The 10 Best Horses in Red Dead Redemption 2, Ranked by Performance

Red Dead Redemption 2 gives you more than 60 horse variations, but not all of them are worth taming, buying, or even chasing. If you’re looking for a mount that will carry Arthur Morgan through shootouts, long hauls, and scenic rides, we narrowed the list down to the top 10. These horses stand out for their stat combos, durability, and in-game utility. Some are racehorses, others are war tanks, but they all outperform the rest.

This ranking is based on a roundup by ScreenRant, which went deep on all 19 core breeds in the game. Whether you prefer catching wild stallions or blowing your stash at Blackwater’s stable, these are the only ten that are worth the saddle time. Every horse below includes a quick stat card and a breakdown of what makes it tick. Let’s ride.

10. American Standardbred

• Speed - 4-5/10
• Acceleration - 3-4/10
• Health - 3-4/10
• Stamina - 3-4/10
• Handling - Race

A solid middle-tier racehorse. Standardbreds don’t dominate any category, but they’re affordable, easy to tame, and keep a steady pace for longer than most low-tier mounts. Great for early-game escapes and missions that need you mobile but not in constant combat. The best variation—Silver Tail Buckskin—is sold at stables, while others are wild catches.

9. American Paint

• Speed - 3/10
• Acceleration - 3/10
• Health - 3/10
• Stamina - 4-5/10
• Handling - Standard

This is a workhorse with personality. The Paint doesn’t impress with stats, but it’s one of the best horses to start bonding with. High stamina for its class and easy to find either in the wild or at Tumbleweed. If you're not rushing the main story, this is a dependable choice for exploration or side missions.

8. Hungarian Halfbred

• Speed - 3/10
• Acceleration - 3/10
• Health - 4-5/10
• Stamina - 3-4/10
• Handling - Standard

The classic warhorse that won’t spook under pressure. Low acceleration, but it holds its own in shootouts. Best used for missions where enemies chase or surround you on horseback. It’s also easy to handle and tanky enough to take hits. Available in Valentine or out in the wild, depending on your budget.

7. Mustang

• Speed - 3-4/10
• Acceleration - 3/10
• Health - 4-5/10
• Stamina - 4-5/10
• Handling - Standard

Versatile and stubborn—in a good way. Mustangs don’t scare easily and won’t ditch you mid-fight. You’ll find them mostly south of Armadillo, and they’re tougher to tame than most wild horses, but the effort pays off. Great for general use, and the Tiger Striped Bay is especially cool-looking if you can snag it.

6. Dutch Warmblood

• Speed - 3-4/10
• Acceleration - 3/10
• Health - 4-5/10
• Stamina - 5-6/10
• Handling - Standard

Probably the most dependable workhorse in the entire game. High stamina, solid health, and excellent handling make the Warmblood a go-to for long treks or mission-heavy gameplay. It's not flashy, but it never lets you down. The special Cremello variation is a reward for finishing “The Veteran” side quest.

5. Andalusian

• Speed - 3/10
• Acceleration - 3/10
• Health - 5-7/10
• Stamina - 4-5/10
• Handling - Standard

An absolute unit. The Andalusian is built for battle and doesn’t flinch at predators. It’s slower than others on this list but makes up for it with survivability and control. This is the kind of horse you want riding through ambushes or dragging enemy carts off the road. Solid choice for later chapters, especially once the Rose Grey is unlocked.

4. Ardennes

• Speed - 3/10
• Acceleration - 3/10
• Health - 5-7/10
• Stamina - 4-5/10
• Handling - Standard

Another heavy-duty warhorse, but with better aggression resistance than most. These horses can push through chaos without bucking Arthur. If you’re regularly riding into gunfire or getting swarmed by bounty hunters, the Ardennes is your ride-or-die. It comes in a few variations, with the Strawberry Roan being the top-tier option.

3. Missouri Fox Trotter

• Speed - 7/10
• Acceleration - 5/10
• Health - 5/10
• Stamina - 6/10
• Handling - Standard

This is where stats start getting serious. The Missouri Fox Trotter is fast, light, and balanced between workhorse and racer. Perfect for covering huge stretches of land while staying agile. It’s pricey at $950, but you get your money’s worth. If you like to sprint from Valentine to Saint Denis in one run, this is your horse.

2. Turkoman

• Speed - 6/10
• Acceleration - 5/10
• Health - 7/10
• Stamina - 5/10
• Handling - Standard

Another hybrid beast—good for races, strong enough for fights. The Turkoman is built slim but packs serious stats. Health and speed are both top-notch, and it handles rough terrain without falling apart. The only flaw is its fidgety nature, so try not to leave it idle for too long or it’ll start losing patience.

1. Arabian

• Speed - 6/10
• Acceleration - 6/10
• Health - 5-7/10
• Stamina - 5-7/10
• Handling - Elite

This is it. The top dog. The horse that all others wish they could be. The Arabian is fast, resilient, and has the best handling in the game. It’s also hard to tame and very expensive—up to $1,250—but once bonded, it becomes the most reliable mount in Red Dead Redemption 2. The White Arabian can be found for free in the wild near Lake Isabella, but it’s also the hardest to tame. No other horse combines stats and control this cleanly.

Red Dead Redemption 2 doesn’t force you into one horse, but if you’re chasing stats, survivability, and overall value, these 10 are above the rest. Whether you’re running missions, roleplaying as a bounty hunter, or just crossing the map to see the snow, these horses will carry you the whole way. Keep them fed, brush them often, and don’t forget—your horse is your second protagonist in this game.