You can ride around on a Morgan for all of Red Dead Redemption 2, and you will be able to complete everything. But, why would you want to? The best horse really comes down to two things: appearance and enjoyability of riding.
Once you have tamed a horse in the wild or bought one from a stable, you will be able to increase your bond level with the creature by feeding, brushing, reassuring them when they get nervous, etc. This will increase their call distance and their stats, including their health and stamina, as well as unlock additional abilities and decrease the likelihood that they become spooked.
Now it’s time to pick the one that’s best for you.
1. Arabian: White (Early Game)
| Health | Stamina | Speed | Acceleration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
Location: The Wild
Early Game: Chapter 2
Type: Superior
Handling: Elite
The Rundown
This is arguably the best overall horse in the entire game. It’s available early in the game, it’s free, and it has great all-purpose stats. If you don’t want to deal with stabling and only want to acquire one horse, this is the one.
The downside to Arabians, in general, is that they can be flightier than the other horses. While I have not experienced this much myself, it is commonly reported by some players that Arabians are too flighty and will throw you due to predators or combat. If you find this horse getting nervous easily even after you have reached max level bond, move on to a non-Arabian horse.
Acquiring the White Arabian
The White Arabian will spawn in the wilds starting in Chapter 2 where you can tame it. Arabians are notorious for being a bit more difficult than other breeds to tame, so take it slow.
You’ll find this horse on the northwestern side of Lake Isabella in Grizzlies West once you can free roam. Travel northwest from Valentine, you’ll cross over the Dakota River, and continue northwest just past Mount Hagen. The location is almost at the edge of the map.
After you have traveled to the northwestern side of the lake, you’ll be looking for an all-white horse amidst the copious amount of snow. It is easiest to find using Dead Eye. This horse will be alone instead of surrounded by other horses.
Once you’ve located the horse, approach it extra slowly or lasso it, so that you can mount and tame it. Be aware that, like other Arabians, it will be more likely to bolt and will kick more until tamed.
2. Arabian: Red Chestnut (Early Game)
| Health | Stamina | Speed | Acceleration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
Location: The Wild
Early Game: Chapter 2
Type: Superior
Handling: Elite
The Rundown
While this companion doesn’t quite boast the stats of the White Arabian, it’s an excellent horse with a gorgeous coat. It’s one of my favorite coats in the game and the first that I found organically.
Originally, this variant was exclusive to the online game but has since come to story mode on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation.
Acquiring the Red Chestnut Arabian
To find this horse, head to the hills on the western side of Lake Owanjila in West Elizabeth after reaching Chapter 2. First, head to Strawberry. Then, head west until you find Lake Owanjila and head to the western bank.
You will find the Red Chestnut Arabian alone somewhere in the hills. Approach it slowly and then tame it.
3. Arabian: Warped Brindle (Early Game)
| Health | Stamina | Speed | Acceleration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 5 | 6 | 4 |
Location: The Wild
Early Game: Chapter 2
Type: Superior
Handling: Elite
The Rundown
I love the coat on the Warped Brindle. The Arabians are excellent horses when it comes to handling and agility. They will serve you well throughout the entire game, and if you got no other horses besides the free Arabians you’d do well.
However, there are other great horses available.
Acquiring the Warped Brindle Arabian
The Warped Brindle Arabian spawns west of the Wapiti Indian Reservation in the northernmost section of the map once you have reached Chapter 2. The Wapiti Indian Reservation is a decent way northeast of Valentine.
From Valentine, you’ll head over the Cumberland Forest and then it’s north from Fort Wallace or Bacchus Station. After arriving at the Wapiti Indian Reservation, head into the hills on the western side to search for this horse. As with the other wild Arabians, it will be alone and you should approach and tame it slowly.
4. Dutch Warmblood: Chocolate Roan (Mid Game)
| Health | Stamina | Speed | Acceleration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 6 | 4 | 3 |
Location: Valentine Stable
Mid Game: Chapter 3
Type: Work
Handling: Standard
The Rundown
With a temperament suited for long rides, this companion has average speed and acceleration and excellent health and stamina. Being a work-type horse, they possess a brave spirit and handle overall well. This Dutch Warmblood makes an excellent addition to Arthur or John’s stable.
Acquiring the Chocolate Roan Dutch Warmblood
Upon completing Chapter 2, this beautiful creature becomes available to buy from the Valentine Stable. Its base price is $450.
There is an exploitive method to get this horse available. As I am not a player who takes advantage of bugs and exploits like that, I will not describe it here. However, if you are, follow this link.
5. Thoroughbred: Brindle (Mid Game)
| Health | Stamina | Speed | Acceleration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 7 | 5 |
Location: Strawberry Stable
Mid Game: Chapter 3
Type: Race
Handling: Race
The Rundown
This companion boasts the best base speed that a horse can have, and its acceleration is nothing to snicker at either. While its health and stamina are closer to the lower end, after you have a level 4 bond with the horse it’ll perform pretty well. I do advise always keeping a horse reviver with you just in case, but it's worth pointing out for this one.
As a racehorse, this horse performs well in terms of agility and handling. This is a great horse to ride when you first hit that point where you need to cross from the frozen north to Saint Denis.
Acquiring the Brindle Thoroughbred
The simplest way to acquire this horse is to buy it from the Strawberry Stable once you have reached Chapter 3. The base price is $450. This is the method I employed.
It is possible to steal this horse during a specific random encounter. While you are roaming the roads surrounding Saint Denis, a woman will approach you to challenge you to a race to Catfish Jackson’s. As she is riding a Brindle Thoroughbred, you have the option to remove her from the horse and chase it down to steal it.
It will be some extra work to chase this horse down. Some players reported needing to jump directly onto the horse in order to catch it.
To trigger this event, you have to be out on the road near Saint Denis. I encountered this event when I was outside of Braithwaite Manor in chapter 3, but I have also heard of it triggering in the bayou northwest of Saint Denis. It is a random event so you have to run around until it occurs.
6. Arabian: Black (Mid Game)
| Health | Stamina | Speed | Acceleration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
Location: Saint Denis Stable
Mid Game: Chapter 4
Type: Superior
Handling: Elite
The Rundown
The Black Arabian gets a stat boost over the ones that you can find in the wild earlier in the game. It's an exquisite coat that you will love as you ride around. This companion boasts all the benefits in terms of excellent handling and agility awarded to the elite Arabian.
Acquiring the Black Arabian
Upon reaching Chapter 4, this horse will be available to buy from the Saint Denis Stable. This one is expensive, costing $1,050.
It is possible to steal this horse during a random encounter at night in Saint Denis. If you go to Saint Denis after dark, there is a small chance of encountering a mugging on the street. Whether or not you interfere with the mugging, you can find the Black Arabian tethered to one of the stations nearby where you can steal it. Upon encountering this couple, you will have to look around as the horse is not always within sight distance of the mugging.
7. Missouri Fox Trotter: Amber Champagne (Mid Game)
| Health | Stamina | Speed | Acceleration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 6 | 7 | 5 |
Location: Scarlett Meadows Stable
Mid Game: Chapter 4
Type: Race/ Work
Handling: Standard
The Rundown
As a cross between a race and a workhorse, the Missouri Fox Trotter performs well in both combat and when crossing over long distances. The beautiful golden color of the Amber Champagne coat reflects the sun beautifully. This variant of the breed has the highest base speed available, and its other stats are all strong.
Acquiring the Amber Champagne Missouri Fox Trotter
This horse is available to buy from the Scarlet Meadow Stables from Chapter 4 onward. It costs $950.
8. Turkoman: Gold (Mid Game)
| Health | Stamina | Speed | Acceleration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 5 | 6 | 5 |
Location: Saint Denis Stable
Mid Game: Chapter 4
Type: Race/ War
Handling: Standard
The Rundown
The Turkoman has a strong and courageous spirit and the Gold Turkoman has the highest base health available. Stamina, speed, and acceleration are all on the higher end making this among the best horses in the game. Its handling and reactivity are strong, giving this horse an A+ grade.
Acquiring the Gold Turkoman
Upon reaching Chapter 4, the Gold Turkoman will be available to buy from the Saint Denis Stable for $950.
9. Ardennes: Strawberry Roan (Late Game)
| Health | Stamina | Speed | Acceleration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 5 | 3 | 3 |
Location: Van Horne Stable
Late Game: Chapter 6
Type: War
Handling: Standard
The Rundown
The Ardennes is a large and healthy breed of horses and the Strawberry Roan has excellent health and stamina while lacking the top speed and acceleration of smaller breeds. If you want an imposing horse with iconic tufts of fur around the legs, this one's for you.
This war-type horse holds up well in a fight and when predators are around. While it still is possible for this horse to throw you due to combat or predators, it performs excellently in that metric.
Acquiring the Strawberry Roan Ardennes
Starting in Chapter 6, you can purchase this horse from the Van Horn Stable for $450.
10. Andalusian: Rose Grey (Late Game)
| Health | Stamina | Speed | Acceleration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 5 | 3 | 3 |
Location: Van Horne Stable
Late Game: Chapter 6
Type: War
Handling: Standard
The Rundown
As an example of a horse with the highest base health and excellent stamina, this war horse will survive a fight like a champ. What it lacks in speed and acceleration, it makes up for in grit. The handling and agility are average, and it doesn’t spook easily.
Acquiring the Rose Grey Andalusian
This horse becomes available for purchase from the Van Horn Stables upon reaching Chapter 6. Its base cost is $440.
11. Turkoman: Silver (Late Game)
| Health | Stamina | Speed | Acceleration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 5 | 6 | 5 |
Location: Tumbleweed Stable
Late Game: Epilogue
Type: Race/ War
Handling: Standard
The Rundown
We come to the first of the horses available only to John. It has the highest base health available and its stamina, speed, and acceleration are all top-tier. With few weaknesses, the Silver Turkoman is a great companion to add to your stable.
Acquiring the Silver Turkoman
This beautiful companion is available after reaching the epilogue at the Tumbleweed Stable. It costs $950.
12. Arabian: Rose Grey Bay (Late Game)
| Health | Stamina | Speed | Acceleration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 |
Location: Blackwater Stable
Late Game: Epilogue
Type: Superior
Handling: Elite
The Rundown
The Rose Grey Bay Arabian has the highest stat block of all horses in the game. This superb horse has the excellent handling and agility of all Arabians. While it will spook if too close to a predator, this is easily one of the best horses in the game.
The only downside to this companion is that Arthur never gets a chance to ride it.
Acquiring the Rose Grey Bay Arabian
In the epilogue, this horse is purchasable from the Blackwater Stable. Its price does reflect its high value coming in at a whopping $1250.
