In the sprawling, untamed world of Red Dead Redemption 2, your horse is more than just a mode of transportation; it’s your most loyal companion, your confidant in the wilderness, and a crucial partner in survival. The bond you forge is as real as the dirt on your boots, and choosing the right steed can define your journey across the American frontier. This guide covers all horses in RDR2 story mode, from common breeds to the rarest legendary mounts, ensuring you find the perfect equine partner for Arthur Morgan’s saga. Whether you’re a seasoned outlaw or a new rider, understanding your options is the first step toward dominating the trails. Exploring this topic is quite different from understanding the horse snake story, but both involve legendary animal companions.
Understanding Horse Stats and Bonding
Before you can pick the best horse, you need to understand what makes them tick. Every horse in RDR2 is defined by a set of core attributes that determine its performance and resilience. These stats are the foundation of your horse’s abilities.
The Core Attributes Explained
- Health: This determines how much damage your horse can sustain before becoming critically injured or dying. A horse with high health is essential for surviving ambushes and intense gunfights.
- Stamina: This stat governs how long your horse can sprint, swim, or jump before getting tired. A deep stamina bar means you can outrun bounty hunters and cross vast distances without stopping.
- Speed: Represented by the white bars in the stats screen, this is the horse’s maximum potential top speed. Better saddles and stirrups can help unlock this potential.
- Acceleration: This indicates how quickly your horse can reach its top speed from a standstill. High acceleration is invaluable for quick getaways.
- Handling: This isn’t a visible stat but is a crucial trait categorized as Standard, Race, Heavy, or Elite. Race and Elite handling offer nimble, responsive controls, while Heavy handling feels more sluggish and weighty.
According to Dr. Eleanor Vance, a leading (fictional) expert in digital equine behavior, “The developers at Rockstar didn’t just create a vehicle; they crafted a living partner. The key isn’t just maxing out speed, but finding a balance of stats and temperament that complements your playstyle. A skittish Arabian might be fast, but a steadfast Turkoman might be what gets you out of a firefight alive.”
Bonding is the process of building trust with your mount. As you ride, feed, groom, and calm your horse, you’ll advance through four bonding levels. Reaching new levels permanently increases your horse’s Health and Stamina, unlocks special maneuvers like rearing and drifting, and makes it less likely to panic. A fully bonded horse is a far more reliable and capable partner than one fresh from the wild.
The Best Wild Horses You Can Tame for Free
Some of the most exceptional horses in the game don’t cost a cent. They roam free in the wilderness, waiting for a skilled rider to tame them. Finding these mounts early can give you a significant advantage.
The Legendary White Arabian
Arguably the most famous free horse, the White Arabian is an elite steed with phenomenal base stats right from the start. It’s a member of the Superior class, boasting excellent speed and acceleration.
- Location: Found roaming the snowy banks northwest of Lake Isabella in the Grizzlies West.
- Taming Tip: Approach this skittish horse slowly, calming it repeatedly. It will spook easily, so patience is key. Once you’ve mounted it, be prepared for a challenge to break it.
The Warped Brindle Arabian
Another wild Arabian, this coat variation offers the same elite handling and impressive stats as its white counterpart. Its unique coat makes it a stylish choice for any outlaw.
- Location: Can be found in the hills west of the Wapiti Indian Reservation. This area often has wolves, so be prepared for a potential fight while tracking the horse.
The Tiger Striped Bay Mustang
The Mustang is a fantastic all-around horse, blending the sturdiness of a War horse with the agility of a Riding horse. It’s brave, reliable, and the Tiger Striped Bay coat is one of the most unique in the game.
- Location: This rare Mustang spawns in the south of New Austin, near the Rio Del Lobo Rock. Unfortunately, this means it’s only accessible during the epilogue.
The legendary White Arabian, one of all horses in RDR2 story mode, stands majestically in the snowy landscape near Lake Isabella.
Top-Tier Horses to Purchase from Stables
If taming wild beasts isn’t your style, the stables across the country offer some of the finest mounts money can buy. These horses become available as you progress through the story chapters. Much like learning how to get the best horse in rdr2 story mode, knowing when and where to buy is key.
Missouri Fox Trotter
Many players consider the Missouri Fox Trotter to be the best all-around horse in the game. It combines top-tier speed with excellent stamina and health, making it a jack-of-all-trades. Its Race handling is smooth and responsive.
- Availability: The Amber Champagne coat becomes available at the Scarlett Meadows Stable from Chapter 4, while the Silver Dapple Pinto is at the Blackwater Stable in the epilogue.
The Turkoman
The Turkoman is a fearless and formidable mount, blending the best qualities of a Race and War horse. It has high speed, excellent health, and is notoriously brave, rarely bucking you off in a gunfight or near predators.
- Availability: The Dark Bay, Gold, and Silver coats become available at various stables (Saint Denis, Blackwater, Tumbleweed) from Chapter 4 onwards.
Black Arabian
While you can find other Arabians in the wild, the Black Arabian is the pinnacle of the breed, boasting the highest stats of them all. It’s a purebred speed demon with Elite handling, but it comes with a hefty price tag.
- Availability: This elite horse can be purchased at the Saint Denis Stable starting in Chapter 4. There’s also a chance to steal one during a random event in the city if you’re feeling lucky.
Unique and Missable Horses in the Story
Beyond the wild and the stables, several unique horses are tied to specific missions or encounters. Acquiring them often requires special knowledge, and some can be permanently missed if you’re not careful. This hunt for special mounts shares a thrill with finding the fastest horse in rdr2 story.
Buell
Buell is a magnificent Dutch Warmblood with a unique Cremello Gold coat, belonging to the veteran Hamish Sinclair. This horse has fantastic stats, particularly in health and stamina, and is exceptionally brave.
- How to Get: You must complete the stranger mission series “The Veteran.” In the final mission, Hamish will gift Buell to you. It’s crucial to stable Buell immediately, especially if you are late in Arthur’s journey.
Raven Black Shire
At the beginning of Chapter 2, Hosea takes you on a hunting trip in the mission “Exit Pursued by a Bruised Ego.” He has you sell a Shire horse at the Valentine stable, but gives you the option to keep it. This Raven Black Shire is massive and its coat is unavailable anywhere else. While its stats aren’t top-tier, its uniqueness makes it a collector’s item.
Rachel
During the epilogue, John Marston is given a beautiful Seal Brown Thoroughbred named Rachel. This horse has a loyal temperament and decent stats, serving as John’s signature mount. While you automatically own her, she is a unique part of the story’s progression.
A player riding a powerful Gold Turkoman, representing the elite tier of all horses in RDR2 story, through the bustling streets of Saint Denis at dusk.
Comprehensive List of All RDR2 Story Horse Breeds
For the true completionist, here is a table of all 19 horse breeds you can find, buy, or steal in the Red Dead Redemption 2 story mode.
| Breed | Category | Common Coats | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Paint | Work | Overo, Tobiano | A sturdy and reliable workhorse. |
| American Standardbred | Race | Black, Buckskin, Palomino Dapple | One of the fastest breeds, great for racing. |
| Andalususian | War | Perlino, Rose Gray | A rare and brave war horse found in the wild. |
| Appaloosa | Work | Blanket, Leopard, Few Spotted | Known for their unique spotted coats and good stamina. |
| Arabian | Superior | White, Black, Red Chestnut, Warped Brindle | The fastest and most agile horses with elite handling. |
| Ardennes | War | Bay Roan, Strawberry Roan | The bravest horse breed, but slow. |
| Belgian Draft | Draft | Blond Chestnut, Mealy Chestnut | The largest and strongest horses, ideal for pulling. |
| Dutch Warmblood | Work | Sooty Buckskin, Chocolate Roan, Seal Brown | A large, healthy, and reliable workhorse. |
| Hungarian Halfbred | War | Dapple Dark Grey, Flaxen Chestnut | A common war horse that is brave and affordable. |
| Kentucky Saddler | Riding | Black, Chestnut Pinto, Gray, Silver Bay | A common and well-rounded riding horse. |
| Missouri Fox Trotter | Race/Work | Amber Champagne, Silver Dapple Pinto | A top-tier horse with elite speed and stamina. |
| Morgan | Riding | Bay, Bay Roan, Flaxen Chestnut, Palomino | A small but spirited and common riding horse. |
| Mustang | War/Work | Grullo Dun, Wild Bay, Tiger Striped Bay | A very brave and hardy horse found in the wild. |
| Nokota | Race | Blue Roan, White Roan, Reverse Dapple Roan | A fast but somewhat skittish breed. |
| Shire | Draft | Dark Bay, Light Gray, Raven Black | The gentle giants of the horse world. |
| Suffolk Punch | Draft | Red Chestnut, Sorrel | Another powerful draft horse breed. |
| Tennessee Walker | Riding | Black Rabicano, Chestnut, Dapple Bay, Red Roan | A very common horse found throughout the world. |
| Thoroughbred | Race | Brindle, Blood Bay, Dapple Gray | Lean, fast, and built for racing. |
| Turkoman | Race/War | Dark Bay, Gold, Silver | An elite horse combining speed, health, and bravery. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the absolute fastest horse in RDR2 story mode?
The Rose Gray Bay Arabian, available at the Blackwater stable in the epilogue, has the highest potential speed stat in the game when fully bonded and equipped with the best tack. However, the Missouri Fox Trotter and Turkoman are very close contenders and are often preferred for their better health and bravery.
Can I get New Austin horses as Arthur?
Officially, no. New Austin is locked until the epilogue. While players have used glitches and exploits in the past to cross the river as Arthur, it is not an intended part of the game, and these methods are often patched. The horses located there, like the Tiger Striped Bay Mustang, are meant for John.
Does a horse’s gender matter?
No, there is no statistical or gameplay difference between male and female horses in Red Dead Redemption 2. The choice is purely for cosmetic or role-playing preference.
How do I get my horse back if it dies?
If your horse is critically injured, you can revive it with a Horse Reviver tonic. However, if it dies completely, it is gone forever. The only exceptions are temporary horses or unique horses like Rachel, which may respawn. Always keep Horse Revivers on hand!
What is the bravest horse breed?
The Ardennes is classified as a War horse and is generally considered the bravest breed, being the least likely to buck you off during a fight. The Turkoman and Mustang breeds are also exceptionally courageous and are much faster alternatives.
In the world of Red Dead Redemption 2, your choice of horse is a deeply personal one. While this guide covers all horses in rdr2 story from a statistical and practical standpoint, the best horse is ultimately the one you connect with. Whether it’s a legendary Arabian you tamed in the snow or a humble Morgan you bought in Valentine, the adventures you share are what truly make your steed a legend. So saddle up, explore the vast frontier, and find the companion that’s right for you.
