Summary

  • Feeding horses with carrots in Stardew Valley gives a speed buff, but apples and hay can't be fed.
  • Carrot seeds can't be bought in Stardew Valley's standard shops and must be acquired by players from various sources in-game.
  • Stardew Valley players continue to find surprises in the game, like the ability to feed carrots to horses for benefits.

A Stardew Valley player has shared their surprise after they discovered that their horse can be fed. In addition to a cute animation, feeding one's horse in Stardew Valley conveys some benefits, but it seems some players didn't know that this is a feature.

Stardew Valley continues to surprise players with the level of thought that goes into the game, with unexpected reactions to gifts from Stardew Valley residents and rare startup screens particularly intriguing fans as of late. The game has grown a lot over they years, and even if one pores over the update notes, there's often little surprises tucked away.

stardew-valley-players-want-to-play-on-the-playground
Stardew Valley Player Points Out Big Missed Opportunity at the Playground

One Stardew Valley player laments a highly-requested feature that remains missing from the farming sim game, prompting discussion among fans.

By 

One such instance of a change is the ability to feed horses in Stardew Valley. A fan going by teengirlhelley shared their surprise at discovering that their horse could be fed carrots, and shared it with the community. Many have been surprised by the discovery, as they didn't know about this feature either, while some provided some guidance on it. Horses can only be fed carrots, a new crop that was added to the game in Stardew Valley's 1.6 update. Other common real-world foods for horses, like apples or hay, can't be fed to one's steed in the game. Players have also pointed out that feeding a carrot to a horse can only be done once a day, but it gives the horse a +0.4 buff to speed for the entirety of the day, making it well worth it.

Getting Carrots in Stardew Valley

Some players may also be surprised at learning that carrots exist in Stardew Valley, as the seeds for them can't be purchased by traditional means. Pierre and the Joja Store don't sell them. Instead, carrot seeds can be acquired randomly while digging up artifact spots, reeling in gold treasure chests or mystery boxes, doing special quests outside the Mayor's house, and rarely by breaking open containers in the mines. Once acquired, keeping a carrot to turn into seeds with a seed maker is a good idea so that players don't have to keep trying to get more with random drops.

Stardew Valley continues to delight players with the additions and details found in the game. Developer ConcernedApe has been largely preoccupied with issuing smaller patches to fix lingering issues in the game following the 1.6 update. He's previously said that he feels like he could work on Stardew Valley forever, though it remains to be seen if the game will get any major content updates after this point. Many are excited to play Haunted Chocolatier, the developer's next game, so whatever the dev decides to do next, chances are fans will be eager to try out the result next.

Rating block community and brand ratings Image
Stardew Valley Tag Page Cover Art

Stardew Valley
Display card tags widget
RPG
Simulation
Display card system widget
Systems
phone transparent super greyscale 8-bit logo PC-1 PlayStation-1 Xbox-1
Display card community and brand rating widget Display card open critics widget
Top Critic Avg: 90 /100 Critics Rec: 99%
Display card main info widget
Released
February 26, 2016
ESRB
E for Everyone (Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language, Simulated Gambling, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco)
Developer(s)
ConcernedApe
Publisher(s)
ConcernedApe
Engine
Proprietary
Multiplayer
Local Multiplayer, Online Multiplayer
Cross-Platform Play
Stardew Valley does not currently support crossplay between different consoles and PC
Display card main info widget end Display card media widget start Display card media widget end

WHERE TO PLAY

SUBSCRIPTION
DIGITAL
PHYSICAL
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info

You’ve inherited your grandfather’s old farm plot in Stardew Valley. Armed with hand-me-down tools and a few coins, you set out to begin your new life. Can you learn to live off the land and turn these overgrown fields into a thriving home? It won’t be easy. Ever since Joja Corporation came to town, the old ways of life have all but disappeared. The community center, once the town’s most vibrant hub of activity, now lies in shambles. But the valley seems full of opportunity. With a little dedication, you might just be the one to restore Stardew Valley to greatness!

Cross Save
cross-progression is only available between the PC and mobile versions of the game
Number of Players
1-4
Split Screen Orientation
Vertical or Horizontal
Steam Deck Compatibility
Verified
Platform(s)
PC, Xbox One, Android, iOS, PS4, Switch
Genre(s)
RPG, Simulation
How Long To Beat
53 Hours
X|S Optimized
No
File Size Xbox Series
1 GB (November 2023)
Local Co-Op Support
1-4 Players
OpenCritic Rating
Mighty