How to Customize your Horse in Red Dead Redemption 2

In Red Dead Redemption 2, your horse plays a vital role, much like a car in GTA V. From transportation to combat, your horse is by your side. Luckily, you can fully customize it to improve its performance and appearance. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you customize your horse and make it truly your own.

1. Unlock Horse Customization by Completing the “Exit Pursued by a Bruised Ego” Mission

To start customizing your horse, you first need to unlock the Stables. This is done by completing the mission “Exit Pursued by a Bruised Ego” early in the game. During this mission, you and Hosea hunt a legendary bear. Before venturing into the wilderness, Hosea will take you to the Stable in Valentine, which unlocks Stables across the game world.

2. Visit Your Local Stable

Once you’ve completed the mission, head to any Stable to begin customizing your horse. There are several Stables across the map, typically found in major towns. After entering, you’ll be presented with four main options:

• Manage Owned Horses: Allows you to manage up to three horses.
• Buy Horses: Browse available horses for purchase.
• Tack and Services: Customize your horse’s gear and appearance.
• Horse Provisions: Buy items to care for your horse.

The Tack and Services option is where you’ll focus on customizing your horse’s look and performance.

Visit Your Local Stable

Almost every major town in Red Dead Redemption 2 has their own Stables. This is good for us. Make your way  inside the nearest Stable on the horse you wish to customize horse. Inside the Stable you will be shown a number of options:

• Manage owned horses: Manage your owned horses (can have 3 at a time).
• Buy Horses: Browse horses that are in stock.
• Tack and Services: Horse appearance, upgrade and service options.
• Horse Provisions: Buy items to care for your horse.

The option we want to select is Tack and Services. On this menu we can make a number of changes to our horse.

3. Customize Your Horse’s Equipment (Tack)

The Tack menu offers a variety of upgrades that improve your horse’s performance. Here’s what you can modify:

• Saddles: Saddles affect your horse’s stamina and health regeneration. The higher-quality saddles boost stamina and health core drain rates and improve stamina regeneration. Saddles come in both “Stock” and “Improved” versions, with improved ones offering better stats. You can also change the saddle’s color by using the D-Pad.
• Saddlebags: Upgraded saddlebags allow for more storage of your outfit, hat, and mask on your horse.
• Stirrups: Higher-quality stirrups enhance your horse’s speed, acceleration, and reduce stamina drain rate. Like saddles, stirrups also come in a variety of designs and colors.
• Horns: Customize the look of your horse with a new saddle horn. There are many options for different styles.
• Blankets and Bedrolls: Choose a blanket for your horse, or add a bedroll for an even more rugged look.

4. Customize Your Horse’s Appearance (Grooming)

In the Grooming menu, you can change the visual aspects of your horse. Here’s how:

• Mane and Tail: Choose from a variety of styles, such as braids or dreadlocks, to give your horse a unique look. You can also change the color of your horse’s mane and tail using the D-Pad.

5. Purchase Horse Care Services (Services Menu)

The Services menu allows you to purchase additional services for your horse. Here, you can:

• Refill Horse Cores: Restore your horse’s stamina and health.
• Change Your Horse’s Name: For a fee, you can give your horse a brand new name.

Additional Customization Tips

• Horse Appearance vs. Performance: When customizing your horse, keep in mind that certain upgrades are for appearance, while others affect performance. Balance both based on your playstyle.
• Managing Multiple Horses: You can own up to three horses at a time. Take advantage of the stables to store your extra horses and switch them out as needed.

Customizing your horse in Red Dead Redemption 2 is a great way to make your trusty companion truly yours. From saddles and stirrups to the look of your horse’s mane, there’s a wealth of options to explore.

Do you have a favorite horse customization? Let us know in the comments below!