In this comprehensive guide, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about horses in Red Dead Redemption 2—how to get the best breeds early, saddle optimization, stirrup effects, and a full breakdown of the hidden stats that influence how your horse behaves.

Let’s be clear right from the start: the White Arabian is not the best horse in the game. It’s free and has high acceleration and speed, sure—but that’s only part of the picture. If you want the best all-around mount, you need to think deeper than just visible stats.

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Understanding Horse Stats

Horses have four primary visible stats:

• Speed
• Acceleration
• Health
• Stamina

But they also have hidden stats, such as:

• Bravery (how your horse reacts to danger)
• Trainability/Bonding Ease

These hidden attributes make a huge difference. A horse that bucks at every gunshot or predator might look great on paper, but it won’t perform well in the heat of a mission.

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How to Get the Best Horses Early (As Early As Chapter 2)

There’s a reliable and free method to find top-tier horses early in the game:

1. Go north of Saint Denis to a spot with three houses close together.
2. Use binoculars to scope the horses that spawn between them.
3. Save your game.
4. Exit and reload the save to get new horse spawns each time.

Once you find a breed you like:

• Remove your saddle from your current horse.
• Place it on the new horse. This makes it your own.
• There’s no bounty or crime for doing this.

You can now ride that horse to a stable and store it. This is the quickest, most cost-effective way to secure elite horses early on.

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Top 3 Horse Breeds (Ranked)

1. Turkoman – The Toughest All-Rounder

• Type: Race Horse + War Horse hybrid
• Strengths:
  • Tied for highest health in the game
  • Extremely brave (resistant to predators and gunfire)
  • Solid speed, stamina, and acceleration
• Best For: Players who want a dependable, tanky horse with solid performance in all areas.
• Saddle Recommendation: Vendor saddle with stirrups to further boost speed and handling.

2. Missouri Fox Trotter – The Speed King

• Type: Race Horse + Work Horse hybrid
• Strengths:
  • Highest potential speed in the game
  • Very high stamina
  • More responsive and braver than Arabians
• Best For: Speed demons and fast travel efficiency
• Saddle Recommendation: Vendor saddle + best stirrups for acceleration and top speed boost

3. Arabian (Rose Gray Bay) – The Precision Pick

• Type: Elite/Superior Horse
• Strengths:
  • High acceleration and speed
  • Top-tier responsiveness and handling
• Weaknesses:
  • Lowest bravery (easily spooked)
  • Not ideal in chaotic environments
• Best Version: Rose Gray Bay > Black > White (white is the weakest of the three)
• Best For: Riders who prioritize control and aesthetics over tankiness

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Saddles and Stirrups – Maximize Performance

There are two categories of saddles:

1. Crafted Saddles (from the Trapper)

• Higher base stats
• Cannot equip stirrups
• Stat display may look negative due to UI quirk, but they always help
• Best for players who want pure durability and slow core drain

2. Vendor Saddles (buyable in stables)

• Slightly lower stats
• Can equip stirrups, which boost speed and acceleration

Stirrups Matter:

• Stirrups noticeably increase acceleration and top speed
• When paired with a good vendor saddle, they can make even mid-tier horses competitive

Recommended Combos:

• Fox Trotter/Turkoman + Vendor Saddle + Best Stirrups = High performance and top speed with balance
• Rose Gray Arabian + Crafted Saddle = Best for raw stat optimization without stirrup boost

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Myth Busting: The White Arabian

It’s time to kill the myth. Yes, the White Arabian is free and flashy. No, it’s not the best.

• It’s the weakest of the three Arabian types
• Very skittish—will throw you or bolt under pressure
• Good, but not great—especially in high-stress moments

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Final Thoughts

There’s no absolute best horse in Red Dead Redemption 2. Instead, you have elite options suited for different needs:

• Turkmens offer the most survivability and bravery.
• Fox Trotters give you unmatched speed and stamina.
• Arabians shine with precision and flair—but come with drawbacks.

Pair your chosen breed with the right saddle and stirrups, and you’ll have a mount that’s both powerful and stylish.

With the reload trick north of Saint Denis, you can start building your dream horse lineup as early as Chapter 2—for free. So saddle up, pick wisely, and hit the trail like a true outlaw.

Thanks for reading. Happy riding!