Red Dead Redemption 2 Horses Overview - Get the best horse
In this horse guide to Red Dead Redemption 2 you will learn:
- Which are the best horses in the game
- Locations of all horses and wild horses, like White Arabian or Mustang
- How to tame horses in Red Dead Redemption 2
Last Updated: 11/19/2019
While the "Van der Linde" gang represents something like a family for Arthur Morgan, none of these gang members are as important to you as your horse. Not only will you explore the open world with your mount, but you'll also have to blindly rely on it in dicey situations.
Before we tell you everything you need to know about the horses, we refer you to our other guides. For example, we'll show you where to find dinosaur bones in RDR2, how to collect exotic objects in RDR2, how to play mini-games in RDR2, and where to go in search of the poisonous treasure in Red Dead Redemption 2.
All tips are of course valid for the PC version of RDR2 released on November 05, 2019.
Table of Contents
- Where do I buy horses in Red Dead Redemption 2?
- Stealing horses & what there is to know about it
- Taming horses - how does it work?
- Where to find horses in RDR 2: White Arabian & Co.
- All horse breeds in the list
- Which is the best horse in Red Dead Redemption 2?
- Increase attachment: grooming & caring for horses
- Finding horses again - how do I do that?
- Horse died - what do I do now?
- Fun Facts: Horse testicles & breeding horses
The "Dutch van der Linde" gang on the prowl
Where do I buy horses in Red Dead Redemption 2?
Let's start with the honest way to acquire mounts. You can buy horses wherever there are stables - they are marked with horseshoe symbols on the map. Enter the buildings and see what animals are for sale.
The offer changes from stable to stable and the further you progress in the story. So regular visits are worthwhile if Arthur has enough money in his pocket.
Stealing horses in RDR2 & what to know about it
Your finances don't allow you to buy a horse? Don't worry, Arthur is a guy to steal horses from. However, in Red Dead Redemption 2 you should be clever enough not to let any witnesses notice the theft.
If you get on someone else's horse or cut it loose from a cart, make sure you get away. No witnesses means no bounty and therefore no problems. For more info on preventing bounties (as well as other topics), check out our useful beginner tips for RDR2.
If you are not satisfied with your stolen hoofed animal, you can get rid of it at a very specific, shady dealer. How to find this fence in RDR2, where you can sell illegally obtained horses, we reveal elsewhere.
Taming horses in RDR2 - how does it work?
Attention, from here on spoilers about the map of Red Dead Redemption 2follow !
Wild horses are native to all states in Red Dead Redemption 2 - from Lemoyne to New Hanover to New Austin. You'll find out which breeds graze where in the next part of this guide, but here we'll first look at how to tame wild horses in the first place.
To do this, choose a specimen of your choice, pull the lasso from Arthur's pocket and catch it with it. Simply approaching the animal slowly is also possible, but the horse won't get away from you quite as quickly if you use the lasso. Press the square button(PlayStation 4) or the X button(Xbox One) as often as possible while Arthur stalks.
When you're close enough, hold down Triangle or Y to make your main character swing onto the horse's back. Now pay attention, because this will start a rodeo sequence. The horse will try to throw you off with all its might.
Red Dead Redemption 2 offers 19 different horse breeds.
Always use the left stick to steer in the opposite direction of his movements so that Arthur Morgan doesn't fall off. After a while, the hoofed animal will calm down, then ride out with him for a while and pet him by pressing the left stick of your controller.
Once Red Dead Redemption 2 titles the animal as your temporary horse, you'll have successfully tamed it. To make it your main horse, ride either to a stable or to the camp of the "Van der Linde" gang to put your saddle on it.
Where to find horses in RDR 2: White Arab & Co.
13 horse breeds appear in the action adventure game as wild animals, three of them are extremely rare. In the following table we reveal where you have to go to tame the horse of your choice.
| Name of the horse breed | Approximate habitat |
| Amercian Standardbred |
|
| Morgan |
|
| Nokota |
|
| Kentucky Saddler |
|
| Amercian Paint |
|
| White spotted American Paint (extremely rare) | No fixed habitat, occurs at campfires anywhere in the Open World where enemies lurk |
| Appaloosa |
|
| Tennessee Walker |
|
| English Thoroughbred |
|
| Mustang |
|
| Hungarian half-breed |
|
| White Arabian (extremely rare) | West shore of Lake Isabella |
| Tiger Stripe Brown Mustang (extremely rare) | West of Rio del Lobo Rock |
All horse breeds in the list
The wild horse table has already given you a taste of the horse breeds available in Red Dead Redemption 2. Now we give you the full package of information in the following horse overview.
We have summarized values such as health or endurance, the base value price as well as the availability of the horse breeds. Note that you won't reach the dollar price listed there when you sell your horse. Instead, it should serve as a guide.
Take good care of your horse.
It will always be lower than that and will depend on how much of a bond you have built with your horse or even if you have stolen it. If you have several horses and are wondering how to change your horse in the open world game, we will help you in another guide.
| Name of the horse breed | Category | Health | Stamina | Speed | Agility | Availability | Basic value |
| Tennessee Walker (Mahogany bay) | Riding horses | 3 | 4 | 2 | 2 | Chapter 1: "Outlaws from the West | Standard (60 dollars) |
| American Standardbred (Isabell Wind Colors) | Race Horses | 3 | 3 | 5 | 4 | Chapter 2: Stable in Valentine | Raceable (150 dollars) |
| Hungarian half-breed (Dark apple gray) | Warhorses | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | Chapter 2: Stable in Valentine | Standard (150 dollars) |
| Kentucky Saddler (gray horse) | Riding horses | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | Chapter 2: Environment/Wilderness/Stable in Valentine | Standard ($50) |
| Tennessee Walker (roan) | Riding horses | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | Chapter 2: Environment/Wilderness/Stable in Valentine | Standard ($60) |
| Dutch Warmblood (Sooty Buckskin) | Workhorses | 4 | 5 | 3 | 3 | Chapter 2: Stable at Scarlett Meadows | Standard (150 dollars) |
| Shire (cabbage bustard) | Draft horses | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | Chapter 2: "Step down, head bowed" | Heavy (130 dollars) |
| Dutch Warmblood (Brown Horse) | Workhorses | 5 | 6 | 4 | 3 | Chapter 2: Stable in Valentine | Standard ($450) |
| Morgan (Isabell) | Riding horses | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | Chapter 2: Environment/ Stable in Valentine | Standard (15 dollars) |
| Morgan (spiky haired bay) | Riding horses | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | Chapter 2: Environment/Wilderness/Stable in Valentine | Standard ($55) |
| Ardennes (spiked bay) | War horses | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | Chapter 2: Stable in Scarlett Meadows | Standard ($140) |
| Andalusian (black bay) | Warhorses | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | Chapter 2: Stable in Strawberry | Standard (140 dollars) |
| Name of the horse breed | Category | Health | Endurance | Speed | Agility | Availability | Basic value |
| Dutch warmblood (black bay) | Working horses | 4 | 5 | 3 | 3 | Chapter 3: Stable in Strawberry | Standard (150 dollars) |
| Missouri Foxtrotter (Amber Champagne) | Versatile (Race & Work Horses) | 5 | 6 | 7 | 5 | Chapter 4: Stable at Scarlett Meadows | Standard ($950) |
| Nokota (Inverted spiky bay) | Racehorses | 3 | 3 | 7 | 5 | Chapter 4: Stable in Saint Denis | Standard (450 dollars) |
| Andalusian (Rose White) | Castles | 7 | 5 | 3 | 3 | Chapter 6: Stable at Van Horn | Standard (440 dollars) |
| Ardennes (spiked chestnut) | Warhorses | 7 | 5 | 3 | 3 | Chapter 6: Stable at Van Horn | Standard (450 dollars) |
| American Standardbred (Silver Tail Buckskin) | Racehorses | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | Epilogue 1: Stable of Tumbleweed | Standard (400 dollars) |
| Arabian horse (rose bay) | Superior | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | Epilogue 1: Stable of Blackwater | Elite ($1250) |
| Tennessee Walker (gray with light longhair) | Riding horses | 4 | 5 | 3 | 3 | Epilogue 1: Stable of Tumbleweed | Standard (150 dollars) |
| English thoroughbred (Brindle) | Racehorses | 3 | 3 | 7 | 5 | Chapter 3: Stable in Strawberry | Raceable ($450) |
| Arabian (black horse) | Superior | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | Chapter 4: Stable in Saint Denis | Elite (1050 dollars) |
| Turkmene (Gold) | Multi (race horses & war horses) | 7 | 5 | 6 | 5 | Chapter 4: Stable in Saint Denis | Standard (950 dollars) |
| Appaloosa (tiger pinto) | Working horses | 5 | 6 | 4 | 3 | Chapter 6: Stable at Van Horn | Standard ($430) |
| American Paint (Overo grey) | Working horses | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | Epilogue 1: Stable of Tumbleweed | Standard (425 dollars) |
| Appaloosa (Brown Tiger Pinto) | Working horses | 5 | 6 | 4 | 3 | Epilogue 1: Stable of Tumbleweed | Standard ($450) |
| Missouri Foxtrotter (black pinto) | Versatile (race & work horses) | 5 | 6 | 7 | 5 | Epilogue 1: Stable of Blackwater | Standard ($950) |
| Turkmene (Blackwater) | Multi (Race Horses & War Horses) | 7 | 5 | 6 | 5 | Epilogue 1: Stable of Blackwater | Standard ($925) |
| Name of the horse breed | Category | Health | Endurance | Speed | Agility | Availability | Basic value |
| Turkmene (wind colors) | Versatile (Racehorses & Warhorses) | 7 | 5 | 6 | 5 | Epilogue 1: Stable of Tumbleweed | Standard ($950) |
| Brabant (Flour Mouth Fox) | Draft horses | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | Environment | Heavy (120 dollars) |
| Shire (Light grey) | Draft horses | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | Environment | Ponderous (120 dollars) |
| Suffolk Punch (Bright Red Fox) | Draft horses | 3 | 4 | 3 | 2 | Environment | Heavy (120 dollars) |
| Kentucky Saddler (chestnut pinto) | Riding horses | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | Environment/Wilderness | Standard ($50) |
| Morgan (Brown) | Riding horses | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | Environment/Wilderness | Standard ($55) |
| Tennessee Walker (Black Rabicano) | Riding horses | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | Environment/Wilderness | Standard ($60) |
| Tennessee Walker (Mirror Brown) | Riding horses | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | Environment/Wilderness | Standard (60 dollars) |
| Brabant (Blond Fox) | Draft horses | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | Environment | Heavy (120 dollars) |
| Shire (black and brown) | Draft horses | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | Environment | Heavy (120 dollars) |
| Suffolk Punch (Red Fox) | Draft horses | 3 | 4 | 3 | 2 | Environment | Heavy (120 dollars) |
| Kentucky Saddler (black horse) | Riding horses | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | Environment/Wilderness | Standard ($50) |
| Kentucky Saddler (Wind colored bay) | Riding horses | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | Environment/Wilderness | Standard ($50) |
| Morgan (Light Fox) | Riding horses | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | Environment/Wilderness | Standard ($55) |
| Tennessee Walker (chestnut) | Riding horses | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | Environment/Wilderness | Standard (60 dollars) |
| Amercian Paint (Overo) | Working Horses | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | Wilderness | Standard ($130) |
Rides through the Wild West - any time of day.
| Name of horse breed | Category | Health | Endurance | Speed | Agility | Availability | Basic value |
| American Paint (white spotted) | Working horses | 3 | 5 | 3 | 3 | Wilderness | Standard (140 dollars) |
| American Standardbred (black) | Race Horses | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | Wilderness | Raceable ($130) |
| Appaloosa (Saddleback Tiger) | Workhorses | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | Wilderness | Standard (130 Dollar) |
| Arab (White) | Superior | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | Wilderness | Elite (1200 dollars) |
| Hungarian Half-Blood (Piebald Tobiano) | Warhorses | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | Wilderness | Standard ($130) |
| Mustang (Tiger Stripe Brown) | Versatile (War Horse & Work Horse) | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | Wilderness | Standard (450 dollars) |
| Nokota (Black horse) | Race horses | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | Wilderness | Raceable ($130) |
| English thoroughbred (bay) | Racehorses | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | Wilderness | Raceable ($130) |
| American Paint (Tobiano) | Racehorses | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | Wilderness | Standard (130 dollars) |
| Amercian Standardbred (Buckskin) | Race Horses | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | Wilderness | Raceable ($130) |
| Appaloosa (Saddleback) | Workhorses | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | Wilderness | Standard (130 dollars) |
| Hungarian Half-Blood (Light Fox) | Warhorses | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | Wilderness | Standard ($130) |
| Mustang (Mouse Raven) | Versatile (War Horse & Work Horse) | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | Wilderness | Standard ($130) |
| Mustang (Wild Type Brown) | Versatile (War Horse & Work Horse) | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | Wilderness | Standard (130 dollars) |
| Nokota (white head grey) | Race horses | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | Wilderness | Raceable ($130) |
| English thoroughbred (apple gray) | Racehorses | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | Wilderness | Raceable ($130) |
Additional horses in the PC version
In the PC version of Read Dead Redemption 2, you will find the following seven types of horses that are not available in the console story mode.
| Horse breed name | Category | Health | Stamina | Speed | Agility | Availability | Basic value |
| Warped Brindle Arabian | Superior | 3 | 5 | 6 | 8 | Wapiti Reserve | 450 dollars |
| Few Spots Appaloosa | Working Horses | 3 | 5 | 3 | 4 | Heartlands | 130 dollars |
| Liver Fox Arabian | Superior | 3 | 4 | 5 | 8 | Lake Owanjila | 250 dollars |
| Buttermilk Buckskin Kentucky Saddler | Riding horse | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | Pronghorn Ranch | 240 dollars |
| Liver chestnut Morgan | Riding horse | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | Pronghorn Ranch | 55 dollars |
| Goldisabell Tennessee Walker | Riding horse | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | Tumbleweed; Pronghorn Ranch | 60 dollars |
Which is the best horse in Red Dead Redemption 2?
As is often the case, this question can't be answered in a general way: it all depends on what you're looking for. From the tables above, we have selected for you the most versatile types of horses, as well as the ones that have the best stats.
Most versatile horses in the game
- Missouri Foxtrotter (Amber Champagne): Versatile (race & work horse)
- Turkmene (Gold): Multi (racehorse & warhorse)
- Missouri Foxtrotter (Black Wind Pinto): Versatile (Race & Work Horse)
- Turkmene (Black Brown): Multi (racehorse & warhorse)
- Turkmene (Wind Colors): Versatile (Race Horse & War Horse)
- Mustang (Tiger Stripe Brown): Versatile (War Horse & Work Horse)
- Mustang (Mouse Falbe): Versatile (War Horse & Work Horse)
- Mustang (Wild type bay): Versatile (Warhorse & Workhorse)
Horses with the best stats in the action adventure
- Arabian (Rosebay bay): 7 health, 7 stamina, 6 speed, 6 agility
- Arabian (black) : 6 health, 6 endurance, 6 speed, 6 agility
- Arabian (White) : 5 health, 5 stamina, 6 speed, 6 agility
Increase attachment: groom & care for horses
Now that we've provided you with all sorts of information about choosing a horse, it's time to focus on grooming your companion. In Red Dead Redemption 2, you'll earn points for just about any positive action that boosts Arthur's trust - the so-called bond - with his horse.
Groom your horse regularly, calm it down when there are predators nearby, give it treats, or tie it up when you arrive at your destination. The latter not only strengthens the bond - it also regenerates stamina and health.
You'll spend a lot of time on horseback in Red Dead Redemption 2.
Our tip: Always have horse medicine, horse awakener and preferably nutritious horse food in your inventory.( We havecrafting recipes for these items in another guide, by the way, in case you don't want to buy them from doctors like Ben Calloway in Strawberry in Red Dead Redemption 2) These objects replenish the mount's attribute cores, and the horse awakener helps with particularly critical injuries.
The more confidence the horse has in you, the more maneuvers Arthur can perform with it and the calmer it will remain in dicey situations. Nevertheless, we recommend sending the hoofed animal away if an enemy gang suddenly blocks your way. To do this, select the horse menu and move it to flee.
In gunfights you are usually better off if Arthur is on foot. This way you can rush from cover to cover faster and don't put your horse in danger unnecessarily. Once the situation is over, press the upper arrow key on your controller's directional pad.
This will call your horse back in Red Dead Redemption 2. The whistle's range increases the more connection there is between Arthur Morgan and his steed. the horse's maximum hearing range is 350 meters - if you're too far away, you'll either have to approach your mount or go to a stable to retrieve it.
By the way, the more often Arthur whistles, the faster his horse will approach. If you're in a hurry, you'll have to give the horse several signals in a row to get away quickly.
RDR2: Finding horses - How do I do that?
In Red Dead Redemption 2, raids and bounty hunts can be very hectic. It can happen quickly that you lose sight of your mount. Fortunately, there are several ways to find your steed again:
- Whistle, so that the horse comes back to Arthur. But keep in mind the maximum whistle range mentioned before.
- Use the map of the action adventure. Your main horse is marked with a corresponding symbol.
- Head for a stable, where you can retrieve the hoofed animal.
- Activate the camp upgrade "Horse Station" for the "Van der Linde" gang. When you return to the camp site, you'll retrieve your companion through it (similar to stables).
- Give Arthur a good night's sleep, then the horse will usually be back with him at the camp.
Horse died - what do I do now?
Horses die in Red Dead Redemption 2 the so-called permadeath. Means: Once they are dead, they never come back. In extremely critical situations, a horse awakener may still be able to save your hoofed animal.
Arthur with a pre-order bonus - the warhorse
Unfortunately, if your companion has gone to the eternal hunting grounds, you'll have no choice but to grab your saddle and get a new horse.
Fun Facts: Horse testicles & breeding horses in RDR2
You all almost certainly know about the high level of realism in Red Dead Redemption 2. This attention to detail even goes so far that the developers have thought to make stallions' genitals contract in cold temperatures or horse droppings plop onto the road when your companion does his big business.
Another very realistic mechanic (which, to our knowledge, did not make it into the game) is the breeding of mounts. However, unlike hunting and fishing, breeding horses is not one of Arthur Morgan's activities.
More guides for outlaws
Red Dead Redemption 2 celebrated its release on October 26, 2018 on PlayStation 4 as well as Xbox One. You want to know about a PC version or what is known about DLCs? Then check out our big guide to RDR2. We also offer trapper locations in RDR2 and a solution to legendary animals and fish in RDR2.
Trophy hunters, on the other hand, can find out more about unlockable achievements in Red Dead Redemption 2, and we can also help you find all the special characters in RDR2 or all the tombs in RDR2.
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