Navigating the world of Red Dead Redemption 2 can be quite a daunting task, especially early in the game. You’ll find yourself frequently traveling between your camp and various towns. Although there is some fast travel available, it’s not always the most practical choice.
All of this means that you’ll be spending a significant amount of time on horseback. Since so much of the game is spent atop your trusty steed, it’s important to ensure you have the best one. Fortunately, RDR2 offers plenty of good options to make your journey through early America less of a chore.
Updated on December 23, 2025 by Ben Jessey: To make this list about the best horses in Red Dead Redemption 2 more informative, we added the attributes of each steed.
The horse ranking is primarily based on their stats and how useful they are in the game.
19
Suffolk Punch
|
Coat |
Health |
Stamina |
Speed |
Acceleration |
Where To Find |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Red Chestnut |
Low |
Medium |
3 |
2 |
Often attached to wagons. |
|
Sorrel |
Low |
Medium |
3 |
2 |
Often attached to wagons. |
There are plenty of Suffolk Punch horses in the game, as they’re often the ones pulling wagons. This is part of what makes them a solid steed, as they’re simple to obtain since there are many around for you to steal.
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The reason they get carriage duty is because of their large, heavy frames that help them pull the larger coaches. As is required for this kind of job, they have a decent amount of health and stamina. Their speed stats aren’t too great, but they’re dependable overall.
18
Morgan
|
Coat |
Health |
Stamina |
Speed |
Acceleration |
Where To Find |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bay |
Low |
Low |
3 |
2 |
Find wandering around in the wild and populated areas. |
|
Bay Roan |
Low |
Low |
3 |
2 |
Find wandering around in the wild and populated areas. |
|
Flaxen Chestnut |
Low |
Low |
3 |
2 |
Find wandering around, and Duncan Geddes has this horse. |
|
Liver Chestnut |
Low |
Medium |
4 |
2 |
Find wandering around in the wild and populated areas. |
|
Palomino |
Low |
Low |
3 |
2 |
Find wandering around in the wild and populated areas. |
Arguably, the most special thing about the Morgan breed is that it shares a name with the game’s iconic protagonist. Yet, that isn’t enough to consider it a good horse.
The reason why the steed deserves respect is because of its solid speed and stamina, particularly the Liver Chestnut version. Plus, these horses are quite easy to find since they’re basically everywhere, meaning you don’t have to sink hours upon hours into the game to locate one.
17
Kentucky Saddler
|
Coat |
Health |
Stamina |
Speed |
Acceleration |
Where To Find |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Black |
Low |
Low |
3 |
2 |
Wandering around in the wild. Also, some NPCs have them as their mounts. |
|
Buttermilk Buckskin |
Low |
Low |
4 |
2 |
Wandering around in the wild. Also, some NPCs have them as their mounts. |
|
Chestnut Pinto |
Low |
Low |
3 |
2 |
Wandering around in the wild. Also, some NPCs have them as their mounts. |
|
Grey |
Low |
Low |
3 |
2 |
Wandering around in the wild. Also, some NPCs have them as their mounts. |
|
Sabino |
Low |
Low |
3 |
2 |
The only one in the game is Uncle’s horse, Nell II. |
|
Silver Bay |
Low |
Low |
3 |
2 |
Wandering around in the wild. Also, some NPCs have them as their mounts. |
While the stats behind the Kentucky Saddler may not be the most impressive, it’s an accessible horse that will fit excellently in any short travel. With slightly better speed and stamina than the Morgan, it has an average price that’s five dollars lower.
What helps set this one apart is the slightly higher health stat compared to other similar-level steeds, making this an affordable option for any of the more dangerous horseback experiences. You know, the sort of stuff that the law might not agree with. Its higher chance of survival, paired with its lower cost of replacement, makes this breed worth mentioning.
16
Tennessee Walker
|
Coat |
Health |
Stamina |
Speed |
Acceleration |
Where To Find |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Black Rabicano |
Low |
Low |
2 |
2 |
Wandering around in the wild. |
|
Chestnut |
Low |
Low |
2 |
2 |
Wandering around in the wild. |
|
Dapple Bay |
Low |
Low |
2 |
2 |
Wandering around in the wild. |
|
Flaxen Roan |
Medium |
Medium |
3 |
3 |
Available to buy at the Tumbleweed stable in the Epilogue. Kieran has a Flaxen Roan horse. |
|
Gold Palomino |
Low |
Medium |
3 |
2 |
Wandering around in the wild. |
|
Mahogany Bay |
Low |
Medium |
2 |
2 |
Arthur acquires the horse in the first mission. |
|
Red Roan |
Low |
Low |
2 |
2 |
Wandering around in the wild. |
|
Scarred Black Rabicano |
Medium |
Medium |
3 |
3 |
Found during the That’s Murfree Country mission if you choose to take the canoes. |
The Tennessee Walker is one of the first horses you’ll encounter, and you’ll spot them all over as horses owned by NPCs. Similar to the Morgan and Kentucky Saddler, their stats aren’t high, but they’re dependable for early-game riding.
What sets the Tennessee Walker apart is its variety of coats, allowing you to get one of the six distinct appearances. Surprisingly, they stay calm around gunfire, making them a reliable choice during shootouts.
15
Belgian Draft
|
Coat |
Health |
Stamina |
Speed |
Acceleration |
Where To Find |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Blond Chestnut |
Low |
Low |
3 |
3 |
Often seen pulling wagons and carts. |
|
Mealy Chestnut |
Low |
Low |
3 |
3 |
Often seen pulling wagons and carts. |
The Belgian Draft remains one of the best basic horses you can acquire. This horse breed offers two different coats and falls into the lower tier of draft horses. Similar to the Tennessee Walker, they remain calm during gunfights, unlike some other horses in the game. However, due to their heavy handling, riding this horse might feel a bit sluggish.
As with any draft horses, you can’t purchase them from stables or find them in the wild; instead, you can only locate them in towns or driving wagons.
14
Shire
|
Coat |
Health |
Stamina |
Speed |
Acceleration |
Where To Find |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Dark Bay |
Medium |
Low |
3 |
2 |
Often seen pulling wagons and coaches. |
|
Light Bay |
Medium |
Low |
3 |
2 |
Often seen pulling wagons and coaches. |
|
Raven Black |
Medium |
Medium |
3 |
2 |
During Exit Pursued by a Bruised Ego, you take a Raven Black Shire to the stables in Valentine at Hosea’s request. |
If you want a large horse, then the Shire might be for you. These animals are very big, which is why, like the Suffolk Punch, they pull wagons and stagecoaches. From a stats perspective, they have good health as well as decent stamina and speed.
As for acquiring the animal, you can steal most versions of this horse while free-roaming. If you want the best breed, aka the Raven Black one, you can get it during the Exit Pursued By A Bruised Ego mission in chapter two. During the quest, you are encouraged to sell the animal, but you can keep it if you want.
13
Appaloosa
|
Coat |
Health |
Stamina |
Speed |
Acceleration |
Where To Find |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Blanket |
Low |
Medium |
3 |
3 |
Wandering around in the wild, and used as Lawmen mounts. |
|
Brown Leopard |
Medium |
Medium |
4 |
3 |
Available at the Tumbelweed Stable in the Epilogue. Also, Trelawny has this horse. |
|
Few Spot Buckskin |
Low |
Medium |
3 |
3 |
Uncle has a Few Spot Buckskin in the Epilogue. |
|
Few Spotted |
Low |
Medium |
3 |
3 |
Wandering around in the wild and in NPC camps. |
|
Grey Snowcap Spotted |
Low |
Medium |
3 |
3 |
Charles’ horse. |
|
Leopard |
Medium |
High |
4 |
3 |
Buy from the Van Horn Trading Post stable. |
|
Scarred Blanket |
Low |
Low |
2 |
2 |
Found during the That’s Murfree Country mission if you choose to take the canoes. |
The Appaloosa is a popular breed of horse among Arthur’s allies, as Charles, Trelawny, and Uncle all have one. And it’s easy to see why they’re fans because this creature is very well-rounded.
They have decent speed and health, as well as moderate handling. Yet, where they really shine is in their stamina. Tiring this workhorse out is challenging, meaning they’re a good choice for traveling long distances. Perhaps they’re not the best for short races, though, due to their poor acceleration.
12
American Paint
|
Coat |
Health |
Stamina |
Speed |
Acceleration |
Where To Find |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grey Overo |
Medium |
Medium |
4 |
4 |
Available at the Tumbelweed Stable in the Epilogue. Also, Javier’s horse is a Grey Overo. |
|
Overo |
Low |
Medium |
3 |
3 |
Wandering around in the wild. |
|
Palomino Splashed White |
Low |
Medium |
3 |
3 |
Eagle Flies rides a Palomino Splashed White American Paint horse during missions. |
|
Splashed White |
Low |
Medium |
3 |
3 |
Found in NPC camps. |
|
Tobiano |
Low |
Medium |
3 |
3 |
Wandering around in the wild. |
There’s not a whole lot of difference between the Appaloosa and an American Paint in terms of stats. This horse also has excellent stamina, along with okay speed and mediocre health. The only real downside of the workhorse is its lack of acceleration, but it isn’t a huge negative if you level the horse up.
You can purchase one version of this horse from the stables in Tumbleweed. But if you’re looking to save some money, then you can find several out in the wild. Don’t try to steal Javier’s version, though.
11
American Standardbred
|
Coat |
Health |
Stamina |
Speed |
Acceleration |
Where To Find |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Black |
Low |
Low |
4 |
3 |
Wandering around in the wild. |
|
Buckskin |
Low |
Low |
4 |
3 |
Wandering around in the wild. |
|
Palomino Dapple |
Low |
Low |
5 |
4 |
Available from the stable in Valentine. |
|
Silver Tail Buckskin |
Medium |
Medium |
5 |
5 |
Available from the stable in Tumbleweed during the Epilogue. Sean’s horse is a Silver Tail Buckskin. |
If you’re looking for an affordable racehorse, then the American Standardbred is a good choice. These animals have the sort of stats you expect from a racehorse with their high speed and decent acceleration.
Yet, they’re not the sort of steed you want for long journeys, as their stamina and health are not particularly impressive. But for quick sprints, you can’t go wrong with the Standardbred.
10
Dutch Warmblood
|
Coat |
Health |
Stamina |
Speed |
Acceleration |
Where To Find |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Chocolate Roan |
Medium |
Medium |
4 |
3 |
Available from the stable in Valentine. |
|
Cremello Gold |
Medium |
Medium |
5 |
5 |
Hamish’s horse, Buell, is a Cremello Gold Dutch Warmblood. You can get the horse at the end of The Veteran side quest. |
|
Seal Brown |
Medium |
Medium |
3 |
3 |
Available from the stable in Strawberry. |
|
Sooty Buckskin |
Medium |
Medium |
3 |
3 |
Available from the stable in Scarlett Meadows. |
The Dutch Warmblood is considered a workhorse in RDR2. Its stats include a good balance of stamina, health, and speed. Where the Warmblood suffers slightly is in its acceleration. They are not ideal for racing due to this, but for general travel and work needs, they are a solid choice.
You will be able to acquire your own Warmblood after chapter two from one of the best places in New Hanover, Valentine. You can also buy the animal from the Scarlet Meadows Stables or the Strawberry Stables after chapter three.
