Embarking on your journey through the untamed American West in Red Dead Redemption 2’s story mode is an experience that thrives on the bond between a cowboy and his steed. Your horse isn’t just a mode of transport; it’s your loyal companion, your escape route, and your partner in every adventure. Choosing the best horse can significantly impact your gameplay, affecting everything from travel speed to combat effectiveness. This guide will delve deep into uncovering the finest equine partners available in RDR2 story mode, helping you find the perfect match for your outlaw exploits.
The world of Red Dead Redemption 2 is vast, and while many horses can be purchased or found, not all are created equal. Factors like speed, acceleration, health, stamina, and even temperament play a crucial role in determining a horse’s overall value. Understanding these stats and knowing where to look for the best breeds can give you a significant edge. Whether you’re a seasoned outlaw or a greenhorn just starting, finding a superior horse early on can transform your experience.
Understanding Horse Stats in RDR2
Before we dive into specific breeds, let’s break down what those stats on the horse information screen actually mean. Each horse has core attributes that define its capabilities:
- Health: This represents the horse’s vitality. A higher health stat means your horse can withstand more damage before it collapses or dies. This is crucial for surviving intense shootouts or dangerous encounters.
- Stamina: This dictates how long your horse can sprint. All horses have a stamina core and a stamina bar. The core replenishes slowly, while the bar depletes with sprinting. You can temporarily boost stamina by calming your horse.
- Speed: This determines the horse’s maximum top speed when its stamina is fully utilized. Faster horses allow you to cover ground more quickly, essential for missions, evading lawmen, or simply exploring the expansive map.
- Acceleration: This measures how quickly a horse reaches its top speed. A horse with high acceleration will feel more responsive and can quickly surge forward, which is invaluable for quick getaways or charging into battle.
- Rooting (Discipline): While not a visible stat, this refers to how easily a horse is spooked by predators, gunfire, or snakes. Some breeds are more prone to bucking their rider off than others.
Beyond these core stats, Bonding Level is paramount. As you ride, groom, feed, and care for your horse, your bonding level increases, unlocking new abilities like side-jumping, drifting, and improved performance across all stats. The highest bonding level is 4.
Top Horse Breeds and Their Locations
Red Dead Redemption 2 features a diverse range of horse breeds, each with unique strengths and weaknesses. Here, we’ll focus on some of the most sought-after horses that offer excellent performance for story mode players.
Arabian Horse: The Nimble Conqueror
The Arabian is consistently ranked among the best horses in RDR2, especially for its stellar stats relative to its acquisition point. There are three coat variants available in story mode:
- White Arabian: This is arguably the most iconic and highly desired horse. You can find and tame the White Arabian in the wild, specifically at the northwestern corner of the map, Lake Isabella, in the Grizzlies West region. It’s a wild horse, so approach with caution. It boasts excellent speed and acceleration, making it a fantastic all-around performer once tamed and bonded.
- Black Arabian: This variant is a purchasable horse found at the Blackwater Stable starting from Chapter 6. It offers similar impressive stats to the White Arabian but comes at a significant cost.
- Spotted Arabian: This coat is also available for purchase at the St. Denis Stable from Chapter 6 onwards. Like its counterparts, it offers top-tier performance.
Why it’s great: The Arabian horse excels in speed and acceleration, making it incredibly responsive and quick. Its smaller size also means it can maneuver through tight spaces more easily than larger breeds. While its health and stamina are not the absolute highest, they are more than adequate, especially with a high bonding level.
Buell: The Stalwart War Horse
Buell is a unique horse you can acquire through a specific side questline involving the character Albert Mason. After completing his “A Moment’s Peace” stranger mission series, you’ll eventually be rewarded with his horse, Buell. This horse is a War Horse breed, known for its exceptional health and stamina.
Location: Buell is obtained by completing Albert Mason’s stranger missions, which involve photographing legendary animals. You’ll find him at Mason’s ranch in the northern part of the map.
Why it’s great: Buell is a tank. Its high health and stamina make it incredibly resilient, perfect for long journeys or combat-heavy situations where you need a horse that can take a beating and keep going. While not the fastest, its endurance and fortitude are unmatched among many other breeds. It’s a loyal and dependable companion.
Turkoman: The Elegant Speedster
The Turkoman is another top-tier breed available for purchase. It’s renowned for its balance of speed, acceleration, and good health. It comes in three distinct coats:
- Gold Turkoman: Available for purchase at the Tumbleweed Stable from Chapter 5 onwards.
- Silver Turkoman: Can be bought at the Blackwater Stable from Chapter 6.
- Dark Bay Turkoman: Purchaseable at the St. Denis Stable from Chapter 4.
Why it’s great: The Turkoman offers a fantastic blend of performance. It’s fast, accelerates well, and has solid health, making it a versatile choice for almost any playstyle. Its sleek appearance also adds to its appeal. If you’re looking for a reliable horse that doesn’t compromise on speed or durability, the Turkoman is an excellent option.
Missouri Fox Trotter: The Ultimate All-Rounder
The Missouri Fox Trotter is often considered the best overall horse in the game due to its exceptional stats across the board, especially when fully bonded. They boast high speed, excellent acceleration, and very good health and stamina.
There are two coat variants available for purchase:
- Sleek Black Missouri Fox Trotter: Available at the Blackwater Stable from Chapter 6.
- Silver Dapple Missouri Fox Trotter: Available at the St. Denis Stable from Chapter 6.
Why it’s great: This breed truly embodies the ideal horse. It’s fast enough to outrun most threats, has the stamina for extended travel, and enough health to survive tough fights. Its “Fox Trot” gait is also exceptionally smooth, making long rides more comfortable. If you’re aiming for the absolute best performance and can afford it, the Missouri Fox Trotter is hard to beat.
Other Notable Horses and Where to Find Them
While the above are top contenders, RDR2 offers many other viable options:
- Nokota (Reverse Dapple Roan): This is a fast and spirited horse, similar in performance to the Turkoman. You can find this specific coat tamed near Twin Stack Pass in the northern part of the map. It’s a wild horse, so be prepared to break it.
- Endurance Breeds (e.g., Shire, Ardennes): If raw power and health are your priority, breeds like the Shire or Ardennes, often found as draft horses or purchased from stables, offer massive health pools and good stamina, though they sacrifice speed and acceleration. These are excellent for players who prefer a more “armored” mount.
- Morgan: A good starter horse, easily available early in the game from stables. It offers decent all-around stats and is quite responsive, making it a solid companion until you can afford better.
Wild Horse Variants and Taming
Throughout the world, you’ll encounter various wild horses. Taming a wild horse involves a mini-game where you must approach it carefully, jump on its back, and then use your analog sticks to fight its attempts to throw you off. Once tamed, you can ride it. However, wild horses generally have lower base stats than their stable-bought counterparts, and their potential for improvement through bonding may be capped. Still, taming a unique coat variant like the White Arabian or the Nokota (Reverse Dapple Roan) can be incredibly rewarding.
Factors Beyond Stats: Bonding and Personal Preference
Remember, the “best” horse is also subjective and depends on your playstyle.
- For speed and agility: The Arabian is king. Its quick acceleration and nimble handling make it perfect for navigating treacherous terrain and escaping ambushes.
- For survivability and long treks: Buell or any of the heavy draft breeds offer superior resilience and endurance.
- For a balanced experience: The Turkoman and Missouri Fox Trotter offer the best of all worlds, providing high performance in speed, acceleration, health, and stamina.
Crucially, bonding with your horse is essential. Even a horse with slightly lower base stats can become a formidable partner when you reach Level 4 bonding. The unlocked abilities, combined with the boosted performance, can elevate any horse to elite status.
Conclusion: Your Perfect Partner Awaits
Finding the best horse in RDR2 story mode is a quest in itself, blending exploration, a bit of luck, and understanding the game’s mechanics. Whether you opt for the wild elegance of the White Arabian, the brute strength of Buell, the balanced performance of a Turkoman, or the ultimate all-rounder in the Missouri Fox Trotter, your chosen steed will be integral to your success and enjoyment in the world of Red Dead Redemption 2. So saddle up, explore the vast landscapes, and forge an unbreakable bond with your four-legged companion. The open range awaits your command.
