"Oblivion Remaster's 'Spookmane' Ghost Horse Sparks Fan Hunt"

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is filled with eerie encounters — skeletons, spirits, even zombies — yet no one recalls encountering this 'ghost horse' in either the original 2006 release or the 2025 remaster.

The tale starts with a Reddit post by TaricIsNotASupport, who pointed out what appears to be a spectral horse simply waiting to be discovered.

Uhhhh, guys, is this new?
byu/TaricIsNotASupport inoblivion

“I was experimenting with wacky spells in Frostcrag Spire — one of my favorite ways to enjoy the game — and when I left the Cosy Chaos Spire, a place that has certainly split opinions in our community, I spotted something incredibly strange far off,” TaricIsNotASupport explained.

“Like any curious adventurer, I made a beeline straight toward it. To my amazement, I found this nameless spectral horse standing there.

“I’ve poured thousands of hours into the original Oblivion and have already invested over a hundred in the Remaster, but I’ve never come across this horse before.

“I can't tell if it’s a new addition or something I simply overlooked all these years.”

TaricIsNotASupport then asked the community for help figuring out the origin of the horse, sparking an online ghost hunt. Players combed through the Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages for any mention of a spectral mount in the original game, but so far, nothing has turned up.

To the people asking if I can ride or interact with the spooky horse, yes! 1/2
byu/TaricIsNotASupport inoblivion

Could it be a mod? TaricIsNotASupport later confirmed they are playing on PlayStation 5, where mods are not supported. They also shared a clip of their character riding the ghostly steed. Despite its ethereal form, the horse behaves just like any other mount in Oblivion. “It fast travels and can even be stabled!” TaricIsNotASupport said. “By all means, it’s now my loyal companion!”

Some speculate the ghost horse is the result of a glitch, possibly triggered by a miscast spell. Bethesda games are no strangers to odd bugs — one known issue currently causes the camera to degrade over time — and this spectral steed might be another quirky addition to the list.

“Very strange. According to the wiki, there are only two unique horses: Shadowmere and unicorns,” ClaymoreBeatz noted. “I haven’t seen any mods that add something like this, and I don’t think you’re lying about playing on console. This is likely a glitch specific to the Remaster, or perhaps a magical effect gone wrong. Armored horses usually display as ‘Armored horse’ in-game, so maybe this one was hit by a spell, causing its name and appearance to glitch out.”

I was asked if Spookmane* can be buffed and if it stays spectral; the answer is yes!
byu/TaricIsNotASupport inoblivion

Others wonder if Bethesda and Virtuos intentionally added the ghost horse as a mysterious secret for players to uncover in the Remastered edition. This seems less probable, though it’s an exciting idea — if true, what other surprises might be hidden in the game?

Many players are eager to figure out how to get their own ghost horse. So far, there’s no known method to summon it, and TaricIsNotASupport didn’t follow any special steps — at least, none that have been identified yet.

In the absence of an official name, TaricIsNotASupport has dubbed their spectral companion ‘Spookmane,’ a fitting and creative title. They’ve vowed to continue their adventures with Spookmane at their side. Whether it’s a rare fluke, a hidden secret, or a quirky bug, Spookmane has certainly captured the imagination — and affection — of the Oblivion community.

“This creature might just be my new favorite companion,” TaricIsNotASupport shared. “Spookmane, you’re magnificent, and I adore you.”

Oblivion Remastered, developed by remake experts Virtuos using Unreal Engine 5, delivers a host of graphical and gameplay refinements. It supports 4K resolution and 60 FPS, as expected, but the meaningful upgrades go deeper. The leveling system, character creation, combat animations, and in-game menus have all been enhanced. The game also includes additional dialogue, a refined third-person perspective, and advanced lip-sync technology. The improvements have been well-received by fans, with some feeling the Remaster is substantial enough to be considered a remake. Bethesda, however, has clarified its reasoning behind opting for a remaster.

Now that the game is available, players of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered are cautioning newcomers to tackle the Kvatch quest early, before level scaling turns it into a major challenge. We’ve also covered the story of one player who managed to break free from Cyrodiil’s borders to explore Valenwood, Skyrim, and even Hammerfell — the rumored location of The Elder Scrolls VI.

Be sure to explore our in-depth Oblivion Remastered guides, including a detailed Interactive Map, complete Walkthroughs for the Main Questline and every Guild Quest, How to Build the Perfect Character, Essential Early Game Tips, every PC Cheat Code, and much more.