Malon’s Friend is one of the most memorable side quests in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. It begins with a simple visit to Lon Lon Ranch, where you meet Malon and her horse, Epona. But the story continues years later, when Adult Link returns to find the ranch under Ingo’s control.
In this walkthrough, we’ll cover the full quest across both timelines. You’ll learn how to find Lon Lon Ranch, complete Talon’s Super Cucco game, collect the available Child Link items, win Epona from Ingo, and unlock the bonus obstacle course. I’ll also point out the collectibles and useful tips along the way.
Ocarina of Time Malon’s Friend Walkthrough Guide – Rewards
| Stage | Main Objectives | Rewards and Collectibles |
|---|---|---|
| First visit as Child Link | Find Malon, learn Epona’s Song, complete Talon’s minigame | Epona’s Song, Lon Lon Milk, Empty Bottle |
| Child Link collectibles | Explore the ranch and return with the Boomerang | Heart Piece, Gold Skulltulas #17, #37, #38 |
| Return as Adult Link | Find Ingo and complete his horse races | Epona, ranch restored |
| Bonus challenge | Beat Malon’s obstacle course in under 40 seconds | Link’s Cow |
How to Start Malon’s Friend
Visit Lon Lon Ranch After Meeting Princess Zelda
You can begin this quest after completing the Princess of Hyrule Castle sequence, when Impa takes you away from the castle. Malon has returned to Lon Lon Ranch, making this a good time to visit.
Lon Lon Ranch is located in the center of Hyrule Field. Head inside and look for Malon in the middle of the corral with her horse, Epona.
Find Malon and Learn Epona’s Song
Talk to Malon during the daytime. She’ll introduce you to Epona and ask you to sing her mother’s song together.
Take out your Fairy Ocarina and follow the on-screen notes to learn Epona’s Song:
X, Y, A, X, Y, A
Remember this song. You’ll need it to call Epona as Adult Link, and you can also use it near cows to collect Lon Lon Milk if you have an empty bottle.
At night, Malon sleeps inside her house, so return during the day if you can’t find her in the corral.
Optional: Read the Fairy Writing
While exploring the ranch, check the wall beside the horse stables for fairy writing. These hints are scattered throughout Hyrule and can provide useful information as you explore.
Complete Talon’s Super Cucco Minigame
1. Find Talon in His House
After learning Epona’s Song, enter the house near the ranch entrance. Talon is inside, usually half-asleep.
You can also visit the stables and speak to Ingo, the farmhand, before starting the minigame.
2. Start the Cucco-Finding Challenge
Talk to Talon to begin. The first attempt costs 10 Rupees. If you fail, he’ll let you try again for 5 Rupees.
Talon throws three Super Cuccos into a room full of ordinary Cuccos and gives you 30 seconds to find them. Grab Cuccos quickly and watch for Talon’s dialogue confirming when you’ve found a Super Cucco.
If you need Rupees, break the pots upstairs in Talon’s house before starting.
3. Find All Three Super Cuccos
Find all three special Cuccos before the timer runs out. Talon rewards you with Lon Lon Milk in an Empty Bottle.
The milk can restore health, but the Empty Bottle is the most valuable part of the reward because it gives you another container for carrying items.
Afterward, Talon asks whether you want to marry Malon. Your answer doesn’t affect the quest.
Tip: Rest in the Beds
You can sleep in the beds inside Talon’s house to recover health and change the day-night cycle. This can be useful if you need to wait until daytime to find Malon.
Collect the Child Link Ranch Items
Before leaving Lon Lon Ranch, collect the items that are available during your first visit.
Heart Piece #2 — Southwest Shed
The Heart Piece is hidden inside the dilapidated shed in the southwest corner of the ranch.
- Enter the shed and look at the large crates on the left.
- Move the first crate on the right farther right.
- Push the first crate on the left toward the right-hand crate.
- Pull the second left crate down to the first row.
- Push the center crate in the second row to the right.
- Move the third-row left crate down into the second row.
- Shift the remaining center crate enough to open a path through the hole near the damaged gate.
- Crawl through and collect the Heart Piece.
Use the same opening to exit the shed.
Gold Skulltula #17 — Tree Behind Talon’s House
Go behind Talon and Malon’s house and find the tree with a straight trunk.
Roll into it to make Gold Skulltula #17 fall. Defeat it with your sword and collect the token.
Leave and Return With the Boomerang
You’ll need the Boomerang to collect the two remaining Child Link Gold Skulltulas around Lon Lon Ranch. You can obtain it during the quest for the Zora Sapphire in Lord Jabu-Jabu’s Belly.
Once you have it, return to the ranch at night.
Gold Skulltula #37 — Talon’s House
Look on the upper part of the outside wall of Talon and Malon’s house. Use the Boomerang to hit the Skulltula and retrieve its token.
Aim directly at the token so the Boomerang brings it back to you.
Gold Skulltula #38 — Abandoned Shed
Return to the shed where you found the Heart Piece. Look up toward the window near the entrance to spot the Gold Skulltula.
Use the Boomerang to defeat it and collect the token.
Once these collectibles are complete, continue the main quest until you obtain the Master Sword and can become Adult Link.
Return to Lon Lon Ranch as Adult Link
Find Ingo at the Corral
When you return to Lon Lon Ranch as Adult Link, you’ll discover that Ingo has taken control of the ranch. Talon is gone, and Malon is trying to protect the horses.
Find Ingo at the corral entrance and pay 20 Rupees for horse-jumping practice. Instead of using one of his horses, play Epona’s Song to call your own horse.
Race Ingo for the First Time
After the practice session, Ingo challenges you to a race for 20 Rupees.
Use the carrots at the bottom of the screen to boost Epona’s speed. Keep to the right side of the track, overtake Ingo, and cross the finish line first.
Ingo will immediately offer a rematch. Accept to continue.
Win the Second Race and Claim Epona
The second race is harder because Ingo’s horse is faster and corners more aggressively.
Stay on the right side of the track, use your boosts carefully, and block Ingo from passing you. If you maintain the lead, you’ll win the race and Ingo will give you Epona.
However, he locks the ranch gates to prevent you from leaving.
Escape the Ranch
Find a low fence along the edge of the ranch. Ride Epona toward it and jump over to escape.
A cutscene follows, showing Ingo’s defeat and Malon’s relief. The ranch returns to Talon and Malon, and the quest’s main story is complete.
Unlock the Bonus Obstacle Course
Find Malon at the Corral
After restoring the ranch, return to Lon Lon Ranch and speak to Malon outside the corral. She’ll thank you and offer a new horse-jumping challenge.
Beat the Course in Under 40 Seconds
Accept the challenge and ride Epona around the course, jumping over the obstacles.
You must finish in under 40 seconds to win. If you succeed, you’ll receive a Cow that will be sent to Link’s House in Kokiri Forest.
You can talk to Malon afterward to hear more about the ranch’s return to the family.
Malon’s Friend Quest Rewards
Epona
Epona is the main reward for defeating Ingo in the races. You can call her with Epona’s Song in Hyrule Field and other open areas, including Gerudo Valley.
Link’s Cow
Complete Malon’s obstacle course in under 40 seconds to earn a Cow for Link’s House in Kokiri Forest.
Play Epona’s Song near the cow with an empty bottle to collect Lon Lon Milk.
Lon Lon Ranch Restored
After Ingo’s defeat, Talon and Malon return to the ranch. The obstacle course also becomes available, giving you a repeatable horse-jumping challenge.