Red Dead Redemption 2 is a game filled with so many details that it's near impossible to notice everything in a single playthrough, and there are plenty of features that are much deeper than what they look at first glance. One of such gameplay elements is the presence of horses and how they can be taken care of, used to the players' advantage based on their stats, and broken to tame them. Whatever it is about horses, Red Dead Redemption 2 nails it in ways that make fans appreciate the game even more.
There are several horse breeds in the game; some of them are found in the wilds earlier on, while others can only be purchased or require that Arthur Morgan unlocks specific chapters, areas, or even complete his story. Red Dead Redemption 2 makes an effort in trying to get everything right with horses, making them the perfect companions for players, allowing incredible customization with a whopping total of over 60 styles of coat, and that's just the tip of the iceberg. Players can choose from several types of saddles, for starters, which can provide significant benefits to the horse or just be purely cosmetic, and then there are spurs, horns, stirrups, and more. Every horse has its own purpose in Red Dead Redemption 2, and none of them is useless, despite the tendency of having them divided into tier lists.
The Arabian, The Horse Breed That Players Consider To Be The Best Overall In Red Dead Redemption 2
Many Red Dead Redemption 2 players consider the Arabian breed to be the overall best, with it being a Superior horse that comes with incredible stats when compared to those found earlier. The Arabian has great speed and great acceleration, meaning it reaches its maximum speed faster than other horses, despite its speed not being the highest overall. Also, the Arabian breed comes with variable health points and stamina depending on the horse's coat, with the white Arabian being the worse of the three with 5 HP and stamina, and the Rose Grey Bay being the best one with these values skyrocketing to 7 each. These fine exemplars also come with elite handling, meaning they are awesome at maneuvers and nimbleness in general.
However, while the Arabian Rose Grey Bay may be the best horse at having high and balanced stats, its temperament is not great. As all Red Dead Redemption 2 players know by now, Arabian horses spook with every little movement and buck Arthur off right there on the spot, whether it's a gunfight, wild animals, or else. This probably means that the Arabians are also the best horses at bucking off their riders, unfortunately.
The Reliability Of War Horses In Red Dead Redemption 2: Horse Temperament And Looks
War horses in Red Dead Redemption 2 are usually the go-to choice for players who don't want to be dismounted by their companions during various encounters, as these beasts tend to be very bold in front of danger and not to be dazzled by, say, alligators, bears, wolves, and gunfire. These buddies are reliable, and they have a few very good breeds that can challenge even the Arabians in terms of stats, let alone temper. A prime example is the Turkoman, arguably one of the best horses in the game, who comes with a little less stamina and acceleration than the Arabian, but it is much more sturdy in terms of temperament.
The Turkoman is the players' best friend when they want to hunt animals down without fearing being bucked off suddenly, or for those pesky situations where gamers are trying to get away from several enemies and want a horse that can handle a few hits without getting spooked. The gold-coated Turkoman is also a beautiful specimen, and it will add that extra glitter to pictures taken with photo mode to show off how much of a cool guy Arthur can really be. Still, this breed can also be very impatient when left somewhere to wait, so players should pet their Turkoman horses some more when they are good boys or girls.
The Missouri Fox Trotter And The Purpose Of Work Horses In Red Dead Redemption 2
Red Dead Redemption 2 also features work horses, which aren't exactly the fastest of the bunch, nor the bravest, nor the more resilient when it comes to taking damage like a champ. So, why exactly are work horses even a thing, some might ask, and the truth is that these beasts are simply much more majestic than other breeds, towering over them like kings and queens from their golden chariots. That and, well, carrying chariots or wagons for work purposes.
However, the work horses are very well-rounded compared to other breeds, and they may not excel in a single department, but it doesn't mean they are not good to use at all. They often enjoy a bit more courage than comparable breeds at lower levels, and they have decent handling, too. One of the best breeds here is the Missouri Fox Trotter, a lively horse that can easily be Arthur's one and only pick throughout the whole game, be it for improved stats over horses within the same category, or be it thanks to its gorgeous looks. Players should especially be on the lookout for the Silver Dapple Pinto coat, which will make friends jealous over how glorious they look.
Of course, players should also consider using the horse they like best over others with better stats, and that's because some horses don't necessarily have that big of an edge over others. For example, many consider the Arabians the best horses because of their speed and acceleration, but truth be told, speed is not that important in Red Dead Redemption 2, and that's because the difference in traversing the whole map with a max speed horse and one found early in the game is nearly non-existent. As such, the best horse is the one players enjoy the most, whatever the reason.
Red Dead Redemption 2 is available now for PC, PS4, Stadia, and Xbox One.