The Sims 4 Horse Ranch expansion pack has introduced the thrilling dynamic of horse aging, impacting gameplay, interactions, and equestrian adventures. For players eager to navigate this new feature, understanding both the natural aging process and the expedited method using age-up treats is crucial.
Understanding Horse Aging in The Sims 4
Every horse in The Sims 4 undergoes a life cycle, moving from the playful days of a foal to the experienced days of an elder. Each foal, representing the youngest phase, evolves into an adult over a span of eight in-game days. Upon reaching adulthood, these horses stay in this phase for a further 50 in-game days before turning into elders.
The beauty of the aging process is the plethora of interactions it unlocks. Adult horses offer players the chance to engage in delightful interactions, such as the friendly Rub Neck, tender Hug, and intimate Hand Feed.
Moreover, once a foal transitions into an adult, it opens doors for players to dive into equestrian competitions, riding experiences, and advanced training modules. On the flip side, elderly horses, while not offering many gameplay advantages, bring a serene calmness, often preferring longer naps over active interactions.
Acquiring the Horse Age-Up Treats
While nature has its pace, players sometimes seek a quicker path. Enter the Horse Age-Up Treats, exclusive consumables designed to speed up the horse’s aging process. These can be procured from the iconic Bits & Bales Mercantile general store nestled in the scenic Chestnut Ridge.
If you’re pondering where to find this store, head towards the New Appaloosa neighborhood, specifically near The Oak Barrel tavern. Once at the Bits & Bales Mercantile (which operates from 7 AM to 10 PM), navigate to the “Shop for groceries and goods” option. Amidst the array of products, the Horse Age-Up Treat stands out, priced reasonably at 150 Simoleons.
Using the Horse Age-Up Treats
Once you’ve invested in these treats in Sims 4, the next step is putting them to use. After purchase, these treats conveniently slot into your Sim’s personal inventory, ready for action. To administer the treat to a horse, follow these straightforward steps:
- Click on the horse in question.
- Dive into “More Choices” and then segue to the “Horse Care” section.
- Finalize by selecting the “Feed Age-Up Treat” option.
The magic unfolds instantly! Foals mature into adults, while adults gracefully transition to elders. However, be aware: these treats are not one-size-fits-all. They are uniquely tailored for horses, rendering Cats & Dogs treats ineffective. Plus, an elder horse is already at its final age stage, making it ineligible for another age-up treat.
Alternative Aging Method: Create-a-Sim (CAS Full Edit mode)
For the creative minds looking to explore an alternate aging avenue, the CAS Full Edit mode is your playground. Here’s a handy guide to maneuvering this mode:
- Awaken the cheat box with the CTRL + Shift + C command (for PC users).
- Input ‘testingcheats on’ for the next step.
- Follow up by typing ‘fulleditmode’ and confirming with enter.
- With the shift key pressed, click on any household member.
- The gateway “Modify in CAS” emerges, unlocking settings for horse age modifications, among other features.
Preventing Premature Horse Aging
Every story has two sides. While some players chase the thrill of quick aging, others cherish longevity. For those looking to preserve their horse’s current age stage, the Sims 4 settings come to the rescue. Navigate to the options menu, identifiable by the three dots symbol at the top right.
Dive into ‘Game Options’ and then ‘Gameplay.’ The magic wand here is the ‘Auto Age (Played Households) option. Set this to ‘No,’ and voila! Your horses now defy the sands of time. This setting, while halting horse aging, still respects other in-game aging triggers like birthday candles.
