You’ve just crawled out of the Imperial Sewers. The light is blinding, your inventory is a mess of rusty iron daggers and stolen apples, and the walk to Weynon Priory looks like a marathon. If you’re playing The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, you probably know that feeling of being a "level one nobody" staring down a long road to Chorrol.
But there’s a shortcut most people miss because they’re too busy rushing the main quest. I’m talking about Prior Maborel horse, the unsung hero of the early game. Honestly, it’s one of the best "hidden in plain sight" rewards in Cyrodiil. It basically saves you from the slog of walking across the Great Forest before you’ve even had your first proper fight with a Daedra.
How to Get the Prior Maborel Horse Without Stealing It
Most players assume you have to buy a horse at a stable like Chestnut Handy, but those things are expensive. A decent Black Horse will set you back 2,500 gold. At level one? You’re lucky to have 200.
Here is the thing: Prior Maborel is a generous guy, but he won’t just hand over the keys the second you walk through the door. You have to follow a specific dialogue path. First, you need to find Jauffre in the secret room at Weynon Priory and give him the Amulet of Kings. Once you’ve done that, talk to Jauffre again and select the Assistance topic.
Jauffre will tell you to take whatever you need from the chest in the room. That’s your cue. Head back downstairs and find Prior Maborel. Usually, he’s puttering around the chapel or the courtyard. When you talk to him now, a new option appears. He’ll tell you that you’re welcome to use his horse for your travels.
It’s a Paint Horse. It isn't the fastest thing on four legs, but it's yours.
The "Red Icon" Glitch (And How to Avoid Jail)
A lot of people mess this up. They talk to Maborel, hear him say "take the horse," and then they run out to the stables and hop on the first animal they see. Stop. If you look at the horse and the horseshoe icon is red, do not mount it. That means the game still thinks you’re stealing. This usually happens if you haven't specifically selected the "Assistance" dialogue with Jauffre first. If you hop on while the icon is red, the guards will be on you faster than a Mudcrab on a tourist. Always make sure the text specifically says Prior Maborel's Paint Horse. If it just says "Paint Horse," keep looking.
Stats and Performance: Is It Actually Any Good?
Let's be real—the Prior Maborel horse isn't winning any races at the Imperial City Waterfront. In the hierarchy of Oblivion mounts, the Paint Horse is the baseline.
- Speed: 23 (The slowest tier).
- Health: 200 (Decent for early game).
- Combat: It will try to help, but it’s mostly just "brave" enough to get itself killed.
Compared to a Black Horse (Speed 33) or the legendary Shadowmere, Maborel’s mount feels a bit like driving a minivan. But speed isn't everything when you're overencumbered. One of the best mechanical perks of having this horse is that it allows you to fast-travel even when you are carrying too much weight. If you’ve just cleared out a ruin and you're at 250/240 weight, just hop on the Prior Maborel horse. You can then zip to the nearest city to sell your loot.
It’s a game-changer for early-game economy.
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What Happens to the Horse After the Attack?
This is where things get a little dark. As you progress through the quest "Find the Heir," you’ll eventually return to Weynon Priory with Martin. You’ll find the place under attack by the Mythic Dawn.
Sadly, Prior Maborel is usually one of the first casualties.
If you didn’t get the horse before the attack, can you still get it? Yes. Once the smoke clears and the Mythic Dawn agents are dealt with, Jauffre will often mention taking the horse to get to Cloud Ruler Temple. Even if he doesn't, the horse remains at the stables. Since the original owner is... well, no longer with us... the horse becomes "unowned" in a way that allows you to ride it without it being a crime.
It’s a bit of a grim inheritance, but Maborel would have wanted you to use it to save the world.
Keeping Your Horse Alive (The Struggle)
Horses in Oblivion are notoriously fragile. They have a bad habit of picking fights with Timber Wolves and Mountain Lions while you’re busy picking Nirnroot. If your Prior Maborel horse dies, it’s gone for good. It doesn't respawn like Shadowmere.
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I’ve lost more than one Paint Horse to a random bandit on the road to Bruma. If you really want to keep it, you should look into the Horse Armor DLC (if you have it). Taking your horse to Snak gra-Bura at the Chestnut Handy Stables outside the Imperial City allows you to equip it with Steel or Elven armor. It doubles the health, making it much harder for a stray goblin to take down your ride.
If it does wander off or get lost—which happens a lot when you fast-travel to cities—check the stables at the North Gate of Chorrol or back at the Priory. Usually, it’s just waiting there, looking bored.
Actionable Tips for New Players
If you're starting a new playthrough today, do this immediately:
- Don't skip the Priory: Go straight there after the sewers. The gear in Jauffre's chest and the free horse are worth the trip.
- Cast "Water Walking" on Touch: If you’re a mage, create a cheap Water Walking spell and cast it on the horse. You can now gallop across Lake Rumare and skip the winding roads.
- Use it as a Mule: Only use the horse when you have a long distance to cover or too much loot to carry. If you’re exploring a small area, leave it at the road so it doesn't get caught in crossfire.
- Check the Icon Color: I can't stress this enough. If it's red, don't touch it. Talk to Jauffre again.
The Prior Maborel horse might not be the flashiest mount in the game, but it’s a reliable companion for those first few hours when Cyrodiil feels impossibly large. Take care of it, and it'll get you to Cloud Ruler Temple in one piece.