tutorial for this, so many people only find it late. A gameplay video titled "10 Things You MUST Do FIRST" also points to this mechanic as easy to miss.
| Situation | Praise? | What the material says |
|---|---|---|
| Right after a gait change you asked for | Yes | Raises confidence (in-game library) |
| A gait change the horse made on its own | No | Praise rewards obeying your request |
| Long after the gait change | No | Players report the window is short |
Praising a Curious Horse During Desensitization
The second use of praise came with the full release. The August 2026 dev update says the developers weren't satisfied with how quickly confidence could be maxed out in the demo, so they overhauled it: unprompted gait changes now show a small warning icon before they happen, and a new Desensitization training course teaches you to approach a scary object while watching your horse, praising it when it is curious and giving it space and time when it becomes worried. The update adds that reaching full confidence now takes longer.
The in-game text in that course, read out in a full-release gameplay video, explains the two reactions to watch for:
| Horse reaction | How it looks | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Curious | Inspecting the object, often with a distinctive snort | Praise it, to reassure it that investigating is a good idea |
| Worried | Under more tension; can end with the horse bolting | Give it more space and don't add forward pressure |
The goal, according to the same text, is to find the distance where the horse is curiously inspecting the scary thing and praise it there, which lets you get closer until you can eventually pass it and raise the horse's confidence. Push forward too hard and the horse gets worried, turns around and bolts. In that video the course prompt showed S to praise and A to back up.
Scary spots also appear outside the course. The in-game text says they could be a loud spectator at a show or a wobbly bridge on a trail, and horses with low confidence will only pass them slowly and with careful encouragement.
Other Ways to Build Confidence
Praise is one tool among several. The material lists these:
| Method | Effect | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Scratching the horse's favorite spot | Hearts appear; the Cuddly trait gains more confidence from scratches on its itchy spot | Gameplay videos, Traits and Quirks book |
| Treats | A tiny amount of confidence if not already maxed | Player report |
| Snacky trait | Gains more confidence from snacks | Traits and Quirks book |
| Confidence training | Suggested by players for horses that buck or refuse | Player reports |
The v0.1.10 to v0.1.12 demo patch notes adjusted the volume of the snort that plays for praise, so listen for it. For the traits that change how a horse reacts, see our Horses of Hoofprint Bay traits and quirks guide.
Why a Horse Stops Showing Hearts
A common worry on the official Steam forum is that a horse that used to show hearts when you scratched its favorite spot suddenly glares instead. Players offered two explanations:
- High confidence: two players said the green hearts stop appearing once confidence reaches a certain point; one put it at 80 or more.
- Injuries: another player pointed out that horses don't want to be brushed or petted over injuries, and a demo gameplay video shows the same thing: the horse enjoyed petting but reacted badly when the cursor touched its cut.
If a horse glares, check its medical tab first; if it's healthy and confident, the missing hearts are not a problem. Our Horses of Hoofprint Bay injuries guide explains how to treat cuts and other conditions.
Horses of Hoofprint Bay How to Praise Horse FAQ
Which key praises the horse?
S is the default praise key, according to players on the official Steam forum and the desensitization course prompt shown in a gameplay video.
When should I use Horses of Hoofprint Bay how to praise horse while riding?
Directly after the horse changes gait on your request. The in-game library says this raises confidence, and players report the window is short.
Why isn't praise doing anything?
Players report that praise only works right after a gait change you asked for. In the desensitization course, praise when the horse is curious, not when it is worried.
Do treats help confidence?
A player reported that treats give a tiny amount of confidence if it isn't already maxed, and horses with the Snacky trait gain more from them.
Related Guides
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Horses of Hoofprint Bay feeding guide: hay, grazing and water, when to add grain, easy and hard keepers, treats, buying feed in town and avoiding laminitis.
Injuries: All Illnesses, Treatments
All Horses of Hoofprint Bay injuries and illnesses from the in-game library: causes, treatments, healing days, vet costs, and where to buy antiseptic and cream.