Horses of Hoofprint Bay Demo: Versions and Save Transfer

The Horses of Hoofprint Bay demo is free on Steam and still available after the full release, in two versions: the February 2026 demo and the updated October 2026 demo. Both stop after 25 in-game days, and only saves from the October demo carry over to the full game. This Horses of Hoofprint Bay demo guide explains the differences, how to play the older version and what to watch out for when you move to the full game.

The demo is the easiest way to decide whether the game is for you: the developers say both demos stay available after release "so anyone hesitant to buy can still get a taste of the game before purchasing". The full game is on the official Horses of Hoofprint Bay store page on Steam.

The Two Horses of Hoofprint Bay Demo Versions

The February demo let you try horse care, training, giving lessons, competitions, upgrading some buildings and breeding your first foal or two, according to its launch post. The October announcement says that demo more closely represents the first 25 days of the actual game, so you probably won't progress as far, because the starter horse begins with much lower stats.

The February demo was popular. In the March 2026 update, the developers reported that it had been played by over 32,000 people and downloaded about 40,000 times, with a median playtime of 3 hours 26 minutes and 99% positive reviews. For the October version, they asked players to play during the first one or two days of Steam Next Fest, because the game's visibility in the festival depended on it.

How to Play the February Demo

The February demo wasn't removed. The October 2026 announcement explains how to switch to it: right-click the game in your Steam library, select Properties, then Game Versions and Betas, and choose February Demo.

Players were split on the 25-day limit. One player asked for more days just to ride around; another player quoted the answer that if the demo makes you want more, it's doing its job. The full game has no day limit, according to the developer's FAQ on the official Steam forum.

Moving Your Demo Save to the Full Game

The developer's FAQ answers the most common question: "Saves from the February Demo will not be compatible, saves from the October Demo will be." The October announcement explains why: the October demo contains all the changes made in the months before release.

Back in February, players on the forum weren't sure; one player relayed that the team couldn't guarantee compatibility. That changed with the October demo, so make sure the save you want to keep comes from the October version.

Save Problems After Release

A few players on the official Steam forum ran into trouble when the demo and the full game shared saves in release week:

• Uninstalling the demo: one player uninstalled the demo after continuing a demo save in the full game; their demo saves reappeared and the save they had played to day 60 showed day 25, although the day-60 file was still in the full game's save folder.
• Loading old demo saves: another player told the demo to load old saves again, deleted demo data in-game, and lost the new full-game save from the menu, although the .json file was still in the saves folder; both saves had the same name.
• Demo "corrupted": one player asked whether the demo stopped working after the full release because it kept saying it was corrupted.

These were open questions in the threads, without an official answer yet. Before uninstalling the demo or deleting saves, back up your save folder. If achievements stop working on a save, see our Horses of Hoofprint Bay achievements guide.

Demo vs Full Game

The full game adds a lot on top of the October demo. The developers' dev updates list prestige, cross country competitions, personality traits, leopard patterns, beach trail rides, more building stages and a reworked staff system, and there is no 25-day cap. The demo's limits mean some goals can't be reached: in the February demo, a player whose mare was due on day 26 never saw the foal.

For the price and launch offer, see our Horses of Hoofprint Bay price guide; for the first steps in either version, the beginner guide.

Horses of Hoofprint Bay Demo FAQ

Is the Horses of Hoofprint Bay demo still available?

Yes. The developers said both the February and October demos stay available after the full game releases.

Will my demo save transfer?

Only saves from the October 2026 demo. Saves from the February 2026 demo are not compatible, according to the developer's FAQ.

How long is the demo?

Both demos are limited to 25 in-game days. The full game has no day limit.

How do I play the old February demo?

In your Steam library, right-click the demo, open Properties, then Game Versions and Betas, and select February Demo.