Welcome, fellow cowboys and cowgirls, to the rugged plains and untamed wilderness of Red Dead Redemption 2! As your trusted equine training expert, I’m here to guide you through the essential art of horse training in this incredible game. Mastering your steed isn’t just about having the fastest horse; it’s about forging a bond, understanding their needs, and unlocking their full potential to navigate the Wild West. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just starting your journey, this guide will equip you with the knowledge to train your horses like a true professional.
The bond between a rider and their horse is central to the RDR2 experience. Your horse is more than just a mode of transportation; it’s your partner in crime, your loyal companion, and often, your escape route. Understanding how to effectively train your horse will not only improve its performance in various situations but also deepen your immersion in the game’s rich world. This guide will cover everything from the basics of horse bonding to advanced training techniques, ensuring you and your equine friend are ready for any challenge the game throws your way.
The Fundamentals of Horse Bonding
In Red Dead Redemption 2, horse bonding is a core mechanic that directly influences your horse’s performance and abilities. As you spend time with your horse – riding, grooming, feeding, and calming it – your bond level increases. There are typically ten bond levels, and each level unlocks new abilities, such as improved acceleration, turning speed, and the ability to perform advanced maneuvers like skids and rear-ups.
How Bonding Levels Work
- Level 1-3 (Basic Partnership): At these initial levels, your horse will respond to basic commands and have standard stamina and speed. You’ll start to feel a slight increase in responsiveness as you gain experience.
- Level 4-7 (Developing Trust): Your horse becomes more reliable. You’ll notice improvements in acceleration and turning. The ability to perform simple skids and call your horse from a moderate distance becomes available.
- Level 8-10 (Masterful Companionship): This is where your horse truly shines. At max bond, you gain access to all advanced maneuvers, including controlled four-wheel drifts and the ability to jump over obstacles with greater confidence. Your horse’s stamina core will also be significantly improved, allowing for longer rides without fatigue.
Activities That Boost Bonding
- Riding: Simply spending time in the saddle is the most fundamental way to increase bond. Explore the vast map, travel between missions, and engage in free-roam activities.
- Feeding: Keep your horse’s cores full by feeding it appropriate food. This can be done directly from your inventory or by purchasing feed from stable masters.
- Grooming: Using a brush on your horse not only keeps it clean but also significantly boosts the bonding level. Find your brush in the item wheel under “Horse”.
- Calming: When your horse is spooked by predators, gunfire, or other environmental factors, use the ‘Calm’ button (R1/RB on controllers) to soothe it. This action, when done effectively, provides a substantial bonding boost.
- Avoiding Negative Interactions: While not directly increasing bond, consistently avoiding situations that scare or harm your horse will prevent bond decay and maintain positive progress.
Training Your Horse: Unlocking Advanced Maneuvers
Beyond the passive bonding system, RDR2 offers active training methods to teach your horse specific maneuvers. These are crucial for combat, evasion, and general utility. You’ll need to reach certain bonding levels before these advanced skills become available.
Key Maneuvers and How to Execute Them
The Skid (or Drift): Essential for sharp turns and evading pursuers.
- When Available: Typically around Bond Level 4.
- Execution: While riding at a gallop, press the brake button (Square/X) and simultaneously turn the direction stick sharply. Your horse will slide sideways, allowing for rapid changes in direction. Practice this in open areas to get a feel for it.
The Mount/Dismount: Basic, but crucial for quick transitions.
- Execution: Press the dismount button (Triangle/Y) to quickly get off your horse, and the mount button (X/A) to quickly get on.
The Hitch: Tying your horse to a post.
- Execution: Approach a hitching post and press the designated button. You can also tie your horse to trees or other objects in the environment, though this is less secure.
The Gallop and Sprint: Maximizing speed.
- Execution: Repeatedly tap the sprint button (Circle/B) to increase your horse’s speed. Your horse’s stamina core will deplete faster during a sprint. Keep an eye on it and provide an “Energy Tonic” or “Horse Stimulant” if needed.
The Rear (or Buck Off): A powerful defensive move.
- When Available: Around Bond Level 7 or higher.
- Execution: While at a near standstill or slow trot, pull back on the direction stick and repeatedly tap the brake button. Your horse will rear up on its hind legs, which can unseat enemies riding with you or deter attackers.
The Brave Gallop: Riding fearlessly through danger.
- When Available: Max Bond (Level 10).
- Execution: At higher bond levels, your horse becomes much less likely to spook from gunfire, predators, or during intense combat. This allows you to maintain control and speed even in chaotic situations.
The Importance of Horse Stats
Every horse in RDR2 has distinct stats that determine its capabilities. While training and bonding improve performance, the base stats of the horse breed you choose play a significant role.
- Health: Represents the horse’s total health. Higher health means it can withstand more damage.
- Stamina: Governs how long a horse can sprint before its stamina core is depleted.
- Speed: The maximum base speed of the horse.
- Acceleration: How quickly the horse reaches its top speed. This is heavily influenced by bonding.
- Riding Speed: This stat is a bit more nuanced, representing the horse’s speed when not actively sprinting but maintaining a fast trot or canter.
When selecting a horse, consider your playstyle. Do you need a speedy horse for races and quick travel? A robust horse for combat and durability? Or a balanced horse for all-around performance? Researching different breeds and their stats before purchasing is a wise investment. You can check a horse’s stats in the Stable menu.
Different Types of Horse Training Scenarios
Combat Training
In RDR2, battles are often fast-paced and chaotic. Your horse’s training is paramount for survival and success.
- Mounted Combat: Practice shooting from horseback. A higher bond allows for more stable aiming and quicker reactions. Mastering the skid is invaluable for dodging enemy fire and repositioning yourself for a clear shot.
- Evasion: When outnumbered or outgunned, your horse’s ability to accelerate quickly and perform sharp turns can be the difference between life and death. Always keep your horse calm and ready to move.
- Using the Rear: If enemies get too close, a well-timed rear can dismount them, giving you a crucial advantage.
Exploration and Travel
The RDR2 world is vast and filled with secrets. Training enhances your exploration capabilities.
- Endurance: A high-bond horse has better stamina, allowing you to travel longer distances without needing to rest or replenish its core as frequently.
- Navigating Terrain: Your horse’s acceleration and speed training helps you traverse varied terrains, from muddy swamps to steep mountain paths, more efficiently.
- Jumping: As your bond increases, your horse becomes more confident in jumping over obstacles, bushes, and small fences, opening up shortcuts and allowing for more fluid movement across the landscape.
Racing and Competitive Events
If you enjoy the thrill of horse racing, bonding and training are non-negotiable.
- Sprint Management: Understanding when to sprint and when to conserve stamina is key. Max bond horses have superior stamina regeneration.
- Drifting Techniques: Mastering the skid is essential for navigating tight corners in races without losing too much speed.
- Horse Selection: For racing, prioritize horses with high speed and acceleration stats, then focus on maxing their bond.
Advanced Tips for Elite Horse Training
- Consistency is Key: Regular interaction—riding, grooming, feeding—is the fastest way to build bond. Don’t neglect your horse, even for a few in-game days.
- Use Horse Stimulants Wisely: These tonics provide a temporary boost to your horse’s stamina core. Use them during critical moments like intense chases, races, or when you need to cover long distances quickly.
- Keep Your Horse Clean: A clean horse is a happy horse, and it contributes to bonding. Visit a stable to get your horse professionally groomed, or use your own brush regularly.
- Learn Your Horse’s Quirks: Different breeds have different temperaments. Some might be more easily spooked, while others are naturally calmer. Observe your horse’s behavior to anticipate its reactions.
- Consider Horse Tack: Upgrading your saddle and stirrups at a stable can significantly improve your horse’s core stats, particularly stamina regeneration and the size of the stamina bar. This complements your training efforts.
Embarking on the journey of horse training in Red Dead Redemption 2 is as rewarding as it is essential. By understanding the bonding system, practicing advanced maneuvers, and choosing the right steed, you’ll forge an unbreakable partnership that will see you through countless adventures. So saddle up, keep your horse happy and healthy, and ride into the sunset with confidence. Your ultimate cowboy or cowgirl experience awaits!
