Your horse is more than transport in Red Dead Redemption 2 – it’s your lifeline. But what if you’re tired of its look or need better stats? Here’s how to replace, bond, and customize your trusted companion at the stables.
All matters related to horseback riding can be dealt with in the stables. They can be found in different parts of the world map. The first stables you visit in the game is the one located in the town of Valentine.
Stables allow you to, first of all, “store” the horses owned by Arthur. There is room for up to four horses in the stables. If you fill the limit of your horses, it is best to sell the one you don’t need.
In the stables you can also buy new horses. The best mounts cost up to several hundred dollars, but thanks to that their initial statistics are high.
Apart from buying, selling or leaving the horse in the stables, you can also perform a number of additional activities – changing the appearance of the horse, choosing new equipment for the horse, ordering horse cleaning or buying food and medicines for the horse (including a refreshing agent that allows you to restore it to full strength in the event of a serious accident).
Additional note – a “tutorial” for the stables is included in the second chapter of the game as part of the main mission Exit Pursued by a Bruised Ego (hunting for the legendary bear). Don’t be hasty to reach the stables immediately after the introduction to the game.
Make a tamed wild horse my main mount step by step
To make a tamed wild horse your main mount in Red Dead Redemption 2, first ensure stables are unlocked (after Chapter 2’s “Exit Pursued by a Bruised Ego”). Follow these steps carefully to avoid losing the horse.
Step 1: Tame the Wild Horse
Approach a wild horse slowly while holding L2/LT to focus; press Square/X repeatedly to calm it if the agitation meter rises. Lasso it if needed, then mount from the side-counter its bucks by pulling the left stick opposite the direction it leans (left for right bucks, right for left). Pat it once settled to start bonding.
Step 2: Transfer Your Saddle
Whistle for your current horse (double-tap up on D-pad), approach it, hold L2/LT for the menu, and press up on D-pad to remove the saddle. Approach the tamed wild horse and hold up on D-pad to place the saddle-this sets it as your temporary main mount and boosts initial bonding.
Step 3: Register at a Stable
Ride the saddled horse to the nearest stable (e.g., Valentine). Enter “Manage Owned Horses,” select the new horse, and choose “Saddle Up” or customize it. Stables store up to three active horses; set this one as primary to whistle it anywhere.
How to put a saddle on a tamed wild horse in RDR2
To put a saddle on a tamed wild horse in Red Dead Redemption 2 (single-player), ensure you’ve completed the Chapter 2 mission “Exit Pursued by a Bruised Ego” to unlock horse management. This transfers ownership and makes it your active mount.
Step 1: Call Your Current Horse
Double-tap up on the D-pad (or equivalent on PC) to whistle your saddled horse to you. Approach it while holding L2/LT (aim button) to open the horse interaction menu.
Step 2: Remove the Saddle
With the menu open, press up on the D-pad to “Remove Saddle.” The saddle drops nearby; pick it up automatically if prompted.
Step 3: Apply to Tamed Horse
Approach the tamed wild horse, hold L2/LT for its menu, and press up on the D-pad to “Place Saddle.” This sets it as your main horse-ride it to a stable next to register and customize.
