Red Dead Redemption 2: A Deep Dive into Horse Breeds and Their Stats

Exploring the vast and immersive world of Red Dead Redemption 2 is an experience significantly enhanced by the freedom of horseback travel. Arthur Morgan has access to a remarkable variety of horses, each with distinct characteristics that influence their performance. Beyond mere aesthetics, these equine companions possess unique strengths, weaknesses, and behaviors that affect gameplay. While personal preference plays a role, certain breeds undeniably stand out for their superior capabilities.

The game features a total of 19 distinct horse breeds, with numerous coat variations bringing the total number of horse types to over 60. Players can acquire horses by purchasing them from stables or by taming them in the wild. Additionally, a wide array of equippable saddles can further enhance a horse’s statistics, which can also be improved by increasing your bond with your horse.

The Morgan: A Starting Point

The Morgan is a foundational horse breed in Red Dead Redemption 2, often encountered early in the game. It’s suitable for beginners due to its availability and ease of acquisition.

These horses are characterized by average Speed and Stamina, making them adequate for short journeys around the game’s map. However, their relatively low health and slower speed compared to other breeds limit their effectiveness in more demanding situations. Morgans can be found in the wild or purchased at Valentine Stable after progressing past Chapter 2. While the Bay Roan and Palomino variations can be bought, Arthur can also tame wild versions with Bay and Flaxen Chestnut coats.

The Kentucky Saddler: A Gentle Companion

Similar to the Morgan, the Kentucky Saddler is a common sight in RDR2, known for its calm disposition. This makes it an ideal choice for players who prefer a more relaxed riding experience over short distances.

While their gentle nature is a plus, Kentucky Saddlers are not particularly fast and have limited acceleration, offering only a slight improvement over Morgans in these areas. Various coat patterns, including Gray, Black, Chestnut Pinto, and Silver Bay, can be found in the wild, with the Gray variant also available for purchase in stables.

The Tennessee Walker: Style and Versatility

The Tennessee Walker is often lauded for its stylish appearance, making it a visually appealing option for players. Its statistics can vary depending on the specific coat.

This breed boasts seven different coat varieties, with Red Roan, Black Rabicano, Chestnut, and Dapple Bay being discoverable in the wild. Higher-tier Tennessee Walkers, particularly the Flaxen Roan and Dapple Dark Grey variants, offer improved Health and Stamina, making them more robust for longer journeys across Red Dead Redemption 2‘s extensive map. The Flaxen Roan, with four Health and five Stamina, can be acquired at Tumbleweed Stable after completing Epilogue Part 1.

Draft Horses: Strength and Utility

Breeds like the Belgian, Shire, and Suffolk Punch fall into the category of draft horses, designed for power and endurance rather than speed.

The Belgian

The Belgian is a sturdy draft horse, exceptionally useful for tasks requiring significant strength, such as pulling carts, carriages, and wagons.

These horses excel in Health and Stamina among the Heavy handling breeds and possess the fastest Acceleration within this category. Belgians are typically found in Blond Chestnut and Mealy Chestnut coats and can be acquired in the wild.

The Shire

As another draft horse, the Shire is built for heavy hauling and pulling. Its considerable strength makes it one of the most powerful breeds available.

Despite their strength, Shires are more challenging to handle due to their large size and weight. Their Speed and Stamina are only average, positioning them as less ideal for overall versatility. They come in Raven Black, Dark Bay, and Light Gray coats, all obtainable in the wild. The Raven Black coat provides a slight edge in Stamina.

The Suffolk Punch

The Suffolk Punch is characterized by its stocky build, making it well-suited for demanding farm labor and long working hours.

These horses are known for their sturdiness, health, and respectable Speed for their class. However, they are often difficult to handle due to their heavy nature and are primarily found in the wild in Red Chestnut and Sorrel coats.

Work Horses: Balancing Attributes

Work horses, such as the Appaloosa, offer a more balanced set of attributes suitable for various tasks.

The Appaloosa

The Appaloosa is a versatile work horse, excellent for ranch duties. It possesses good Health, Speed, Agility, and Stamina stats.

Appaloosas are commonly found in the midwestern regions of the game map. Players can purchase Leopard and Blanket coat variations, which generally have superior stats compared to wild-tamed versions. Lower-tier Appaloosas may exhibit less Health and Speed, making higher-quality variants more reliable.

Racehorses: Speed and Agility

For players prioritizing speed and quick getaways, racehorses like the Nokota, Thoroughbred, and American Standardbred are prime choices.

The Nokota

The Nokota is a distinguished racehorse breed, offering considerable Speed and Acceleration, making it ideal for rapid travel and evading pursuit.

While fast, racehorses like the Nokota can be challenging to control, requiring practice to fully utilize their potential without causing collisions. The majority of Nokotas are found in the western parts of the RDR2 map. The Reverse Dapple Roan variant, boasting superior speed, is available for purchase at Saint Denis Stable after Chapter 4. Blue Roan and White Roan variants can be tamed in the wild.

The Thoroughbred

Thoroughbreds are sleek and athletic horses built for racing, excelling in Stamina, Agility, and Acceleration for short, explosive sprints.

Though generally easy to handle, pushing them too hard can lead to clumsiness. The Brindle coat, offering the highest speed within this breed, can be purchased from stables, while the Blood Bay and Dapple Grey variants are found in the wild. A unique Seal Brown Thoroughbred named Rachel is obtainable at the start of the game’s epilogue.

The American Standardbred

The American Standardbred is another agile racehorse breed in RDR2, known for its impressive Stamina and Acceleration, allowing it to maintain high speeds over extended periods.

While the Silver Tail Buckskin variation shows improved stats, they still fall short compared to the game’s top-tier horses. American Standardbreds are among the fastest horses available, suitable for quick travel and combat scenarios where outmaneuvering opponents is crucial. They come in Palomino Dapple, Silver Tail Buckskin, Black, and Buckskin coats. The Palomino Dapple and Silver Tail Buckskin are available for purchase, while the Black and Buckskin can be tamed in the wild.

In conclusion, Red Dead Redemption 2 offers a rich selection of horses, each catering to different playstyles and needs. Whether you prioritize raw speed, unwavering endurance, or brute strength, there is an equine partner waiting to be discovered and bonded with on Arthur’s epic journey.