Riding through the heart of West Elizabeth under a moonless sky, with the howl of a distant wolf as your only companion, is peak Red Dead Redemption 2. But when you’re trying to track a legendary animal or evade a bounty hunter ambush, that atmospheric darkness becomes a real problem. Many players wonder how to put a lantern on a horse in RDR2 Story Mode, hoping for a hands-free light source. The good news is, you can get one. The bad news? You’ll have to wait a while.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the horse lantern, from how to unlock it to why it’s one of the best quality-of-life upgrades in the game. We’ll illuminate the exact mission, explain its uses, and explore other essential gear for your trusted steed.
The Simple Answer: When Do You Get the Horse Lantern?
Let’s cut right to the chase. You cannot buy, craft, or find a horse lantern as a random item in the world. The horse lantern is an automatic, non-removable upgrade that you receive during a specific story mission in the game’s epilogue.
This means you cannot get the horse lantern while playing as Arthur Morgan. It is exclusively available to John Marston after the main story concludes. While this might be disappointing for those hoping to use it in the early chapters, it serves as a rewarding upgrade for players who see the story through to its end.
The Key Mission: Unlocking the Lantern in “A New Future Imagined”
The horse lantern becomes available during the Epilogue – Part 2 mission titled “A New Future Imagined.” During this mission, John Marston goes on a romantic trip into Blackwater with Abigail. As part of the mission’s events, you’ll purchase a pre-saddled horse, and the seller, a character named Mr. Crewe, includes an electric lantern with it as a modern convenience.
Once you complete this mission, the lantern is permanently affixed to the breastplate of your saddle. From that point on, any horse that you own and saddle will automatically have the lantern equipped. You don’t need to do anything extra to install it; it’s yours for good.
Can You Miss the Horse Lantern?
Absolutely not. The acquisition of the horse lantern is a scripted event within a mandatory story mission. It is impossible to progress through the epilogue without unlocking it. There are no special conditions or hidden requirements; simply play the story, and you will eventually receive this invaluable piece of equipment.
A close-up of a horse in Red Dead Redemption 2 at night, with the electric horse lantern on its chest casting a bright, warm glow on the trail ahead.
How to Use Your New Horse Lantern: A Step-by-Step Guide
Once unlocked, using the horse lantern is incredibly simple and integrates seamlessly into the existing controls. It’s designed to be a convenient, hands-free alternative to the handheld lantern.
The horse lantern is operated using the same button sequence as your handheld lantern, but only when you are on or very near your horse.
Operating the Horse Lantern:
- On PlayStation (PS4/PS5): Press and hold the L1 button to open the weapon wheel. Navigate to the “Items” tab on the right using the R1 button. Select the bottom slot where your lantern is located (it will now show a horse icon) and release L1.
- On Xbox (One/Series X|S): Press and hold the LB button to open the weapon wheel. Navigate to the “Items” tab using the RB button. Highlight the lantern slot at the bottom and release LB.
- On PC: Press and hold the “Tab” key to open the weapon wheel. Use your mouse to navigate to the “Items” tab. Select the lantern slot to toggle it on or off.
You can turn the lantern on and off at will. It emits a strong, steady beam of light directly in front of your horse, making nighttime travel significantly safer and easier.
Why the Horse Lantern is a Game-Changer
While the handheld lantern gets the job done, the horse lantern offers several distinct advantages that truly change how you approach the world after dark.
As seasoned bounty hunter Dr. Alistair Finch once noted, “The dark is a predator’s best friend and a traveler’s worst enemy. A steady light, mounted and mobile, doesn’t just cut through the black; it carves a path to safety. It turns the hunter into the hunted.”
Key Benefits of the Horse Lantern:
- Hands-Free Operation: This is the biggest advantage. With the horse lantern active, your hands are free to hold a weapon. You can aim and shoot your rifle or revolver while riding, all without sacrificing visibility. This is crucial for fending off ambushes from gangs like the Murfree Brood or Skinner Brothers.
- Improved Predator Detection: The lantern’s beam cuts through the darkness, making it much easier to spot the glowing eyes of predators like cougars, wolves, and bears before they get too close. This gives you precious seconds to react, either by calming your horse or preparing to fight.
- Easier Navigation and Collection: Searching for specific herbs, collectibles, or clues for a tracking mission at night becomes a breeze. The lantern illuminates a wide area in front of you, ensuring you don’t ride right past that crucial patch of Indian Tobacco or a hidden dinosaur bone.
- Enhanced Immersion: Beyond its practical uses, the horse lantern adds to the game’s incredible atmosphere. Riding through a misty forest with your lantern casting long, dancing shadows is a cinematic experience that makes the world feel even more alive.
Handheld Lantern vs. Horse Lantern: A Quick Comparison
Both light sources have their place in the world of Red Dead Redemption 2. Understanding their strengths and weaknesses will help you decide which one is right for the situation.
Handheld Lantern
- Pros: Can be used anywhere, on or off your horse. Useful for exploring dark interiors of cabins, caves, and mines where your horse can’t go.
- Cons: Occupies one of your hands, meaning you cannot hold a two-handed weapon. You must put it away to engage in combat effectively.
Horse Lantern
- Pros: Completely hands-free, allowing for full use of your arsenal while riding. Provides a wider and more stable beam of light when on horseback.
- Cons: Only works when you are on or near your main horse. Useless for exploring areas where your horse isn’t present.
John Marston standing proudly next to his horse in Red Dead Redemption 2, showcasing the saddle, saddlebags, and the electric horse lantern on its chest.
Beyond the Lantern: Other Essential RDR2 Horse Gear
While knowing how to put a lantern on a horse in RDR2 Story Mode is a great step, true mastery of the frontier requires a fully outfitted steed. The Trapper and local Stables offer a wealth of upgrades that improve your horse’s performance and your own capabilities.
Key Horse Upgrades:
- Saddles: Investing in a high-quality saddle from the Stable is one of the best upgrades you can make. Better saddles provide significant boosts to your horse’s Core Health and Stamina regeneration rates and reduce Stamina drain.
- Saddlebags: Upgraded saddlebags, purchased from the Stable, are essential for any adventurer. They increase the number of outfits you can store on your horse from three to five, allowing you to prepare for any weather condition without having to return to your wardrobe.
- Stirrups: Don’t neglect the stirrups! Upgraded stirrups, also from the Stable, provide a major speed and acceleration boost to your horse and significantly reduce the rate at which its stamina drains while galloping.
By combining the best saddle, saddlebags, and stirrups with the utility of the horse lantern, your equine companion will be a true force of nature, ready for any challenge the untamed west throws your way.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are some common questions players have about the horse lantern in Red Dead Redemption 2.
Can you customize the horse lantern?
No, the horse lantern cannot be customized. It has a single, default appearance and cannot be changed or modified at the Stable or Trapper.
Will the lantern run out of power?
No, the electric lantern has an infinite power source. You never have to worry about it running out of batteries or fuel. You can use it as much as you want without any need for maintenance.
Does the horse lantern transfer to new horses?
Yes. The lantern is technically tied to your saddle, not the horse itself. Whenever you move your main saddle to a new horse that you own, the lantern will come with it.
Can you lose or sell the horse lantern?
No, it is a permanent story upgrade. You cannot lose, sell, or discard the horse lantern once you have unlocked it during the “A New Future Imagined” mission.
Why can’t I use the horse lantern?
If you’re in the epilogue and have completed the mission but the lantern won’t turn on, make sure you are on your horse or standing right next to it. The option will be greyed out in the item wheel if you are too far away from your steed.
Conclusion: Lighting Up the Wild West
The horse lantern is more than just a simple light; it’s a symbol of progress in the changing world of Red Dead Redemption 2 and an incredibly practical tool for any nighttime adventurer. While you have to wait until the epilogue to get it, the ability to navigate and defend yourself in the dark with both hands free is a reward well worth the patience. Understanding how to put a lantern on a horse in RDR2 Story Mode is about understanding the game’s own narrative journey—moving from the rugged survivalism of the main story to the more settled, modern conveniences of John’s new life. So saddle up, switch on your light, and ride confidently into the darkest corners of the frontier.
