Horse Update

The Horse Update is a major update labeled as 1.6. It was released on 1st July 2013, and adds many new features such as horses, leads, coal blocks, carpets, resource packs and a new launcher.

Development began shortly after 1.5.2 was released. Eighteen development snapshots were released, from to. Twenty-five iterations of the new launcher have been released so far during this time period, from 0.1 to 1.0.5. Nearer the end of the snapshot cycle for the 1.6 update, Mojang focused primarily on fixing bugs, rather than adding new features.

The official name for the update - the Horse Update - was only released a week prior to the 1.6 prerelease on the Minecraft update tumblr (which is viewed in the launcher).

Mojang released the 1.6 pre-release on June 25, 2013. This added an easter egg where mobs named "Dinnerbone" or "Grumm" were flipped upside down.

Notable features
In the 1.6.1 update a new Minecraft launcher was implemented, with an improved LWGJL code and the ability to auto-update.

This update features the addition of Horses, tameable mobs which could be ridden upon. They can also be strapped to a fence using leads. Also, similar to horses, donkeys and mules were included as well. Hay bales were added to help feed them. In addition, leads which can control the tamed horses (or other mobs).

Several decorative blocks were also added: Carpets can cover a floor without raising its height. Hardened Clay provides an alternative to bricks, and can be crafted into Stained Clay. Both carpets and stained clay can be made in all of the 16 dye colors.