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 1.0.8. 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 LWJGL code and the ability to auto-update.

This update features the addition of horses, tamable mobs which could be ridden upon and bred. There are many types of horses throughout the game. 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, such as dogs. Horse Armor was also added to protect your horse. Lastly, name tags were added to name peaceful mobs, including horses and baby villagers.

Several decorative blocks were also added: Carpets can cover a floor without raising its height. Carpet is like very thin wool. It can cover almost every kind of block. 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.

New Features
Added Horses

Added Donkeys, Mules

Added Horse Armor

Added Leads

Added Carpets

Added Hardened Clay, Stained Clay

Added Block of Coal

Added Name Tags (item)

Added Hay Bales

Texture packs are now “resource packs” that also can hold sound, etc

Food meter is now drained when healed by full food meter

Removed Herobrine

Redesigned Launcher

Video
Watch the overview video below to learn more about the 1.6 update.