Yes, you absolutely can tame a horse in Red Dead Redemption 2 (RDR2), and it involves specific steps to gain control over these wild animals. Taming wild horses is a key part of RDR2 wild horse taming and securing a reliable mount early in the game.
Getting Started with Horse Wrangling in the Wild
Finding wild horses is the first step in RDR2 horse wrangling. These untamed animals roam open areas, especially in the wilder regions of the map like the Heartlands, Cumberland Forest, and areas west of Blackwater. Look for small herds or lone horses grazing freely. Knowing finding wild horses RDR2 locations helps speed up the process.
Essential Gear for Horse Taming
Before you start your horse wrangling adventure, make sure you have the right gear. You need items that help you approach and control the animal safely.
- Lasso: This is your primary tool. A sturdy lasso is needed to secure the horse once you get close enough.
- Cover Scent Lotion: This item is very helpful. It masks your human scent, making it harder for the horse to detect you from a distance. This makes approaching much easier.
- Health Items: Keep your health and Dead Eye meters full. Getting bucked off can cause minor damage.
The Step-by-Step Process for Taming Wild Horses
Breaking wild horses Red Dead 2 is a multi-stage process. You must be patient and calm. Rushing will scare the horse away immediately.
Stage 1: Spotting and Approaching the Horse
- Use Eagle Eye: Activate Eagle Eye to spot horses from afar. Look for the distinct white icons indicating wild horses.
- Approach Slowly: Crouch down and move slowly toward the horse. Keep your speed very low.
- Watch the Horse’s Reaction: If the horse looks toward you, stop moving. Wait for it to calm down before moving closer again. This initial approach tests your stealth.
Stage 2: Calming the Horse
Once you are close enough (within about 30 feet), the horse will likely get nervous. This is where calming wild horse RDR2 techniques come into play.
- Use Calming Words: While approaching, hold the prompt button to soothe the horse. Arthur will speak gently, helping to lower the horse’s fear level. Keep doing this as you inch closer.
- Use Cover Scent: If the horse seems overly jumpy, apply Cover Scent Lotion before you start your final approach.
Stage 3: Securing the Mount
When you get close enough, the game will prompt you to throw your lasso.
- Throw the Lasso: Aim carefully and toss the rope over the horse’s neck.
- Hold On: Once roped, the horse will fight back. You must immediately switch to controlling wild horse RDR2.
Stage 4: Breaking and Controlling
This is the most dynamic part of RDR2 horse taming. You must keep the horse from throwing you off.
- Left Stick Movement: The horse will try to buck left, right, forward, or backward. You must mirror its movements with your left analog stick to stay balanced. If the horse kicks left, push the stick left.
- Use Dead Eye for Fine Control (Optional but Helpful): If you have an upgraded Dead Eye level, you can slow down time briefly to quickly reorient yourself when the horse moves suddenly.
- Keep Calming: As you fight to stay on, continuously press the prompt button to calm the horse. This reduces the time it takes to fully break it.
When the horse stops bucking wildly and settles, the taming process is complete. You can now approach it, pat it, and saddle it. Congratulations, you have successfully performed RDR2 horse wrangling!
Special Breeds: Taming the Arabian Horse RDR2
The purest and fastest wild horses are usually Arabians. Taming an Arabian horse RDR2 follows the same method above, but these horses are much more skittish and harder to approach. They are worth the effort, though, as they possess excellent stats.
Where to Find the Best Wild Arabians
The most famous wild Arabian is the White Arabian.
- Location: This horse is usually found near Lake Isabella, in the snowy region north of Strawberry.
- Difficulty: Because of the cold and the horse’s naturally high temperament, this is one of the toughest RDR2 wild horse taming challenges. Ensure your horse stamina and Dead Eye cores are full before attempting this specific challenge. Dress warmly to avoid the cold debuff affecting Arthur’s abilities.
| Horse Type | Best Location | Temperament | Taming Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Wild Horse | The Heartlands | Average | Easy/Medium |
| Kentucky Saddler | Various Plains | Docile | Easy |
| Arabian (White) | Lake Isabella | Nervous | Hard |
| Mustang | Rio Bravo Area | Strong | Medium |
Building a Bond: The Importance of Horse Bonding RDR2
Securing the horse is only half the battle. The best way to tame a horse in RDR2 involves building a strong relationship over time. A high bond level increases your horse’s performance, responsiveness, and survivability.
How Horse Bonding Works
Your bond level goes from 1 (Untrusted) to 4 (Maximum Trust). This is improved by performing positive actions with the horse.
Actions That Increase Bonding:
- Riding: Simply riding your horse, especially over long distances, increases bonding slightly.
- Praising: Frequently use the praise button while riding.
- Feeding: Give your horse its favorite food (oats, hay, apples) when the hunger meter is low.
- Grooming: Brush your horse regularly after riding, especially when it is dirty.
- Reviving: Using a horse revival kit when your bonded horse is near death greatly increases the bond level.
Actions That Decrease Bonding:
- Spurring Excessively: Hitting the speed button (spur) too many times in quick succession will make the horse unhappy.
- Letting Health Drop: Allowing your horse to become injured or starving it hurts your relationship.
- Getting Bucked Off: If you fail the controlling wild horse RDR2 sequence repeatedly during the initial tame, the bond starts lower.
Reaching Bond Level 4
Once you reach Bond Level 4, you unlock special perks that make the horse significantly better:
- Improved Stamina: Stamina drains slower.
- Better Handling: The horse responds quicker to your controls.
- Skirting Danger: Your horse is more likely to automatically avoid certain obstacles or hazards.
- Advanced Maneuvers: You can perform advanced handling techniques, like drifting in turns.
Taming Legendary Horses RDR2
What about the rare and powerful mounts? Taming legendary horses RDR2 is different because you cannot lasso them or break them in the traditional sense. These horses are usually acquired through specific missions or story progression.
The Legendary Panther is sometimes mistaken for a horse mission, but true Legendary Horses are unique, single-spawn entities found at specific locations.
The Legendary Pronghorn and White Horse
While you don’t tame the White Arabian in a legendary sense, you acquire it, similar to legendary animals. Other unique horses might be rewards for completing difficult challenges or story arcs. Always check the mission log or world map markers for guidance on acquiring these unique mounts, as direct RDR2 horse wrangling methods won’t work on them.
Maintaining Your Tamed Mount
A tamed horse needs care. Good maintenance ensures the horse remains healthy and responsive. Think of this as long-term horse bonding RDR2.
Keeping Your Horse Happy and Healthy
Use the item wheel to check your horse’s cores (Health, Stamina, Morale).
- Feeding: Always feed your horse when its hunger core starts to deplete. Higher quality feed (like Specialty Horse Food) restores cores faster.
- Grooming: Buy a good horse brush from a stable. Regular brushing removes dirt, which improves the horse’s core regeneration rates. A dirty horse performs poorly.
- Saddling: You must purchase a good quality saddle, stirrups, and blanket from a stable or general store. A better saddle improves the rate at which Health and Stamina cores refill when you are riding.
Stable Management
If you have more than one horse, you must stable them. Stabled horses recover health and stamina slowly over time, even when you aren’t using them. Always keep your favorite, fully bonded horse equipped with the best tack for maximum performance.
Final Thoughts on Horse Acquisition
Whether you are interested in breaking wild horses Red Dead 2 for a serviceable mount or spending hours tracking the elusive White Arabian, the process rewards patience. Approach calmly, master the art of calming wild horse RDR2, and focus on building a strong bond. A high-level bond means a loyal, fast, and reliable partner for all your adventures across the plains and mountains of the West. Mastering RDR2 horse wrangling transforms your gameplay experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I tame any horse in RDR2?
Yes, almost any non-story-locked horse can be tamed using the lasso and breaking process described. Legendary or unique story horses are typically acquired differently.
What is the fastest way to increase horse bonding?
The fastest way involves a combination of consistent riding, frequent praising, and ensuring you always feed and brush your horse immediately after significant rides or when it is dirty.
Do I need to tame the horse to use it?
Yes. You can lasso a horse, but if you do not complete the breaking sequence (staying on while controlling wild horse RDR2), the horse will throw you off, and you cannot saddle or keep it permanently.
What happens if I break a horse but don’t saddle it?
If you successfully break a wild horse but run away before saddling it, the horse will flee back into the wild. You must immediately approach it, apply the saddle, and register it at a stable to keep it.
Is taming an Arabian horse RDR2 worth the effort compared to buying one?
Taming the Arabian saves you a significant amount of in-game money, which is valuable early on. While buying one from a stable gives you a Level 1 bond immediately, RDR2 wild horse taming allows you to raise that bond to Level 4 yourself, ensuring maximum performance sooner if you dedicate the time.