Animal control, also referred to as beast mastery or animal empathy, was a Force power that let the user establish a telepathic connection with creatures, utilizing the Force.
Animal control, also known as beast mastery or animal empathy, was a Force power that enabled Force-sensitives to create a mental link with beasts. To successfully tame a creature in this way, one needed to release their reservations and become receptive to the Force's energy. Leia Organa Solo managed to employ this power effortlessly, simply requesting assistance during a moment when she discovered the Force within herself. Organa's previous attempts to harness the Force had been unsuccessful because she perceived it as an external entity to be manipulated.
During the Sith Empire's reign over Serenno, the Sith utilized the Force to dominate the Tirra'Taka and deploy them in battle. During the era of the High Republic, Jedi Master Porter Engle employed this ability to pacify a collection of steelees, transforming them into mounts for a Jedi operation to rescue the Blythe family, who had been abducted by the group known as the Nihil.
Obi-Wan Kenobi displayed a natural aptitude for this technique early in his training. He easily bonded with his varactyl mount on Pijal, impressing his mentor Qui-Gon Jinn. Conversely, Kenobi's padawan Anakin Skywalker found it difficult to master the skill, failing to calm a Mott during a training exercise and also failing to soothe the corpse-leeches of Carnelion IV, resulting in Skywalker eliminating them.
During the events of the First Battle of Geonosis, Skywalker employed the Force to subdue a ferocious reek within the Petranaki Arena. Dark Acolyte Asajj Ventress did not often use this skill, but she did so on Cato Neimoidia to reassure a Korgee beast that she meant no harm. During the Clone Wars, on the planet Ryloth, Kenobi used this power to tame and command a horde of ravenous gutkurrs, leading them into an ambush. It is worth noting that influencing numerous creatures simultaneously demanded considerable and sustained effort from Kenobi.
When Ventress met with Clone Force 99 to assist them in understanding the Galactic Empire's pursuit of Omega, a young clone girl within their ranks, Ventress conducted a series of tests to assess Omega's potential in utilizing the Force. As a final evaluation, Ventress instructed Omega to establish a connection with an aquatic creature. After Omega's unsuccessful attempt, Ventress demonstrated the ability twice: first, to provide an example, and second, to calm a creature that was drawn to the creatures that were attracted to Ventress during her demonstration. The Jedi Cal Kestis possessed a proficiency in this power, capable of forming mental bonds with creatures to utilize them as mounts or allies in combat. While he sometimes struggled with practicing his ability, the young Jedi Ezra Bridger possessed an innate affinity for animals and the natural world. Bridger once employed this ability with a dangerous fyrnock at Fort Anaxes. However, Bridger tapped into the dark side of the Force when summoning such a formidable creature, leaving him depleted. Although he was unable to connect with the krykna of Atollon due to their sensitivity to negative emotions, he gradually mastered the skill, forging connections with both tibidee and purrgil.
Leia Organa struggled with unlocking her Force abilities until the battle on Madurs seemed destined for defeat. Accepting this reality, Organa discovered the Force within herself. Instead of attempting to control the deep-sea creatures, she simply requested their aid. Her plea resulted in the arrival of an edont, which turned the tide of the battle.
In 9 ABY, Grogu utilized the Force to pacify Boba Fett's rancor when it attacked Din Djarin in Mos Espa. Subduing the rancor exhausted Grogu, causing him to fall asleep while cuddling with the beast.