Eight years after its release, Red Dead Redemption 2 still has me spending more time in the stables than in the saloons. There's something timeless about the bond between a cowboy and his horse in this game—a bond that can mean the difference between a glorious sunset ride and getting trampled by a pissed-off grizzly. With over 60 variations across 19 breeds, choosing a mount is less of a simple purchase and more of a lifelong commitment, like adopting a temperamental, four-legged roommate with a taste for oatcakes. I've wrangled, bought, and bonded with most of them, so let me be your guide through this equine wonderland, from the humble plodders to the four-legged Ferraris of the frontier.

18 & 17: The Humble Beginnings 🐎

Let's start at the bottom, where the dreams are small and the speed stats are smaller.

• The Morgan: This is the horse equivalent of a reliable but slightly rusty bicycle. It gets you from Valentine's general store to the saloon without much fuss, but try to outrun a Del Lobos posse and you'll feel like you're pedaling through molasses. Average in every way, it's the perfect starter horse to learn the ropes before you trade up. You can find them grazing peacefully, blissfully unaware of their mediocrity.

• The Kentucky Saddler: Think of the Saddler as the Morgan's slightly more chilled-out cousin. They've got a laid-back nature that's perfect for a leisurely trot to go fishing. Their acceleration is about as impressive as a turtle's sprint, making them only a hair better than the Morgan. They're everywhere, though, so if your horse meets an untimely end, a Saddler is never far away for a quick, if underwhelming, replacement.

16, 15 & 14: The Heavy Haulers 💪

Now we enter the land of the giants. These aren't horses; they're living, breathing locomotives.

• The Belgian: If a horse could be built like a brick outhouse, it would be the Belgian. This draft horse is all about raw, brute strength. Need to pull a wagon out of a ditch? The Belgian is your guy. Its acceleration among heavy breeds is surprisingly brisk—for something with the mass of a small boulder. It's not winning any races, but it will carry you and enough provisions to survive a nuclear winter.

• The Shire: This beast is the mountain of the horse world. Riding a Shire makes Arthur look like a child on a Shetland pony. They are phenomenally strong, but handling one is like trying to steer a freight ship down a narrow river—possible, but requiring patience and wide turns. Their stamina is as average as their speed, so they're more of a majestic, intimidating showpiece than a practical everyday ride.

• The Suffolk Punch: The compact, stocky powerhouse of the draft family. This is the horse you want for a long day of farm labor. It's sturdier than a bank vault and has the health pool of a legendary animal. The downside? They're rarer than an honest politician in Saint Denis and handle with all the agility of a grand piano on wheels.

13 & 12: The Steady Workers & The Speed Demons ⚡

Here's where we split between reliable all-rounders and breeds that live for the thrill of the chase.

• The Appaloosa: The quintessential workhorse. If the draft horses are semi-trucks, the Appaloosa is a dependable pickup truck. Good speed, decent stamina, and solid health make it perfect for ranch work or long journeys across the heartlands. Some of its coats, like the Leopard, offer a significant stat boost, turning a good horse into a great one.

• The Nokota: Enter the first true racehorse. The Nokota is like a finely-tuned sports car compared to the pickup trucks we've seen. It's built for speed and quick getaways. Need to flee a botched robbery in record time? A Nokota has your back. The crown jewel is the Reverse Dapple Roan, a coat you must buy in Saint Denis. It's faster than gossip in a small town and handles like a dream.

11 & 10: The Elite Athletes 🏆

These breeds are where performance starts to seriously shine.

• The Thoroughbred: This is the lean marathon runner of the group. Incredible stamina and acceleration mean it can sprint short distances like it's being chased by the devil himself. Just don't push it too far past its limits, or it might get clumsier than a drunkard at a barn dance. The Brindle coat is the speed king here, a striped beauty you'll need to buy.

• The American Standardbred: Another fantastic racehorse, balancing speed with the endurance to maintain it. They are some of the fastest mounts you can get before hitting the absolute top tier. The Silver Tail Buckskin is the star of this breed, though even it can feel a bit outclassed by the true elites waiting in the wings. They're a joy to ride, turning cross-map journeys into exhilarating dashes.

So, where does that leave us? We've climbed from basic transportation to elite performance. The true "best" horses—the Arabians, Turkomans, and Missouri Fox Trotters—are a story for another campfire tale. But remember, partner, the best horse isn't always the one with the highest stats. Sometimes it's the stubborn Shire that didn't buck you when a cougar pounced, or the loyal Appaloosa that carried you from Grizzlies to Lemoyne. In 2026, this world still feels alive, and your choice of steed is the first step in writing your own legend. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a Reverse Dapple Roan to go spoil with some peppermints.