Navigating the vast world of Red Dead Redemption 2 can be a demanding task, particularly in the early stages of the game. Players will find themselves frequently traveling between their camp and various towns. While fast travel options exist, they are not always the most practical solution. Consequently, a significant amount of gameplay involves being on horseback. Ensuring you have the best possible steed can make your journey through early America a more enjoyable experience. This ranking focuses on the horses’ stats and their overall usefulness within the game.
19. Suffolk Punch
| Coat | Health | Stamina | Speed | Acceleration | Where To Find |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Chestnut | Low | Medium | 3 | 2 | Often attached to wagons. |
| Sorrel | Low | Medium | 3 | 2 | Often attached to wagons. |
The Suffolk Punch is a common sight in Red Dead Redemption 2, frequently seen pulling wagons. This makes them relatively easy to obtain, as they can often be stolen. Their large, heavy frames are well-suited for pulling coaches, and they possess decent health and stamina. While their speed is not exceptional, they are a dependable option overall.
18. Morgan
Attribution to GoldenPegasus5 via Fandom Wiki
| Coat | Health | Stamina | Speed | Acceleration | Where To Find |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bay | Low | Low | 3 | 2 | Find wandering around in the wild and populated areas. |
| Bay Roan | Low | Low | 3 | 2 | Find wandering around in the wild and populated areas. |
| Flaxen Chestnut | Low | Low | 3 | 2 | Find wandering around, and Duncan Geddes has this horse. |
| Liver Chestnut | Low | Medium | 4 | 2 | Find wandering around in the wild and populated areas. |
| Palomino | Low | Low | 3 | 2 | Find wandering around in the wild and populated areas. |
The Morgan breed shares its name with the game’s protagonist, Arthur Morgan, adding a layer of significance. While not the most exceptional horse in terms of raw stats, the Liver Chestnut variant offers solid speed and stamina. These horses are also widespread, making them convenient to find without extensive searching.
17. Kentucky Saddler
| Coat | Health | Stamina | Speed | Acceleration | Where To Find |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black | Low | Low | 3 | 2 | Wandering around in the wild. Also, some NPCs have them as their mounts. |
| Buttermilk Buckskin | Low | Low | 4 | 2 | Wandering around in the wild. Also, some NPCs have them as their mounts. |
| Chestnut Pinto | Low | Low | 3 | 2 | Wandering around in the wild. Also, some NPCs have them as their mounts. |
| Grey | Low | Low | 3 | 2 | Wandering around in the wild. Also, some NPCs have them as their mounts. |
| Sabino | Low | Low | 3 | 2 | The only one in the game is Uncle’s horse, Nell II. |
| Silver Bay | Low | Low | 3 | 2 | Wandering around in the wild. Also, some NPCs have them as their mounts. |
Although its stats may not be the most impressive, the Kentucky Saddler is an accessible horse suitable for short journeys. It offers slightly better speed and stamina than the Morgan and is more affordable. A notable advantage is its slightly higher health compared to other steeds in its class, making it a cost-effective choice for riskier endeavors where a horse’s survival is crucial.
16. Tennessee Walker
| Coat | Health | Stamina | Speed | Acceleration | Where To Find |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Rabicano | Low | Low | 2 | 2 | Wandering around in the wild. |
| Chestnut | Low | Low | 2 | 2 | Wandering around in the wild. |
| Dapple Bay | Low | Low | 2 | 2 | Wandering around in the wild. |
| Flaxen Roan | Medium | Medium | 3 | 3 | Available to buy at the Tumbleweed stable in the Epilogue. Kieran has a Flaxen Roan horse. |
| Gold Palomino | Low | Medium | 3 | 2 | Wandering around in the wild. |
| Mahogany Bay | Low | Medium | 2 | 2 | Arthur acquires the horse in the first mission. |
| Red Roan | Low | Low | 2 | 2 | Wandering around in the wild. |
| Scarred Black Rabicano | Medium | Medium | 3 | 3 | Found during the That’s Murfree Country mission if you choose to take the canoes. |
The Tennessee Walker is among the first horses players encounter and is commonly ridden by NPCs. Like the Morgan and Kentucky Saddler, its stats are modest but reliable for early-game travel. A standout feature is its diverse range of coats, offering six distinct appearances. Importantly, these horses tend to remain calm during gunfire, making them a dependable companion during shootouts.
15. Belgian Draft
| Coat | Health | Stamina | Speed | Acceleration | Where To Find |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blond Chestnut | Low | Low | 3 | 3 | Often seen pulling wagons and carts. |
| Mealy Chestnut | Low | Low | 3 | 3 | Often seen pulling wagons and carts. |
The Belgian Draft stands out as one of the best basic horses available. This breed, falling into the lower tier of draft horses, comes in two distinct coats. Similar to the Tennessee Walker, they exhibit remarkable calmness during combat, a trait not shared by all horses in the game. However, their heavy build can result in a somewhat sluggish riding experience. Belgian Draft horses cannot be purchased from stables or found in the wild; they are exclusively encountered pulling wagons and carts in towns.
14. Shire
| Coat | Health | Stamina | Speed | Acceleration | Where To Find |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Bay | Medium | Low | 3 | 2 | Often seen pulling wagons and coaches. |
| Light Bay | Medium | Low | 3 | 2 | Often seen pulling wagons and coaches. |
| Raven Black | Medium | Medium | 3 | 2 | During Exit Pursued by a Bruised Ego, you take a Raven Black Shire to the stables in Valentine at Hosea’s request. |
For players seeking a large horse, the Shire is an excellent choice. These substantial animals, like the Suffolk Punch, are commonly used for pulling wagons and stagecoaches. Statistically, they boast good health, along with decent stamina and speed. Most Shire variants can be acquired by stealing them while free-roaming. The superior Raven Black variant can be obtained during the “Exit Pursued By A Bruised Ego” mission in Chapter Two. While the mission encourages selling this horse, players have the option to keep it.
13. Appaloosa
| Coat | Health | Stamina | Speed | Acceleration | Where To Find |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blanket | Low | Medium | 3 | 3 | Wandering around in the wild, and used as Lawmen mounts. |
| Brown Leopard | Medium | Medium | 4 | 3 | Available at the Tumbelweed Stable in the Epilogue. Also, Trelawny has this horse. |
| Few Spot Buckskin | Low | Medium | 3 | 3 | Uncle has a Few Spot Buckskin in the Epilogue. |
| Few Spotted | Low | Medium | 3 | 3 | Wandering around in the wild and in NPC camps. |
| Grey Snowcap Spotted | Low | Medium | 3 | 3 | Charles’ horse. |
| Leopard | Medium | High | 4 | 3 | Buy from the Van Horn Trading Post stable. |
| Scarred Blanket | Low | Low | 2 | 2 | Found during the That’s Murfree Country mission if you choose to take the canoes. |
The Appaloosa is a favored breed among Arthur’s companions, with Charles, Trelawny, and Uncle all owning one. This popularity is well-deserved due to the horse’s well-rounded capabilities. It offers respectable speed and health, coupled with moderate handling. Its standout attribute is its exceptional stamina, making it highly resilient for long-distance travel. However, its weaker acceleration may not be ideal for sprint races.
12. American Paint
| Coat | Health | Stamina | Speed | Acceleration | Where To Find |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grey Overo | Medium | Medium | 4 | 4 | Available at the Tumbelweed Stable in the Epilogue. Also, Javier’s horse is a Grey Overo. |
| Overo | Low | Medium | 3 | 3 | Wandering around in the wild. |
| Palomino Splashed White | Low | Medium | 3 | 3 | Eagle Flies rides a Palomino Splashed White American Paint horse during missions. |
| Splashed White | Low | Medium | 3 | 3 | Found in NPC camps. |
| Tobiano | Low | Medium | 3 | 3 | Wandering around in the wild. |
In terms of stats, the American Paint is very similar to the Appaloosa. This breed also boasts excellent stamina, complemented by decent speed and average health. Its primary drawback is a lack of acceleration, though this is less of an issue if the horse is leveled up. While a version of this horse can be purchased at the Tumbleweed stables, many can be found roaming the wild, offering a more economical acquisition method. However, players should refrain from attempting to steal Javier’s horse.
11. American Standardbred
| Coat | Health | Stamina | Speed | Acceleration | Where To Find |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black | Low | Low | 4 | 3 | Wandering around in the wild. |
| Buckskin | Low | Low | 4 | 3 | Wandering around in the wild. |
| Palomino Dapple | Low | Low | 5 | 4 | Available from the stable in Valentine. |
| Silver Tail Buckskin | Medium | Medium | 5 | 5 | Available from the stable in Tumbleweed during the Epilogue. Sean’s horse is a Silver Tail Buckskin. |
The American Standardbred is a strong contender for players seeking an affordable racehorse. Its statistics align with typical racehorse attributes, featuring high speed and respectable acceleration. However, its lower stamina and health make it less suitable for extensive journeys. For quick sprints and races, the Standardbred is an excellent and cost-effective choice.
10. Dutch Warmblood
| Coat | Health | Stamina | Speed | Acceleration | Where To Find |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chocolate Roan | Medium | Medium | 4 | 3 | Available from the stable in Valentine. |
| Cremello Gold | Medium | Medium | 5 | 5 | Hamish’s horse, Buell, is a Cremello Gold Dutch Warmblood. You can get the horse at the end of The Veteran side quest. |
| Seal Brown | Medium | Medium | 3 | 3 | Available from the stable in Strawberry. |
| Sooty Buckskin | Medium | Medium | 3 | 3 | Available from the stable in Scarlett Meadows. |
The Dutch Warmblood is recognized as a capable workhorse in RDR2, offering a balanced combination of stamina, health, and speed. Its main weakness lies in its acceleration, which is not ideal for racing but perfectly adequate for general travel and work-related tasks. Players can acquire a Dutch Warmblood from the Valentine stable after Chapter Two, or from the Scarlett Meadows or Strawberry Stables after Chapter Three. A special variant, Buell, a Cremello Gold Dutch Warmblood, can be obtained by completing “The Veteran” side quest.
