You’ve probably spent hours galloping across the Heartlands, chasing after that elusive White Arabian because some YouTube thumbnail told you it was the "ultimate" steed. I get it. We all did it. But after spending years digging into the literal code and thousands of hours in the saddle, I’m here to tell you that the obsession with raw speed in all horses in rdr2 is mostly a trap.
Red Dead Redemption 2 doesn't just give you a vehicle with four legs. It gives you a partner with a personality, a specialized role, and sometimes, a frustratingly short fuse.
The Speed Myth and What Actually Matters
Let’s get the math out of the way first. Most people think a horse with 10 speed is twice as fast as one with 5. It’s not. In fact, the difference in a cross-country sprint from Saint Denis to Valentine between the slowest Morgan and the fastest Missouri Fox Trotter is only about 10%. Seriously.
What actually kills you in a gunfight isn't your top speed; it's your horse's courage and health.
If you're looking at all horses in rdr2, you’re really looking at four main categories:
- Riding Horses: The "meh" tier. Think Morgans and Kentucky Saddlers.
- Work Horses: Tough, high stamina, but they turn like a freight train. (Appaloosa, American Paint).
- War Horses: Absolute tanks. They won’t buck you when a gun goes off, but they aren't winning any races. (Andalusian, Ardennes, Hungarian Halfbred).
- Race Horses: Fast and fragile. One wolf howl and you’re eating dirt. (Thoroughbred, Nokota).
Then you have the Multi-Class beauties like the Turkoman (War/Race) or the Missouri Fox Trotter (Work/Race). These are the real MVPs of the late game.
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The Arabian Obsession: High Risk, High Reward
The White Arabian is basically the Ferrari of 1899. You find it up by Lake Isabella, shivering in the snow. It’s got "Elite" handling, which means it feels incredibly responsive. You move the stick, it dances.
But man, is it a coward.
I’ve had a White Arabian buck me into a swamp because a snake breathed too loudly fifty yards away. If you want a horse that stays calm while you're being chased by the Lemoyne Raiders, the Arabian is your worst enemy. It’s small, too. Arthur looks like he’s riding a pony.
If you want a "Superior" class horse that actually feels like a beast, look for the Black Arabian in Saint Denis (you can steal it during a random encounter at night) or the Rose Grey Bay in the epilogue. They have slightly better health and stamina, though they’re still just as skittish.
The Workhorses Nobody Talks About
While everyone is fighting over Arabians, the smart players are looking at the Hungarian Halfbred or the Dutch Warmblood.
The Dutch Warmblood—specifically the Chocolate Roan you buy at the Valentine stable—is a masterpiece of balance. It has massive stamina. You can gallop for days. More importantly, it doesn’t care about wolves. I’ve trampled predators with a Warmblood that would have sent an Arabian screaming for the hills.
Then there’s the Mustang. You find these in the wild (The Heartlands or New Austin). They’re tiny, sure, but they’re "War/Work" hybrids. They have some of the best natural bravery in the game. A Tiger Striped Bay Mustang is arguably the coolest-looking horse in the entire world of all horses in rdr2, but you can't get it until you reach the desert in the epilogue.
How to Actually Get the Best Horses Early
You don't have to wait until Chapter 6 to get a high-tier mount. There are ways.
- The Albert Mason Trick: During the third mission for the wildlife photographer ("Arcadia for Amateurs"), you can actually track and jump onto the Silver Dapple Pinto Missouri Fox Trotter. This is normally an epilogue horse. It’s a pain to do—you have to use Eagle Eye to track its trail after the cutscene—but it’s the best horse Arthur can possibly own.
- The Saint Denis Robbery: I mentioned this before. Walk around North Saint Denis at night. Look for a couple being robbed. If you let it play out or intervene, their Black Arabian is usually hitched nearby. Just hop on and ride to a stable.
- The Perlino Andalusian: This is a hidden gem. Head to Brandywine Drop (the big waterfall in the far northeast). Up on the cliffs, there’s a wild Perlino Andalusian. It’s a War horse with 10/10 potential health. It’s free. It’s beautiful. And it won't run away when a cougar shows up.
Bonding is the Secret Sauce
Stats are only half the story. A Level 4 bond changes everything.
You get the "Drift" (RB/R1 + X/Square while moving), which is basically a power slide. It’s essential for navigating thick forests without hitting a tree. Plus, at Level 4, your horse’s health and stamina bars get a massive boost.
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Pro tip: To bond fast, don't just ride. Lead your horse. Physically walking and leading it by the reins gives you way more bonding points per minute than galloping does. Also, brush it. Always. A dirty horse loses stamina faster because its core drains. It’s a small detail, but in a long chase, it’s the difference between escaping and being caught.
Which Breed Should You Actually Use?
If you want my honest, expert opinion?
The Turkoman. It’s the perfect blend of size, speed, and courage. It’s tall, so Arthur looks like a legendary gunslinger. It’s a War/Race hybrid, meaning it has the speed of a Thoroughbred but the heart of a soldier. You can buy the Gold one in Saint Denis starting in Chapter 4. It’s expensive ($950), but worth every cent.
If you’re still in Chapter 2, go get that Perlino Andalusian by the waterfall. It’s the best "tank" you can get for free early on.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check your stable: See if you’re holding onto a Morgan or Saddler just out of habit. Sell them. They aren't helping you.
- Visit Brandywine Drop: Go find that Perlino Andalusian. Even if you don't keep it, it’s a great backup.
- Invest in a better saddle: The "Panther Trail Saddle" from the Trapper is actually better than anything you can buy in a stable. It cuts stamina drain by huge percentages.
- Stop sprinting everywhere: Your horse's "Calm" button (L3/LS) actually restores a bit of stamina if you time it with the gallop rhythm. Learn the beat. Your horse will thank you.
Choosing from all horses in rdr2 isn't about finding the "best" one on a spreadsheet. It’s about finding the one that doesn't dump you in the mud when the O'Driscolls start shooting. Stats matter, but trust matters more.