The Sims 4 Horse Ranch Expansion Pack: Release date, Chestnut Ridge, Horses & screenshots
Saddle up y'all, because The Sims 4 Horse Ranch Expansion Pack, which was previously revealed following a slew of leaks - is getting closer and closer to its release date by the day.
Whether you're looking forward to seeing what new world we'll be exploring or are more interested in the CAS and Build/Buy objects, EA has shared plenty to look forward to in The Sims 4 Horse Ranch.
It's been a whirlwind for releases in The Sims 4 as of late, with the Book Nook and Grunge Revival Kits both dropping in June, adding all-new items to decorate your Sims' homes with and clothes for them to show off their unique style in. Following that, we had a new Sims Delivery Express adding the R&B station - but that wasn't all for Sims reveals that month, either.
With previous leaks of the next Sims 4 Expansion Pack looking to be all too accurate, what we hadn't seen was an overview of the new world we'll be exploring in Horse Ranch - so keep reading for all of the details Maxis has shared in the game's reveal trailer, from screenshots to an overview of those all-important Horses.
- Check out our recommendations for the best mods for The Sims 4 as of 2023.
When does The Sims 4 Horse Ranch Expansion Pack release?
Click to enlargeThe release date for The Sims 4 Horse Ranch Expansion Pack is July 20, 2023, on PC, Mac, and consoles - meaning that we've got less than a month until Simmers can take their Sims (and their Horse!) out onto the open trail.
- Unsure of how to identify the illnesses in the Doctor career? Here's a symptom and illness Doctor diagnosis list for The Sims 4.
Horse Ranch Expansion Pack price for The Sims 4
As is standard for Expansion Packs in The Sims 4, Horse Ranch will cost $39.99/£34.99.
The DLC can now be pre-ordered from the EA App, Steam, and the Epic Games Store alongside console storefronts.
- You'll need to know how to edit your Sims after they've been created once Horse Ranch drops, so here's how to enter CAS Full Edit Mode in The Sims 4.
Chestnut Ridge world & lot sizes in The Sims 4 Horse Ranch
Click to enlargeThe Expansion Pack's new world is called Chestnut Ridge, which seems to be inspired by the "Great American West" according to a post from the team.
Chestnut Ridge has three different neighbourhoods to explore: New Appaloosa, Rider's Glen, and Galloping Gulch. Within these, there are a total of 13 lots ranging from smaller 15x20 lots to one larger 64x64 space. The different sizes available are:
- Galloping Gulch: 15x20, 50x50, 20x20
- New Appaloosa: 40x30, 20x20, Three 30x20
- Rider's Glen: Two 20x30, 30x30, 64x64, 30x40
Speaking on the world during a press event, SimGuruPopcorn stated that in Chestnut Ridge, “the neighbourhoods are made to have large open spaces for horses to roam. Especially the Gulch.”
You'll be able to take your horse for long rides, you may even need to pack some food and camping equipment if you're out all day. The team have implemented secret areas to explore, some of which will be rabbit holes including the mysterious Dreadhorse Caverns trail.
All horse competitions in The Sims 4 Horse Ranch and horse skills
Click to enlargeNew Appaloosa is a slightly more urbanised area, where you'll find the tavern hall, a few starter homes, shopping areas and the Equestrian Centre where you can compete in competitions with your horses. These competitions fall into the following categories:
- Jumping
- Barrell racing
- Endurance racing
- Western pleasure racing - where the comfort of your horse comes first.
As you advance through different divisions and start to earn plaques and simoleons, you'll advance towards the ultimate horse competition and the prestige that comes with it.
Horse Riding is a skill that will take some practice. In the beginning, you'll be able to walk and trot. During later levels, you'll be able to increase your riding speed and canter. There are animations to show the progression of your riding skills and it is not uncommon for Sims to fall from horses in the early stages.
- If you're more of a fan of Occult life states, here are all the cheats for The Sims 4 Werewolves.
New CAS and gameplay features in The Sims 4 Horse Ranch
Click to enlargeAs shared by Maxis in a blog post detailing what Simmers can expect to get up to in Horse Ranch, we will be able to do everything from entering equestrian competitions to raising Mini Goats and Sheep - seemingly not dissimilarly from the critters in Cottage Living.
Click to enlargeDuring a press event, we also received an additional look into what else is on offer for Simmers in Horse Ranch - so here's everything that we know will be arriving in the Expansion so far:
- A Community Board in the world lets you do things like hire a ranch hand, take up jobs, and find out about the world.
- Ranch Hands can help clean up after animals, fix broken furniture, feed and look after your animals and generally keep them happy.
- A new Lot Challenge - Try to stop the spread of Prairie grass as it takes over a lot.
- Breed, rescue, or purchase Horses - This can be done from a Community Board or from the Equestrian Centre which acts as a hub for everything horse related including horse competitions.
- Chestnut Ridge has a town centre akin to Cottage Living, where you can buy groceries and clothes.
Click to enlarge - Craft Nectar by stomping on fruit, and age it in (stackable!) Nectar Racks
- Can create different variants like Fruit Nectar, Grape Nectar, and Trash Nectar. Occult Sims will have their own special versions of Nectar too!
- Customisable options for horse tack, such as bridles and saddle pads, featuring options for Western and English riding styles.
- Horse Ranch signs that can be customised with different pieces and deco slots. Some options are locked until you achieve max skills with your horses.
- Foals can be born in-game, and may even unlock unique Traits not otherwise available in CAS.
- Horses can be ridden by children as well as adult Sims.
- Horses have their own skills: Agility, Endurance, Jumping and Temperament.
- Horses and Foals can be created and customised in CAS - with up to 30 real-world breeds available and can have up to 3 traits
- Customisable forelock, hoof feathers, tails, coat colour and patterns, with the return of Paint Mode colour wheel as seen in The Sims 4 Cats and Dogs.
- A Unicorn horn can be added to Horses too, which changes their voice slightly
- Indoor horse stalls and outdoor pens
- Large rubber balls that Horses and Foals can play with
Click to enlarge - Mini Goats and Sheep that you can milk and shear.
- New Cowpoke group dance animation.
- Prairie Grass (new harvestable) which can be converted into hay for your horse.
- The Pack also includes food, items, and CAS clothing that reflect Native American culture, such as Wild Nut Soup, Bison Stew and Three Sister's Chili.
- Two new human Sim traits: Rancher and Horse Lover.
- Two new Aspirations: Championship Rider and Expert Nectar Maker.
- Western-themed clothing and assets for Sims, with new moustaches, a layerable wild rag neckerchief that will cover many low collar pieces and dirty swatch variants.
Click to enlarge - A new 'count sheep' interaction to help send your Sims off to sleep
- A multitude of different Mini Sheep and Goat colour swatches including rainbow colours.
- Barn Doors that are large enough for horses to ride through.
- Two new social events - these are the Ranch Animal Day where you can show off your animals in return for prizes, and the Ranch Gathering event where you can host a party on your Ranch.
- Horses can come back as ghosts when they die.
Horse breeds and CAS customisation in The Sims 4
Click to enlargeMuch like the addition of those furry friends in 2017’s Cats & Dogs Expansion Pack, Horses in The Sims 4 are very customisable, and will take up one of the 8 slots available for a household.
During a press event for Horse Ranch, we received a glimpse into some of the breeds that will be on offer. Here are all of the ones we know of so far:
- Appaloosa
- Barb
- Freesian
- Shire
- American Paint Horse
- American Saddlebred
- Andalusian
- Anglo Arabian
- Australian Stock Horse
- Gallineers Cob
- American Standardbredd
While we don’t know all of the default horses that can be selected in CAS just yet, there are over 30 breeds available with a host of customisable options. These options include features like their forelock, hoof feathers, tack and more.
What traits will Horses have in The Sims 4?
Click to enlarge
The Horse traits that we've seen so far for The Sims 4 are:
- Aggressive
- Brave
- Defiant
- Energetic
- Fearful
- Free Spirit
- Friendly
- Independent
- Intelligent
- Mellow
- Needy
Foals can inherit traits from their parents and there is a secret trait that can only be gained from breeding foals on a ranch.
The Sims 4 Horse Ranch Expansion Pack trailer & screenshots
Check out the screenshots below for a look into what CAS and Build/Buy items will be arriving in The Sims 4 with Horse Ranch, or keep on scrolling for the reveal trailer, which released on June 22, 2023:
For a full look at everything showcased so far for Horse Ranch, be sure to check out the reveal trailer below:
On July 6, 2023, The Sims team dropped a brand new 'Feature Overview' trailer, showing further insight into what both Sims and Horses will be able to get up to in Horse Ranch.
Showcasing a look at Foals, Nectar, the world of Chestnut Ridge, and Sims taking care of Mini Goats and Sheep, there's a lot to get excited about in Horse Ranch - and it seems like even Horses can be ghosts! Check out the full trailer below:
Rockin' Rancher Digital Content for Horse Ranch in The Sims 4
As has been the trend with many Expansion Packs throughout The Sims 4's lifecycle, players that purchase the The Sims 4 Horse Ranch DLC between June 22 and August 31, 2023, will receive three additional objects to utilise within their game, which are as follows:
- '63 Twilight Notes Resonator Guitar
- Softly Spoke n' Petals
- The Rockin Star chair
Click to enlargeSo, that's everything you need to know about the upcoming Horse Ranch Expansion Pack in The Sims 4 - will you be picking up this DLC once it launches?
While you're here, be sure to check out our Sims homepage for all of the latest news and guides.
