To get on a horse in Red Dead Redemption 2 on PC, you generally press the ‘E’ key when near a wild or tamed horse, or you select the horse from your stable menu. This guide will show you all the ways to acquire, tame, and ride horses in RDR2 on your PC.
Locating and Mounting Your First Horse
When you first start playing RDR2 PC, you get a basic horse early on. However, finding and riding other horses is key to enjoying the game. Riding is simple once you know the controls.
Basic Mounting Mechanics
Getting onto any horse, whether wild or owned, follows a similar pattern on PC.
- Approach the Horse: Walk right up to the horse’s side. It must not be too far away.
- Press the Mount Key: Press and hold the E key. This is the default action button. If the horse is wild, holding E will start the taming process. If it is owned, you will mount up quickly.
- Dismounting: Press E again to get off the horse.
Initial Horse Acquisition
For new players, the first reliable way to secure a horse is through the story missions. Arthur Morgan acquires his first reliable mount very early in Chapter 1. This horse is essential for getting around.
Taming Wild Horses on PC
One of the most exciting parts of RDR2 PC is breaking in wild horses. You can find these beautiful creatures roaming the plains and mountains. This is how you go about RDR2 taming wild horses PC.
Finding Wild Horses
Wild horses appear in various regions. Look in open areas like The Heartlands or across the Great Plains. Different breeds live in different spots.
The Taming Process Step-by-Step
Taming requires patience and careful movement. Follow these steps to successfully claim a wild horse:
- Sneak Up Slowly: Crouch (Hold C). Move very slowly towards the horse. If you spook it, it will run away.
- Calm the Horse: When close enough, you will see a prompt to Calm. Hold the H key (default for calming). Keep holding H as you approach.
- Mounting: Once close enough, the prompt will change to Mount. Press and hold E.
- Breaking the Horse: The horse will buck wildly. Keep holding E. The horse will try to throw you.
- Controlling the Bucking: Use the left analog stick (or WASD keys if using keyboard mapping) to counter the horse’s movements. If it bucks left, push the stick left. If it bucks right, push right. Keep applying gentle pressure in the opposite direction of the bucking motion.
- Success: After a short struggle, the horse will settle down. You have successfully tamed it!
Improving Taming Success
Wild horses have levels of temperament. Arabian horses, for example, are known to be harder to tame than Mustangs. Improving your RDR2 PC horse bonding early helps you manage wilder steeds better later on.
Purchasing Horses: Stable Access
The most reliable way to get a proven, high-quality horse is by buying one. This is covered in RDR2 stable horse purchase PC. Stables are found in every major town, like Valentine or Saint Denis.
Accessing the Stable Menu
- Walk up to the stable door.
- Press E to interact.
- Select the “Stable Services” option.
- Choose “Buy Horse.”
Horse Tiers and Pricing
Horses come in different tiers based on their stats (Speed, Acceleration, Health, Stamina). Better stats mean higher prices.
| Horse Breed Example | Price Range (Approx.) | Key Attribute |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Walker | $50 – $100 | Good Stamina |
| Morgan | $60 – $120 | Balanced Stats |
| Kentucky Saddler | $80 – $150 | Decent Handling |
| Thoroughbred | $250 – $450 | Good Speed |
| Arabian | $400 – $850 | Excellent Stamina & Quick Handling |
For players just starting, a cheap Morgan or Tennessee Walker is a fine starting mount. If you have saved up money, you can look into RDR2 acquiring high-level horses PC right away.
Finding the Best Horses in the World
Players often search for the RDR2 best horse locations PC or specific rare mounts. Certain horses are superior due to their innate stats or unique properties.
The Legendary Horse: The White Arabian
The White Arabian is often sought after. It is one of the best wild horses you can find early in the game. This is a key part of RDR2 legendary horse PC hunting, even though it’s not technically ‘legendary’ in the same way as the Epilogue horses.
Location of the White Arabian
The White Arabian spawns in a specific area north of the map:
- Region: Ambarino.
- Specific Spot: Near the shores of Lake Isabella. It is usually found grazing near the water’s edge.
- Warning: This area is very cold. Wear cold weather gear, or Arthur will take health damage.
Taming this horse is harder than average. You need top-tier calming skills. Once tamed, it offers exceptional stamina, making it great for long rides.
RDR2 best horse breeds PC Overview
While stats matter, handling style also plays a part.
- Arabians: Fast acceleration and great stamina. Good for varied terrain.
- Turkomans: High health and decent speed. Very durable.
- Mustangs: Excellent stamina, often found wild.
RDR2 obtaining rare horses PC Secrets
Some horses are hidden or require specific actions.
- The Role Horses: After unlocking the Naturalist role (in the Epilogue), you gain access to unique role-specific horses with better stats than standard store breeds.
- The Black Arabian: This horse can only be purchased later in the game from a stable. It boasts slightly better stats than the wild White Arabian.
Horse Ownership and Management
Once you have a horse, you must care for it. A well-cared-for horse performs better and is more loyal. This directly ties into RDR2 PC horse bonding.
Building Horse Bond Levels
Bonding is crucial. A high bond level unlocks special maneuvers and ensures your horse responds quickly to commands. There are four bond levels (Level 1 being the lowest, Level 4 the highest).
How to Increase Bonding
- Riding: Simply riding your horse frequently increases the bond slightly.
- Feeding: Feed your horse quality horse food (oats, hay, special tonics) when its hunger meter is low.
- Brushing: Visit a stable or use the horse care items from your satchel to brush your horse regularly.
- Calming: Calming your horse when it gets scared (like near predators or gunfire) gives a significant bond boost.
At Level 4 bond, you unlock several abilities:
- Skid Turn: A sharp 180-degree turn while at a gallop.
- Drifting: Sliding sideways around sharp corners.
- Whistle Range: You can call your horse from much farther away.
Keeping Your Horse Healthy
A horse’s cores (Health, Stamina, Energy) must be managed.
- Feeding: Keep the cores full by feeding good food.
- Resting: Let your horse rest if its cores are drained.
- Saddles: Equipping a high-quality saddle (like the RDR2 stable horse purchase PC options) increases the maximum capacity of the horse’s stamina and health cores permanently.
RDR2 Free Horses PC: Are There Any?
Many players look for ways to bypass the cost. RDR2 free horses PC are available, but they usually involve specific story progression or methods involving taming.
Story-Related Free Horses
Early in Chapter 2, you are given a temporary horse by an NPC. While technically free, this horse is often basic and may not be a permanent addition unless you stable it quickly.
Taming as Free Acquisition
The primary source of RDR2 free horses PC is RDR2 taming wild horses PC. Any horse you successfully tame and then stable becomes yours permanently without paying any purchase price. This includes the high-tier wild horses like the Mustangs or the White Arabian.
Unique Circumstances
During certain missions or encounters, you might be able to “borrow” or temporarily acquire exceptional horses. Always try to stable any good horse you come across if you want to keep it!
Advanced Horse Acquisition Strategies
As you progress, your goals shift from just getting a horse to getting the right horse for your play style. This is the essence of a good RDR2 horse acquisition guide PC.
Choosing Based on Chapter/Game State
Your needs change depending on where you are in the game.
| Game Stage | Recommended Horse Focus | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Early Game (Ch. 1 & 2) | Tame a high-tier wild horse (Arabian) or buy a cheap Morgan. | Need reliable transport; money is scarce. |
| Mid-Game (Ch. 3 & 4) | Purchase a high-tier horse from the stable (e.g., Missouri Fox Trotter). | Access to more money; better stats needed for larger map traversal. |
| Epilogue (John Marston) | Focus on role horses or top-tier purchases (e.g., Turkoman). | Better stats directly impact mission efficiency. |
The Importance of RDR2 PC horse bonding in High-Level Riding
When you are RDR2 acquiring high-level horses PC, you want to maximize their potential. A Level 1 bond on an $800 horse means its stats are handicapped. Take the time to bond with that expensive purchase immediately. A bonded horse is faster and more resilient than an unbonded one, even if their base stats are similar.
Specialized Breeds for Specific Tasks
If you hunt Legendary Animals or frequently engage in high-speed chases, you should choose a breed suited for the job.
- Endurance/Long Hauls: Breeds with high base stamina (like Arabians or Mustangs) are superior.
- Combat/Durability: Breeds with high health cores, often the Turkoman or certain high-end American Standardbreds, are best. Their ability to take hits without throwing you is vital in firefights.
Stabling and Customization
Once you own a horse, you must register it at a stable to make it permanent. This process makes it accessible via the whistle system across the map.
Registering Your Horse
- Take the horse to any stable.
- Select “Stable Services.”
- Choose “Board Horse.”
- You must pay a small boarding fee.
- Name your horse (if it was wild).
Customization Options
Stables are also where you personalize your mount. This includes:
- Saddles and Stirrups: Directly affect core regeneration rates.
- Bridles and Halters: Purely cosmetic.
- Saddle Bags: Increase the amount of consumables you can carry on your horse.
- Manes and Tails: Haircuts and dyeing options.
- Horseshoes: Slightly affect noise level and stamina drain.
Choosing the right gear is a subtle but important part of RDR2 horse acquisition guide PC. A good saddle saves time by reducing the need to constantly feed your horse.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Horse Mechanics
Q: Can I have more than one horse in RDR2 PC?
A: Yes, you can own up to six horses at a time across all your available stable slots. You can only have one active “main” horse saddled at any given time.
Q: How do I quickly swap between my owned horses?
A: Go to any stable. Select “Horse Menu” or “View Horses.” You can choose which horse to bring out onto the road. If you are out in the world, you can only call your currently assigned main horse.
Q: Do I lose my horse if Arthur/John dies?
A: No. If your main horse dies (Health core empties completely), you receive a notification, and you can simply summon a new horse from the stable. However, any bonding progress on the dead horse is lost unless you had another horse registered.
Q: Are there differences between horses Arthur and John can ride?
A: In the main story, the mechanics are the same. In the Epilogue, John has access to slightly different, perhaps marginally better, breeds available for RDR2 stable horse purchase PC. The core mechanics of RDR2 PC horse bonding remain identical for both characters.
Q: What is the fastest way to increase RDR2 PC horse bonding?
A: Brush your horse when its core is yellow or red, and feed it premium horse food (like Special Horse Care items) when its hunger core is low. These actions provide the largest boosts in short periods.
Q: Where can I find the best locations for RDR2 legendary horse PC encounters besides the White Arabian?
A: While the White Arabian is the most famous early find, the absolute highest-tier horses are only available for purchase or through specific late-game role unlocks. For wild encounters, focus on the North Grizzlies for hardy breeds and the Great Plains for faster breeds.
Q: Can I steal a horse from an NPC camp and keep it permanently?
A: You can ride any horse you find. However, if you want to keep it permanently, you must take it to a stable and register it. Stables will often reject horses that are too old, too damaged, or are already clearly owned by a specific faction (like military horses). Taming wild horses is much more reliable for permanent, free acquisition.