In the sprawling, unforgiving world of Red Dead Redemption 2, your horse is more than just a mode of transportation; it’s your most loyal companion, your lifeline, and a crucial extension of your cowboy persona. Finding the best horse in RDR2’s story mode isn’t just about raw speed or stamina; it’s about discovering a partner that complements your playstyle and enhances your immersion in the Wild West. While Arthur Morgan begins his journey with the dependable but unremarkable Nash, the game offers a diverse stable of steeds to acquire, each with their own strengths, weaknesses, and acquisition methods. This guide will delve into the prime locations and methods for finding top-tier horses throughout the RDR2 story, ensuring you’re never caught without a reliable mount.
Understanding Horse Stats and Bonding
Before embarking on your quest for the perfect equine, it’s essential to understand the core mechanics that define a horse’s performance:
- Health and Stamina: These are your horse’s fundamental attributes. Health dictates how much damage your horse can sustain, while Stamina governs its ability to sprint and perform strenuous actions. Higher stats mean a more resilient and capable partner.
- Speed and Acceleration: Speed determines how fast your horse can travel at a gallop, while Acceleration dictates how quickly it reaches that top speed. These are crucial for chases, races, and swift getaways.
- Reining: This stat influences how much control you have over your horse, especially during intense maneuvers or when spooked. A higher reining stat means a more responsive and less skittish mount.
- Bonding Level: This is perhaps the most critical factor. As you ride, groom, feed, and care for your horse, your bond level increases, unlocking new abilities such as whistling for your horse from greater distances, controlled drifts, and increased maximum health and stamina. There are four bonding levels, with Level 4 offering the most significant performance enhancements.
A detailed infographic showing the stats of various horses in Red Dead Redemption 2, including Health, Stamina, Speed, Acceleration, and Reining.
Pro-Tip: Don’t overlook the importance of bonding. Even a horse with slightly lower base stats can outperform a superior one at a lower bonding level, thanks to the abilities unlocked at higher levels.
Early Game: Reliable Mounts for the Evolving Outlaw
While the game doesn’t allow you to purchase the absolute best horses until later chapters, there are excellent options available relatively early on that will serve you well through Chapter 2 and beyond.
The American Standardbred
The American Standardbred is a balanced breed, offering a good mix of speed and stamina, making it a versatile choice for various situations. Its acceleration is also quite respectable.
- Where to Find Them: American Standardbreds are frequently found in the wild, particularly in the Heartlands and around Valentine. They are also commonly available for purchase at stables in Chapter 2 and onwards. Keep an eye out for them during your travels through New Hanover.
- Why it’s a Great Early Option: Their all-around performance makes them suitable for bounty hunting, exploring, and general traversal. They strike a good balance, meaning you won’t feel significantly hampered by any particular weakness early in the game.
The Kentucky Saddler
Similar to the Standardbred, the Kentucky Saddler offers a solid foundation with good stamina and decent speed. It’s another excellent choice for players who prioritize a comfortable ride and reliable performance.
- Where to Find Them: You’ll often encounter Kentucky Saddlers in the grassy plains of the Heartlands and Cumberland Forest. They are also a common sight in stables from Chapter 2.
- Why it’s a Great Early Option: Their comfort and reliability are key. If you find yourself spending a lot of time exploring or engaging in lengthy treks, the Kentucky Saddler’s stamina will be a welcome asset.
Mid-Game Acquisition: Stepping Up Your Equine Game
As Arthur’s story progresses into Chapter 3 and beyond, you’ll gain access to more exclusive breeds and better opportunities to acquire them. These horses offer noticeable improvements in speed, health, and stamina.
The Arabian (White)
The White Arabian is often considered one of the best horses available in the entire game, and remarkably, it can be acquired relatively early through a unique method. It boasts excellent stats across the board, particularly in speed and acceleration, and has high health and stamina once bonded.
- Where to Find It: This stunning steed can be found wild in the northwestern part of the map, near the Lake Isabella in the Big Valley region of West Elizabeth. It spawns in a specific area around the lake. You’ll need to approach it cautiously to tame it.
- Why it’s a Top-Tier Choice: Its impressive speed and acceleration, combined with high health and stamina at max bonding, make it exceptional for chases, races, and long-distance travel. Its elegant appearance is also a significant draw.
Important Note: The White Arabian is a wild horse. You cannot purchase it at a stable. You must find, tame, and then stable it yourself. It may take a few tries for it to spawn consistently, so be patient.
The Turkoman
The Turkoman is a powerhouse breed known for its exceptional speed and impressive health and stamina. It’s a robust and fast horse that excels in open-world traversal and high-speed pursuits.
- Where to Find Them: Turkomans are not commonly found in the wild. Your primary method of obtaining one will be through the stables. They become available for purchase at stables in Saint Denis and Blackwater starting from Chapter 3.
- Why it’s a Great Mid-Game Choice: If you prefer a horse that feels powerful and covers ground quickly, the Turkoman is an excellent investment. Its high base stats mean it performs exceptionally well even before reaching maximum bonding.
Late Game and Premium Steeds: The Pinnacle of Horsepower
By the later chapters of the story, you’ll have access to the most elite horses in the game, offering unparalleled performance for the game’s most demanding challenges.
The Arabian (Black and Rose-Gray)
Alongside its white counterpart, the Black and Rose-Gray Arabians are also exceptional horses with top-tier stats. They share the same advantages in speed, acceleration, health, and stamina as the White Arabian, making them equally desirable.
- Where to Find Them: These variants are not found wild. They are available for purchase at specific stables later in the game. The Black Arabian typically becomes available at the Saint Denis stable from Chapter 4. The Rose-Gray Arabian can be purchased at the Blackwater stable from the Epilogue onwards, though some players report finding it earlier.
- Why they are Elite Choices: Their balanced, high-end stats make them arguably the best all-around horses available in the game for story mode. They handle beautifully and possess the speed and endurance needed for any task.
The Missouri Fox Trotter
The Missouri Fox Trotter is renowned for its incredible speed and acceleration, coupled with excellent stamina. While its health might be slightly lower than some other top breeds, its sheer pace makes it ideal for players who want to cover ground as quickly as possible.
- Where to Find Them: The Missouri Fox Trotter is available for purchase at the Blackwater stable starting from Chapter 4. It’s a premium horse with a significant price tag, reflecting its top-tier capabilities.
- Why it’s a Speed Demon: If your priority is reaching your destination in record time, the Fox Trotter is your go-to. Its smooth gait and rapid acceleration are second to none, allowing you to outrun pursuers or reach objectives swiftly.
Where to Stable Your Prized Mounts
Every horse you tame or purchase needs a stable to call home. Stables are also where you can manage your horse’s equipment, change its coat, and purchase better saddles and stirrups, which further enhance your horse’s performance.
- St. Denis: Offers a wide selection of horses, including premium breeds like the Turkoman and Black Arabian.
- Blackwater: Features some of the most desirable horses, such as the Rose-Gray Arabian and Missouri Fox Trotter, particularly in the later stages of the game.
- Valentine, Strawberry, and Tumbleweed: These stables provide a good range of horses, especially useful in the earlier chapters.
Remember that each horse has a limited number of stable slots. You can typically own up to four horses at once, so choose wisely and ensure you have a stable slot available before taming a wild horse.
Conclusion: The Perfect Horse is Your Perfect Partner
Finding the best horse in Red Dead Redemption 2’s story mode is a rewarding journey that significantly enhances your gameplay experience. Whether you opt for the early-game reliability of a Kentucky Saddler, the wild-tamed elegance of the White Arabian, or the late-game speed of a Missouri Fox Trotter, the key is to find a horse whose stats and temperament match your playstyle. Remember to bond with your chosen steed, upgrade its equipment, and treat it with the respect it deserves. In the world of Red Dead Redemption 2, your horse is your lifeblood – choose wisely, ride strong, and forge an unforgettable bond.
