Red Dead Redemption 2 wouldn’t be the iconic game it is without its horses. These magnificent creatures are your primary mode of transportation, your loyal companions, and even crucial tools for hunting and combat. Whether you’re a seasoned gunslinger or a newcomer to the Wild West, understanding how to acquire, care for, and bond with your horse is essential for a truly immersive and enjoyable experience. This guide will walk you through the process of buying a horse in Red Dead Redemption 2, covering everything from where to find them to what factors to consider before making your purchase, along with essential bonding tips.
Understanding Horse Breeds and Stats
Before you even think about opening your wallet, it’s important to understand that not all horses are created equal in Red Dead Redemption 2. Each breed possesses unique stats and characteristics that can significantly impact your gameplay. These stats are primarily:
- Health: Determines how much damage your horse can withstand before being injured or killed. Higher health is crucial for surviving long rides and intense combat scenarios.
- Stamina: Dictates how long your horse can sprint and gallop before becoming exhausted. A high stamina rating is essential for covering large distances and escaping danger.
- Speed: The maximum speed your horse can achieve. A faster horse allows you to outrun enemies, reach destinations quickly, and win races (if you choose to partake).
- Acceleration: How quickly your horse can reach its top speed. Good acceleration is helpful for navigating tricky terrain and responding to sudden threats.
- Handling: Affects your horse’s responsiveness to your commands. Better handling allows for tighter turns and more precise movements, crucial in hectic situations. Handling is typically categorized as Standard, Race, Heavy, or Elite.
Different breeds excel in different areas. For example:
- Arabians: Renowned for their speed and handling, Arabians are considered some of the best horses in the game. They are often skittish, however, and require a strong bond to handle effectively.
- Thoroughbreds: Bred for racing, Thoroughbreds boast exceptional speed and stamina. They are a good choice for players who prioritize getting from point A to point B quickly.
- Missouri Fox Trotters: Another excellent racing breed, Missouri Fox Trotters offer a good balance of speed, stamina, and health. They are often more courageous than Arabians.
- Mustangs: Tough and resilient, Mustangs are known for their bravery and stamina. They are well-suited for rough terrain and combat situations.
- Appaloosas: Versatile and hardy, Appaloosas offer a good balance of stats and are known for their distinctive spotted coats.
- Shire Horses: Powerful and imposing, Shire horses are the draft horses of the game. They have exceptional health and strength, making them ideal for hauling heavy loads and intimidating enemies. They are, however, slow and clumsy.
Where to Buy Horses: Stables Locations
The primary way to purchase horses in Red Dead Redemption 2 is by visiting stables. These establishments are located throughout the game world, in various towns and settlements. Here’s a list of stable locations:
- Valentine: Located in the town of Valentine, just north of the general store. This is one of the first stables you’ll encounter in the game.
- Strawberry: Found in the town of Strawberry, nestled in the mountains of West Elizabeth.
- Rhodes: Situated in the town of Rhodes, in the southern region of Lemoyne.
- Saint Denis: Located in the bustling city of Saint Denis, in the eastern part of Lemoyne. This stable offers a wide selection of horses, including some of the rarer breeds.
- Blackwater: Found in the town of Blackwater, in the state of West Elizabeth (available after completing the main story or with law enforcement bypassed).
- Tumbleweed: Located in the deserted town of Tumbleweed, in the New Austin region (available after completing the main story or with law enforcement bypassed).
- Van Horn Trading Post: A smaller stable located at the Van Horn Trading Post in the Roanoke Ridge region of New Hanover.
Step-by-Step Guide to Buying a Horse
Now that you know where to find stables and the importance of horse breeds, let’s go through the actual purchasing process:
- Locate a Stable: Use your map to find the nearest stable. They are marked with a horseshoe icon.
- Enter the Stable: Ride your current horse up to the stable entrance and dismount. Approach the stable doors and press the indicated button to enter (usually Triangle on PlayStation or Y on Xbox).
- Browse the Horses: Inside the stable, you’ll see a selection of horses available for purchase. You can walk around and examine each horse individually. Press the prompted button to bring up the horse’s stats. The stats will show the level of health, stamina, speed, and acceleration. The horse’s handling will also be shown, for example Standard, Race, Heavy, or Elite. You can use the left and right directional buttons to view the different horses for sale.
- Inspect the Horse: When viewing a horse, you can often see a description of the horse and its temperament. This will help you decide which horse best fits your personality.
- Consider Your Budget: Horses range in price from relatively cheap to extremely expensive. Make sure you have enough money before you get your heart set on a particular breed.
- Select a Horse: Once you’ve found a horse that you like and can afford, approach the horse and press the button indicated to purchase it. A confirmation screen will appear.
- Confirm Your Purchase: Carefully review the details of your purchase, including the horse’s breed, stats, and price. If you’re satisfied, confirm the transaction by pressing the appropriate button.
- Name Your Horse: After purchasing your horse, you’ll be prompted to give it a name. Choose a name that you like, as it will be displayed in the game and used by other characters.
- Saddle Up: After naming your horse, it will become your primary mount. You can now saddle up and ride off into the sunset!
Factors to Consider Before Buying
While purchasing a horse might seem straightforward, there are several crucial factors to keep in mind to ensure you make the right choice:
- Your Playstyle: Are you a fast-paced player who likes to cover a lot of ground? Or do you prefer a more methodical approach, focusing on hunting and exploration? Choose a horse that complements your preferred style of gameplay. A fast horse is great for bounty hunting. A sturdy horse is great for hunting large animals.
- Your Current Level: Some of the best horses in the game are locked behind story progression or require a certain level of honor. Don’t get discouraged if you can’t afford that Arabian right away; you’ll get there eventually.
- Your Budget: As mentioned earlier, horses can be quite expensive. Be mindful of your finances and don’t overspend. You can always upgrade to a better horse later on.
- Coat Color and Appearance: While stats are important, don’t underestimate the value of aesthetics. Choose a horse with a coat color and appearance that you find appealing. You’ll be spending a lot of time with it, after all.
- Temperament: Some horses are more skittish than others. A skittish horse might get spooked easily by predators or loud noises, potentially throwing you off. If you prefer a calmer ride, look for horses with a brave or steady temperament.
Alternative Ways to Acquire Horses
Buying from a stable isn’t the only way to get a new horse in Red Dead Redemption 2. Here are a few other options:
- Taming Wild Horses: You can find wild horses roaming the open plains. Approaching them slowly and carefully, and then mounting and breaking them, allows you to add them to your stable or use them as temporary mounts. This is a great way to get a decent horse early in the game without spending any money. Look for wild Mustangs in particular.
- Stealing Horses: While not exactly ethical, you can steal horses from other riders or from unattended locations. Be aware that this is a crime and can attract the attention of law enforcement. Stolen horses will be marked as such, and you will not be able to fully bond with them. Additionally, you cannot sell stolen horses at a stable; you must use a Fence.
- Completing Challenges: Some challenges in the game reward you with horses. Check your progress in the Challenges menu to see if any horse-related challenges are available.
- Story Missions: Certain story missions will provide you with new horses as part of the narrative.
Bonding with Your Horse: Building a Relationship
Acquiring a horse is just the first step. To truly unlock its full potential, you need to build a strong bond with it. Bonding increases your horse’s stats, unlocks new abilities, and makes it more responsive to your commands. Here’s how to bond with your horse:
- Riding: Simply spending time riding your horse will increase your bond. The more you ride, the stronger your connection will become.
- Grooming: Regularly grooming your horse with the horse brush (accessible from the item wheel) keeps it clean and happy, which contributes to bonding. Make sure to groom your horse after it gets dirty, especially after riding through muddy or swampy areas.
- Feeding: Feeding your horse will replenish its health and stamina cores and also increase your bond. You can feed it various items, such as hay, apples, carrots, and sugar cubes. Different horses have different preferences, so experiment to see what your horse enjoys most.
- Calming: When your horse is agitated or frightened (indicated by its ears being pinned back and its breathing becoming rapid), calming it will reassure it and strengthen your bond. You can calm your horse by pressing the L3 button (PlayStation) or the LS button (Xbox).
- Patting: While riding or standing near your horse, you can pat it to show affection and build your bond.
- Resurrecting: If your horse is injured or killed, using a horse reviver will not only bring it back to life but also significantly boost your bond. However, it’s best to avoid getting your horse killed in the first place.
Bonding Levels and Benefits:
There are four levels of bonding with your horse:
- Level 1: At this level, you can clean, feed, and calm your horse.
- Level 2: Unlocks the ability to rear your horse (useful for intimidating enemies or showing off). Your horse’s health and stamina cores will also increase slightly.
- Level 3: Allows you to perform advanced maneuvers, such as skidding turns and quick stops. Your horse’s health and stamina cores will increase further.
- Level 4: Grants you the ability to call your horse from a greater distance. Your horse’s health and stamina cores will reach their maximum potential, and you’ll unlock unique horse equipment.
Essential Horse Equipment
In addition to buying a horse, you’ll also want to invest in some essential horse equipment to enhance its performance and your riding experience. You can purchase these items from stables or general stores:
- Saddles: Saddles significantly impact your horse’s stamina and health cores. Better saddles offer improved stats and can also provide other benefits, such as increased inventory space.
- Stirrups: Stirrups affect your horse’s speed and acceleration. Upgrading your stirrups can make a noticeable difference in your horse’s performance.
- Saddlebags: Saddlebags increase your inventory capacity, allowing you to carry more items on your horse. This is especially useful for hunting and collecting resources.
- Blankets: Blankets provide your horse with protection from the elements, particularly in cold weather. They can also improve your horse’s appearance.
- Upgraded Tack: Different cosmetic options, like manes, tails, and horn ornaments, can also increase your horse’s comfort level.
Caring for Your Horse: Maintaining Its Well-being
Just like in real life, caring for your horse is crucial for maintaining its well-being and ensuring its optimal performance. Neglecting your horse can lead to decreased stats, illness, and even death. Here are some essential tips for caring for your horse:
- Regular Feeding: Keep your horse’s hunger core filled by feeding it regularly. A well-fed horse will have more stamina and health.
- Grooming: Groom your horse regularly to keep it clean and prevent it from becoming agitated.
- Rest and Recovery: Give your horse time to rest and recover, especially after strenuous activity. Overworking your horse can lead to exhaustion and injury.
- Avoid Overloading: Don’t overload your horse with too much weight. Carrying excessive cargo can strain your horse and decrease its stamina.
- Protect from Danger: Try to protect your horse from harm. Avoid riding into dangerous areas or engaging in unnecessary combat.
- Treat Injuries: If your horse is injured, treat it with horse medicine or take it to a stable for veterinary care.
What Happens If Your Horse Dies?
The death of your horse in Red Dead Redemption 2 can be a devastating experience, especially if you’ve formed a strong bond with it. If your horse dies, you have several options:
- Revive with a Horse Reviver: If you have a horse reviver in your inventory, you can use it to bring your horse back to life immediately. However, horse revivers are relatively expensive and not always readily available.
- Purchase a New Horse: If you don’t have a horse reviver or choose not to use it, you can purchase a new horse from a stable. However, you’ll have to start the bonding process all over again.
- Retrieve Your Previous Horse (If Insured): If you have horse insurance, you can retrieve your previous horse from a stable after it dies. Insurance essentially gives you a “free” replacement horse. However, the insurance doesn’t cover all breeds, and you’ll still lose any bonding progress you’ve made.
Preventing Horse Death:
The best way to deal with horse death is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Be mindful of your horse’s well-being, avoid unnecessary risks, and always carry a horse reviver as a precaution.
Conclusion
Buying and bonding with horses is a fundamental part of the Red Dead Redemption 2 experience. By understanding the different breeds, stats, and care requirements, you can choose the perfect horse to suit your playstyle and build a lasting relationship with your equine companion. So, saddle up, explore the vast open world, and enjoy the ride!