The Best Horse Breeds In RDR2

Navigating the world of Red Dead Redemption 2 can feel overwhelming at first, especially during the early stages of the game. You’ll often find yourself riding back and forth between camp and nearby towns. While fast travel does exist, it’s not always the most convenient or accessible option.

Because of this, you’ll spend a huge portion of your time on horseback. Since your horse is essentially your primary mode of transportation, choosing the right one can make a massive difference. Thankfully, RDR2 features a wide selection of solid horses that can greatly improve your experience while exploring early America.

Note: The horse ranking is primarily based on their stats and how useful they are in the game.

Suffolk Punch

Suffolk Punch horses are extremely common throughout the game, as they’re frequently used to pull wagons. This accessibility is one of their biggest strengths, since you’ll regularly find them around towns and can easily steal one if needed.

These horses are built for heavy labor, thanks to their large and powerful frames that allow them to haul sizable coaches. Because of this, they come with respectable health and stamina pools. Their speed isn’t particularly impressive, but they’re reliable mounts that can take a beating.

Morgan

To be honest, there isn’t a huge statistical advantage that puts the Morgan far above the Suffolk Punch. It’s a fairly common breed with mostly average stats. Its strongest attributes are stamina and speed, which makes it a decent riding horse.

What truly sets the Morgan apart, however, is its name. Sharing a name with the game’s protagonist, Arthur Morgan, gives this horse an emotional edge. Is that a logical reason to prefer it? Probably not. Still, that connection alone makes it feel more special than a standard workhorse.

Kentucky Saddler

The Kentucky Saddler doesn’t boast exceptional stats, but it’s an accessible and affordable horse that works well for shorter journeys. It offers slightly better speed and stamina than the Morgan while also being cheaper by about five dollars on average.

Its standout feature is its slightly above-average health stat. This makes it a surprisingly sturdy choice for risky rides, especially when engaging in activities the law might frown upon. Its survivability combined with its low replacement cost makes it a practical option.

Tennessee Walker

The Tennessee Walker is one of the first horses players encounter, and you’ll see them frequently owned by NPCs. Much like the Morgan and Kentucky Saddler, their stats are modest, but they perform reliably during the early game.

What makes the Tennessee Walker unique is the wide range of coats available, with six different visual variants to choose from. Despite their average stats, they tend to remain calm during gunfire, making them dependable companions in shootouts—just don’t let them get killed.

Belgian

The Belgian Draft is among the more basic horses you can obtain in RDR2. This breed comes with two coat options and sits on the lower end of the draft horse category. Like the Tennessee Walker, they tend to stay calm under fire.

However, their heavy handling can make them feel slow and cumbersome to ride. As with other draft horses, you won’t find them for sale at stables or roaming the wilderness. Instead, they’re only encountered in towns or while pulling wagons.

Shire

If you’re drawn to massive horses, the Shire is an excellent option. These towering animals are commonly used to pull wagons and stagecoaches, much like the Suffolk Punch. Stat-wise, they offer strong health alongside decent stamina and speed.

Most versions of the Shire can be stolen during free roam. If you’re after the best variant—the Raven Black coat—you’ll need to complete the “Exit Pursued By A Bruised Ego” mission in Chapter Two. While the game encourages you to sell it, you can keep it instead.

Appaloosa

The Appaloosa is a favorite among several of Arthur’s allies, including Charles, Trelawny, and Uncle. Their popularity is well deserved, as these horses are impressively well-rounded.

They feature respectable speed and health with moderate handling, but their stamina is where they truly excel. It’s difficult to tire an Appaloosa out, making them ideal for long-distance travel. Their weaker acceleration does make them less effective for short sprints, though. You can buy one at the Tumbleweed or Van Horn Trading Post stables, or occasionally find them in the wild.

American Paint

The American Paint shares many similarities with the Appaloosa in terms of stats. It boasts excellent stamina, decent speed, and average health. Like other workhorses, its main drawback is slower acceleration.

This weakness becomes less noticeable once the horse is leveled up. One version can be purchased from the Tumbleweed stables, but several can also be found roaming freely. Just don’t attempt to steal Javier’s horse.

American Standardbred

If you’re searching for an inexpensive racehorse, the American Standardbred is a solid option. As expected, it offers strong speed and respectable acceleration.

That said, it’s not well suited for extended trips due to its low stamina and health. Where it shines is short bursts of speed. You can buy one at the Valentine or Tumbleweed stables, and there’s also a chance to encounter one in the wild.

Dutch Warmblood

The Dutch Warmblood is classified as a workhorse and provides a well-balanced stat spread, including good stamina, health, and speed. Its only notable weakness is slightly slower acceleration.

While not ideal for racing, it performs well for everyday travel and general tasks. You can purchase one in Valentine after Chapter Two, or later from the Scarlet Meadows or Strawberry stables after Chapter Three.

Hungarian Half-bred

If toughness is your priority, the Hungarian Half-bred is hard to beat. This breed is a true warhorse, designed to withstand punishment. Like most warhorses, it trades speed and acceleration for impressive health and stamina.

There are three coat variations available. Two can be found in the wild, while the third becomes available for purchase at the Valentine Stable after Chapter Two.

Mustang

Mustangs are unique in RDR2 because they belong to both the warhorse and workhorse categories. Stat-wise, they offer above-average stamina and health, with speed that sits comfortably in the middle.

You can find Mustangs roaming the Heartlands of New Hanover or near Fort Mercer in New Austin. To obtain the rare Tiger Striped Mustang, you’ll need to search near Rio Del Lobo Rock in New Austin.

Andalusian

The Andalusian is another excellent warhorse with outstanding stats. Like others in its class, it boasts high health and stamina.

What sets it apart is its aggressive temperament, which makes it particularly effective for hunting. These horses are difficult to spook, even when predators are nearby. Andalusians can be purchased from the Strawberry or Van Horn stables, and there’s a small chance of encountering one in the wild.

Ardennes

The Ardennes are among the heaviest horses available in the game. As warhorses, they are incredibly durable and fearless, rarely panicking during combat or encounters with wildlife.

They feature exceptional health and stamina, making them true tanks. Unless you pre-ordered the game, you won’t find them in the wild. Instead, they must be purchased from the Van Horn Trading Post Stable or the Scarlet Meadows Stable.

Thoroughbred

If raw speed is what you’re after, the Thoroughbred delivers. These racehorses are some of the fastest in the game, with excellent acceleration that makes them perfect for short-distance travel.

However, their other stats leave much to be desired, making them situational mounts. Two coats can be found in the wild, while a third can be purchased from the Strawberry Stables. Arthur may just favor this horse over many of his fellow gang members.

Turkoman

The Turkoman is a hybrid breed that combines racehorse and warhorse traits. This creates an incredibly versatile animal with high health and speed, alongside above-average stamina and acceleration.

Overall, they are extremely well-balanced and perform well in nearly any scenario. The downside is their steep price, as they typically cost around $1,000. You can buy them from the Saint-Denis, Tumbleweed, and Blackwater stables.

Nokota

The Nokota is another racehorse focused on speed. It offers excellent handling and acceleration, making it a pleasure to ride.

These horses are best used for quick escapes, as they tend to spook more easily than warhorses or workhorses. Two coats can be found in the wild, while a third is available for purchase at the Saint-Denis stables after Chapter Four for $450.

Missouri Fox Trotter

The Missouri Fox Trotter belongs to both the racehorse and workhorse classes. These high-tier horses come with premium price tags, but they justify the cost with outstanding stats.

They excel in speed, stamina, acceleration, and health, making them some of the best mounts in the game. One coat can be purchased from the Scarlet Meadows Stable after Chapter Four, while the other becomes available at the Blackwater Stable after the Epilogue.

Arabian

The Arabian is widely regarded as the best horse in Red Dead Redemption 2. Its stats are exceptional across the board, with no significant weaknesses.

Of the three available coats, the rare white Arabian stands out as the best—and it’s also the only one you won’t need to buy. To find it, travel to the northwestern edge of Lake Isabella. The horse will be alone, and you’ll need to approach carefully to avoid spooking it. Successfully taming it rewards you with the finest horse in the game.