Summary

• There are 19 different types of horses in Red Dead Redemption 2, each with different stats and traits.
• Draft horses like the Belgian and Suffolk Punch are great for heavy labor, while racehorses like the Nokota and Thoroughbred excel in speed and agility.
• Finding the best horse in the game depends on personal preference and intended use, but there are a few horses that are better than the rest in almost every aspect.

One of the best parts about Red Dead Redemption 2 is the complete freedom to explore the map on horseback, but what's even better is the sheer number of horses that Arthur can choose to accompany him on his journey. In addition to visual and aesthetic differences, each horse has its own specific set of strengths, weaknesses, and mannerisms affecting how it interacts with the Western RPG's protagonist. Indeed, personal preference may play a role in each player's choice of steed - but ultimately, there can only be one best horse in Red Dead Redemption 2.

There are a total of 19 horse breeds in RDR2, and each has different coat styles, bringing the total variations of horses in RDR2 to over 60. Arthur can acquire horses by buying them from stables or by wrangling them in the wild, with many different equipable saddles that can further boost stats. In addition to speed and acceleration stats, horses in RDR2 have a few other stats like stamina, health, and handling, which will determine their overall usefulness. Bonding with your horse in Red Dead Redemption 2 is another way to boost the horse's overall stats.

19 Morgan ($55)

Can Be Caught In The Wild Or Purchased At Valentine Stable

Morgans are basic horses with average speed and stamina, making them suitable for short trips around Red Dead Redemption 2's map. However, they're slower than many other breeds, and their health pool leaves something to be desired. Morgans can be found in the wild or Valentine Stable after Chapter 2 of the game. Although the Bay Roan and Palomino colors of the breed are available to buy, Arthur can also find the horses in the wild with the Bay and Flaxen Chestnut.

18 Kentucky Saddler ($55)

Can Be Caught In The Wild Or Purchased At Valentine Stable

Kentucky Saddlers are common horses in Red Dead Redemption 2. They have a laid-back nature, making them perfect companions for riding short distances, and since they can be found all over the map, they're quick and easy to tame. Kentucky Saddlers do have their downsides, though; they're not too fast and can't accelerate particularly quickly. They're only slightly better than Morgans in this regard. Arthur can catch the Gray, Black, Chestnut Pinto, and Silver Bay coats in the wild, and the Gray is also available for purchase in stables.

17 Tennessee Walker ($60/$150)

Can Be Caught In The Wild Or Purchased At Valentine or Tumbleweed Stables

Purely based on style, Tennessee Walkers are one of the best horses in RDR2. They have seven different coat varieties: Red Roan, Black Rabicano, Chestnut, and Dapple Bay, which can be found in the wild. However, not all Tennesse Walkers are created equal. The Dapple Dark Grey and Flaxen Roan coats both offer better stats across the board. Gameplay-wise, the higher-tier Tennessee Walker horses are sturdy and healthy, and they handle long distances across Red Dead Redemption 2's massive map.

The Flaxen Roan variation of the Tennessee Walker, which has four Health and five Stamina, can be found in Tumbleweed Stable after Epilogue Part 1.

16 Belgian ($120)

Can Be Caught In The Wild

Belgians are strong draft horses in RDR2. Draft horses are among the sturdiest horses in the game, and they are what players should prioritize for tasks such as pulling carts, carriages, wagons, and coaches. Like most draft horses, Belgians are incredibly strong. They have excellent health and stamina and have the fastest acceleration among the Heavy breeds. Belgians are sturdy and come in two coats - Blond Chestnut and Mealy Chestnut.

15 Shire ($120/$130)

Can Be Caught In The Wild

The Shire is another breed of draft horse, meaning that it's well suited to heavy pulling or hauling. They are one of the strongest horse breeds in the game, but their large size and heavy weight make them more difficult to handle. Unfortunately, their speed and stamina are only average, meaning that they're a far cry from the best overall horse in Red Dead Redemption 2. Shires come in three coats: Raven Black, Dark Bay, and Light Gray. All three are available in the wild. The Raven Black coat gives the horse slightly higher stamina than horses of other colors.

14 Suffolk Punch ($120)

Can Be Caught In The Wild Or Purchased At Tumbleweed And Van Horn Stables

The Suffolk Punch is another draft horse in Red Dead Redemption 2. With its stocky and compact frame, it's the ideal breed for heavy labor on farms. They can work extremely long hours without getting tired, are very sturdy and healthy, and even have a good speed for their breed. The Suffolk Punch breed, however, is a little harder to find, as it is only available in the wild. These horses are also heavy, which means that they are often difficult to handle. They come in two different coats - Red Chestnut and Sorrel.

13 Appaloosa ($130/$450)

Can Be Caught In The Wild Or Purchased At Tumbleweed And Van Horn Stables

The next step up from a draft horse is the work horse, such as the Appaloosa. It's a breed that is perfect for just about any kind of work needed at a ranch; they are rather healthy and have good speed, agility, and stamina. Appaloosas are often found in the midwestern part of the game map. The Blanket and Leopard Blanket coats are found in the wild, but Arthur can purchase the Leopard and Brown Leopard coats at a stable. Both of which have much higher stats than their lower-level counterparts.

12 Nokota ($130/$450)

Can Be Caught In The Wild Or Purchased At Saint Denis Stable

If Arthur needs to quickly get to a town, landmark, or a therapeutic campsite in Red Dead Redemption 2, players will want to consider using a racehorse like the Nokota. It's a breed with respectable speed and acceleration, meaning that it can make a fast getaway from trouble if needed. These horses are also healthy and handle exceptionally well.

The majority of Nokotas are located in the Western part of the Red Dead Redemption 2 map. The Reverse Dapple Roan is the best of the three coats, with much greater speed than the other two Nokota coats. Arthur can find the Blue Roan and White Roan in the wild, but the Reverse Dapple Roan must be purchased from Saint Denis Stable after Chapter 4 of the game.

11 Thoroughbred ($130/$450)

Can Be Caught In The Wild Or Purchased At Strawberry Stable

Thoroughbred horses are lean, mean racing machines. A kind of racehorse, this breed is made for athletics with great stamina, agility, and acceleration. If Arthur needs to sprint short distances, the Thoroughbred horse is what he wants to do so with. While they are easy to handle for the most part, they can get a little clumsy if Arthur pushes them too far past their endurance, which is an important factor to keep in mind.

Thoroughbreds have three coats - the Brindle, the Blood Bay, and the Dapple Grey. The Brindle, which has the highest speed of this breed, is available for purchase in stables, but the others are only available in the wild.

A unique Seal Brown coated Thoroughbred named Rachel can be obtained at the beginning of the epilogue.

10 American Standardbred ($130-$400)

Can Be Caught In The Wild Or Purchased At Valentine or Tumbleweed Stables

Another racing horse in Red Dead Redemption 2 is the American Standardbred. These horses are lean and agile with great stamina and acceleration, and they can maintain a fast pace for a long while. Though the Silver Tail Buckskin variation of the breed does boast higher stats, they still pale in comparison with many other horses in the game.

As a race horse, American Standardbreds are some of the fastest horses in Red Dead Redemption 2 outside of the very best horses. They come in four coats: the Palomino Dapple, the Silver Tail Buckskin, the Black, and the Buckskin. Although the Silvertail Buckskin and Palomino Dapple are available for purchase at stables, the Black and Buckskin are only available for catching in the wild.