You remove temporary horse RDR2 simply by bonding with a new horse or allowing the temporary one to wander away or die. A temporary horse, often called an NPC horse, is not permanently yours until you perform specific actions to claim it.
Arthur Morgan often acquires horses that are not his own. These might be borrowed mounts, horses he “acquires” from enemies, or simple wild horses he breaks but doesn’t fully tame. Knowing how to handle these temporary mounts is key to managing your stable and ensuring you always have your trusted companion ready. This guide will explain all the ways to dismiss temporary horse Red Dead Redemption 2 and make room for the horse you truly want.
The Nature of the Temporary Mount in Red Dead Redemption 2
When you see a horse that isn’t stabled or one you haven’t fully bonded with, it’s usually a temporary mount. These horses fill a vital early-game role, but they don’t offer the security or features of a permanent horse.
What is a Temporary Horse?
A temporary horse is any equine Arthur is riding or has recently mounted that is not registered in his stable. These often include:
- Horses taken from defeated enemies.
- Wild horses that have not had their bond maxed out.
- Horses given or temporarily used during specific missions.
- Any horse you saddle without taking it to a stable first.
These mounts will often vanish if you travel too far away. They are not considered Arthur’s property. If you want a reliable partner, you need a permanent one.
Can You Keep a Temporary Horse RDR2?
You can keep a temporary horse RDR2 for a limited time. As long as you keep it near you and continue to use it, it remains yours. However, it is only truly “kept” if you register it at a stable. Until then, it’s just borrowed gear.
Methods to Get Rid of NPC Horse Arthur Morgan
If you are trying to stop temporary horse Arthur Morgan from following you, or you simply want to clear a spot in your immediate vicinity for a better mount, there are several straightforward ways to make the NPC horse leave.
1. Letting It Wander Off
This is the simplest method to dismiss temporary horse Red Dead Redemption 2. Dismount your current temporary horse and ride away on your preferred mount (if you have one).
- The temporary horse will stop following after a short distance.
- It will usually stay in the general area for a while.
- If you leave the immediate region (like entering a town or starting a fast travel), the horse will likely despawn or revert to an NPC state.
2. Using the “Dismiss” Option
When you are close to the temporary horse, you can often tell it to leave.
- Walk up to the horse.
- If the prompt appears, you might see an option like “Dismiss.”
- Selecting this tells the horse to leave the area immediately.
This is a clean way to remove temporary horse RDR2 if you need it gone quickly without causing a scene.
3. Replacing It with a Claimed Horse
The best way to make space is by acquiring a new horse you do want. This often involves replacing temporary horse RDR2 automatically.
- If you break a wild horse or take one from an enemy camp, the game treats this as a potential replacement.
- When you successfully bond with the new horse (even minimally), it often bumps the old temporary horse out of Arthur’s immediate attention slot.
- If you ride the new horse into town and stable it, the old temporary horse is definitely gone from your active roster.
4. Causing the Horse to Die
While drastic, if you are done with a temporary horse and don’t care about its fate, you can let it die.
- If the horse takes too much damage during a fight, it will collapse.
- If you shoot or attack the temporary horse until it dies, it is gone forever. This is a quick way to get rid of NPC horse RDR2 when morality isn’t a concern.
Transitioning from Temporary to Permanent
The goal for most players is to have a permanent horse instead of temporary RDR2 mounts. This requires a trip to the stable.
How to Make a Horse Permanent
To claim any horse—even a temporary one—you must register it.
- Ensure Bond Level: If it’s a wild horse, you need to increase its bond slightly (even Level 1 is enough for initial registration).
- Visit a Stable: Travel to any major stable location (Valentine, Saint Denis, Strawberry, etc.).
- Select “Stable Horse”: Talk to the stable master and select the option to stable a horse.
- Name and Register: You will be prompted to name the horse. Once named and registered, it is officially yours. It is now your permanent horse instead of temporary RDR2 mount.
What Happens to Temporary Horse RDR2 After Stabling?
If you stable a horse that was temporary, it becomes permanent. If you already have a stable full of horses, you must choose one to replace. The old horse is then removed from your possession.
If you ride a temporary horse into the stable, but then decide to stable one of your existing horses instead, the temporary horse will usually wander off or despawn once you leave the stable area.
Managing Your Bonds and Stable Slots
Every horse Arthur bonds with occupies a slot in his potential roster. Temporary horses can clog up your immediate riding options until you make a definitive choice.
Bonding with a Temporary Horse RDR2
If you find a temporary horse you genuinely like, you can try to bond with temporary horse RDR2.
- Patting: Pat the horse frequently while riding it.
- Feeding: Feed it apples or carrots.
- Riding: Spend significant time riding it without getting off.
Once the bond meter fills slightly, the horse is much more likely to stay near you, making it easier to take to the stable for permanent registration.
Swapping Horses: Switch Temporary Horse RDR2
When you have multiple horses nearby (perhaps a permanent one and a temporary one), you need to know how to switch temporary horse RDR2 easily.
- Whistle: Hold the whistle button (usually down on the D-pad).
- Select Horse: A radial menu will show your available horses, including any temporary ones standing close by.
- Mount: Select the horse you wish to ride.
The game automatically recognizes the horse you mount as your current primary mount, effectively dismissing the one you just dismounted.
| Action | Result on Temporary Horse | Permanent Status Change |
|---|---|---|
| Dismount and Ride Away | Stays nearby briefly, then disappears. | Remains Temporary |
| Ride into Stable | Can be registered permanently. | Becomes Permanent |
| Whistle for another horse | Moves away slowly or stays put. | Remains Temporary |
| Horse Dies | Gone permanently. | Remains Temporary (Dead) |
The Difference Between Wild Horses and Acquired Mounts
Sometimes the horse you are trying to ditch isn’t truly “temporary” but rather a wild horse you haven’t fully tamed yet.
Fathoming the Wild Horse Mechanics
Wild horses are functionally temporary until they are registered. To get rid of NPC horse RDR2 that you just broke:
- Break and Ride: Hold the calm button to break its spirit.
- Saddle Up: Mount it. It is now yours, but only until you leave it unattended for too long.
- If Unwanted: Ride your preferred horse (or find a stable) to effectively discard the wild mount. It will not return to you unless you find it again in the wild.
What Happens to Temporary Horse RDR2 When Arthur Sleeps?
If Arthur sleeps in a bed or a temporary camp (without a proper tent setup that allows horse interaction), any temporary horse left outside will likely disappear upon waking up. This is another easy way to remove temporary horse RDR2 if you don’t want to actively dismiss it.
Advanced Horse Management Tips
For players who want to keep their ranch clean and their mounts organized, mastering the temporary horse removal process saves time and confusion.
Avoiding Accidental Ownership
Sometimes you might accidentally grab the reins of an NPC horse belonging to a shopkeeper or traveler. To prevent this from becoming a permanent nuisance:
- Never Saddle: If you steal a horse, do not go near a saddle rack or stable. Riding it is fine; making it “yours” is the problem.
- Dismount Quickly: If you realize you’re on the wrong horse, immediately dismount and ride away on your main horse.
This prevents the game from thinking you intend to keep it, making it easy to dismiss temporary horse Red Dead Redemption 2.
Comprehending Mission Horses
During certain story missions, you are assigned a specific horse. These are the ultimate temporary mounts.
- Mission Horses Vanish: Once the mission segment is over, these horses are almost always removed from the game world entirely. You do not need to worry about what happens to temporary horse RDR2 from missions; the game handles the cleanup.
- Cannot Be Stabled: You usually cannot stable mission horses, even if you try to ride them to town. They are locked to the mission parameters.
Using the “Scare Off” Technique
If a temporary horse is stubbornly lingering near your permanent horse, you can sometimes force it away using loud noises or intimidation.
- Pull out a long gun (rifle or repeater).
- Fire a shot into the air near the temporary horse.
- This usually scares the temporary horse away, making it bolt off, which counts as a form of dismissal, allowing you to stop temporary horse Arthur Morgan lingering where he shouldn’t be.
Replacing Temporary Horse RDR2 Smoothly
When you decide you want a new permanent companion, the transition must be managed well to avoid losing your old favorite.
If you have a favorite permanent horse, make sure it is saddled and ready before attempting to acquire a new one.
- Dismount Permanent Horse: Get off your prized horse.
- Acquire New Mount: Break a wild horse or take a better one.
- Bond Quickly: Spend five minutes raising the bond with the new temporary mount.
- Go to Stable: Ride the new mount to the stable.
- Stable New Horse: Name and register the new horse. The game will ask which horse you want to replace if your stable is full.
- Retrieve Old Horse: Your previous favorite horse will now be safely stored in the stable, waiting for you to switch temporary horse RDR2 back to it later.
This process ensures you never lose a horse you’ve invested time in while still allowing you to easily remove temporary horse RDR2 from your immediate riding rotation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: If I leave a temporary horse tied up, will it still be there later?
A: Maybe, but it’s risky. If you leave it tied up and travel a significant distance or fast travel, the game often despawns the horse. It is best to either dismiss it or stable it if you want it to remain available.
Q: How do I know if a horse is temporary or permanent?
A: If the horse appears in your stable menu when you talk to a stable master, it is permanent. If you whistle and nothing comes, or if the horse looks generic and you can’t access horse items like medicine, it is likely temporary. Also, if you ride too far away and return to find it gone, it was temporary.
Q: Can I sell a temporary horse?
A: You cannot sell a truly temporary horse (like a mission horse or a briefly stolen mount) at a stable. You can only sell horses that have been registered in your name, meaning you must make it permanent first, then choose to sell it at the stable.
Q: Does the temporary horse carry over between game chapters?
A: No. When you transition between Chapters (e.g., Chapter 1 to Chapter 2), any temporary horses you were using will be completely gone. Only horses actively registered in the stable will transfer.
Q: How do I ensure my main horse doesn’t get confused with a temporary one?
A: Always keep your primary horse saddled. When you acquire a new horse, immediately raise its bond slightly and ride it to the nearest stable. This clearly defines its status and keeps your preferred mount safe. This helps manage the confusion when trying to switch temporary horse RDR2.