RDR2 Online: 5 Best Saddles & How To Unlock Them (2023)

Saddles can have a substantial impact on the speed, health, and stamina of a horse in Red Dead Redemption 2. The best RDR2 saddles for a particular horse will also depend on what the horse does well, as well as the deficiencies of that breed. There are two different types of saddles in RDR2. The first are stable saddles. These can be purchased from the stables and subsequently upgraded to further improve performance.

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The other set of saddles are obtained from the Trapper, and provide even better bonuses than the stable saddles. However, Trapper or complete saddles have already been upgraded. Despite this fact, complete saddles can be better than fully upgraded stable saddles. This list will cover thebest saddles in RDR2, and explain why they stand out above the rest.

Updated December 10, 2021, by Payton Lott: Red Dead Redemption 2's online counterpart continues to grow and evolve with players logging in to try their hand at taming the old west. But a player is only as good as their horse, and it's arguable that a good saddle can make all the difference. But what are the best saddles in RDR2 online? There's a small handful to choose from, but each one offers a pretty sizeable boost to things like Stamina Recharge and Drain, making them vital in unlocking the true potential of the best horses in the game. Here's an updated look at the best saddles in RDR2 online, with a few more affordable options forthose new to the game.

5 Foxmore Saddle

RDR2 Online: 5 Best Saddles & How To Unlock Them (1)

The 2020 update introduced players to the Naturalist Role and brought the Foxmore Saddle along with it.

  • Core Health Drain Rate : -22%
  • Stamina Regen Rate : +30%
  • Stamina Core Drain Rate : -32%
  • Stamina Drain Rate : 0%

The Foxmore Saddle is a great option for players in terms of its core stats but it's rather expensive at $570. Unfortunately, there are much cheaper options that provide similar stats but those with filled pockets may want to opt for the Foxmore Saddle to flaunt their wealth. It's aesthetically pleasing, for sure, featuring ornate designs stitched into the leather and a frilled edge. Its core health drain rate is a bit rough, but players that are looking for a good saddle to use for shorter distances can opt for this expensive option. Unlocking it is as simple as having the capital necessary to buy it.

4 McKinney Saddle

RDR2 Online: 5 Best Saddles & How To Unlock Them (2)

In terms of looks, the McKinney Saddle is not too impressive. The bonuses of the saddle do provide some notable benefits:

  • Core Health Drain Rate : -34%
  • Stamina Regen Rate : +20%
  • Stamina Core Drain Rate : -34%
  • Stamina Drain Rate : 0%

The McKinney Saddle provides better benefits than the Nacogdoches in Health Drain, Regen Rate, and Core Drain Rate. The issue with the saddle is that it does not provide a buff to Drain Rate, which is crucial when trying to extend the horse's range. It looks decent and actually beats the below saddles in a couple of categories, making it a viable option.

With Hooded Stirrups, each of these saddles (except the Upland) will receive a +2 speed boost and a 50% stamina drain boost. Getting the Hooded Stirrups is crucial to bridge the gap between the purchased and pre-purchased saddles. With that massive drain boost, the McKinney becomes much more in line with the Upland and Nacogdoches.

3 Delgado Saddle

RDR2 Online: 5 Best Saddles & How To Unlock Them (3)

The Delgado Saddle looks incredible, especially on horses with darker coats. It has some of the best stat upgrades as well:

  • Core Health Drain Rate : -22%
  • Stamina Regen Rate : +32%
  • Stamina Core Drain Rate : -22%
  • Stamina Drain Rate : 0%

Just like the above saddle, Delgado does not buff the base Drain Rate of horses. The lack of a buff in that category limits the potential of the saddle compared to the two final options. With very good regen bonuses, the Delgado is still quite impressive compared to the other options. Because many RD2 players care about cosmetics, the best-looking saddle in the game had to be included.

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Stamina drain may be capped at -50% with the Hooded Stirrups, but the +32% regen will make up for it on longer journeys. The reality is that the McKinney and Delgado will just not go as far because of a base drain rate of 0%. Players can't go wrong with the following two choices.

2 Nacogdoches Saddle

RDR2 Online: 5 Best Saddles & How To Unlock Them (4)

Until the Upland Saddle was introduced, the Nacogdoches Saddle was the undisputed top saddle in the game. The stats listed below make it clear why so many players love the saddle:

  • Core Health Drain Rate : -20%
  • Stamina Regen Rate : +18%
  • Stamina Core Drain Rate : -18%
  • Stamina Drain Rate : -35%

For gamers that do not have the Bounty Hunter expansion, the Nacogdoches saddle is by far the best. Yes, it will be a little more expensive than the Upland in the end, but it is still quite affordable considering all of the amazing bonuses it provides. When coupled with a Missouri Fox Trotter, the saddle will allow players to zoom around the map without having to make a pit stop. With Hooded Stirrups equipped, the saddle actually has the highest stamina drain rate buff at -85%. Gamers need to decide between a slightly better drain rate or the $125 it will cost for the stirrups.

1 Upland Saddle

RDR2 Online: 5 Best Saddles & How To Unlock Them (5)

Based on the base stats alone, the Upland Saddle is hands down the best saddle in RDR2. All of the stats for the saddle are listed below:

  • Core Health Drain Rate : -24%
  • Stamina Regen Rate : +30%
  • Stamina Core Drain Rate : -30%
  • Stamina Drain Rate : -65%

There is a reason why many in the community still use the Nacogdoches Saddle, however. It has the second-best stats and has a few customization options that the Upland Saddle does not. As mentioned above, it has a better Stamina Regen with stirrups too. The Upland Saddle is also the most expensive saddle in the game, but you pay for what you get. Gamers that buy this saddle will not have to mess with getting Hooded Stirrups for it.

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All of the pre-purchased saddles already have the +2 speed incorporated. Similarly, the Nacogdoches saddle ends up being more expensive if the cost of a saddlebag and Hooded Stirrups are included. That being said, the two saddles are quite comparable. The main difference in performance will be Stamina Drain Rate. Horses with the Upland Saddle can run almost as far as with the Nacogdoches for a fraction of the cost.

RDR2 Online: 5 Best Saddles & How To Unlock Them (6)

Though the above are the best saddles in the game is not essential to have one of the saddles above, and there are plenty of comparable options. See below for the best value saddles in RDO/RDR2:

  • Foxmore
  • Ivers
  • Fletcher
  • Marinville

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Each of these saddles provides a nice boost to all the important stats mentioned above. They may not have quite as much of an impact, but for most missions, they will do the trick. Getting a top-tier saddle should not be a priority until gamers have logged a substantial amount of hours on the game. Plus, there are a lot of other essential items users will need to save their money for. The above saddles will do in the meantime until players can afford one of the flashy ones higher on the list.

Cheap Horses To Pair The Saddles With

To get even more bang for your buck, pick one of the cheaper versatile horses in the game to gear up with a cheap saddle. The Red Chestnut Arabian is one of the top value options for horses, as Arabians can do essentially everything they need to in RDO. They are fast enough and have solid stamina for the price. Plus, the Red Chestnut is much cheaper than the other Arabian options.

Likewise, Andalusians are well-rounded horses that will only set back players a few hundred dollars. The final value horse worth trying out is the Mustang. For getting from point A to B, no horse is more fun to use. However, stamina can be an issue on longer journeys.

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FAQs

What is the best all around horse in Red Dead Redemption online? ›

The Black Arabian is, by far, the best all-around horse available in Red Dead Online. It's also the rarest. And that's not because it's difficult to find; this horse just takes forever to unlock and it's wildly expensive. Players must reach Level 70 and pay 42 Gold Bars to obtain the Black Arabian.

What's the best saddle in RDO 2023? ›

5 Best Saddles in Red Dead Online
  • Top 5 Saddles in Red Dead Online, Ranked.
  • Beaver Roping Saddle.
  • Delgado Saddle.
  • Foxmore Saddle.
  • McKinny Saddle.
  • Nacogdoches Saddle.
  • Join the High Ground.
Jan 3, 2023

What is the strongest horse in rdr2 online? ›

The best horse in Red Dead Online is the Missouri Fox Trotter.

What is the most loyal horse in RDR2? ›

Arabian horses are known for their rarity and fiery temperament that makes them hard to train, but once they're broken in, they're one of the most loyal companions in the game. Players who are motivated enough to save up for it rarely regret the investment.

Do upgraded saddlebags do anything? ›

Better saddlebags will increase the amount of outfits, masks, and hat storage you can have on your horse.

What is the most well rounded horse in RDR2? ›

Best All-Round Horse

When it comes to an all-round great horse, it's hard to look past the Arabian. Although it will set you back a rather hefty 42 Gold Bars, it's all 60 stats (Health, Stamina, Speed, and Acceleration) are what make the Arabian the best horse that you can purchase in Red Dead Online.

How do you get the Royal Gilded saddle? ›

The Dusty Rawhide Saddle, Royal Gilded Saddle, and Black Studded Saddle are mount-summoning items that summon the rideable Painted Horse Mount, Majestic Horse Mount, and Dark Horse Mount, respectively. They are sold by the Zoologist for 25 each, after completing at least 30% (162 entries) of the Bestiary.

How do you get the Ancient Saddle? ›

The Ancient Saddle is found in a buried chest at the Malanya Spring. It is on the other side of the Horse God Bridge of Lake of the Horse God. The best way to reach the Malanya Spring is to start from the Lakeside Stable. The Lakeside Stable is southeast from the Lake Tower, which is southeast from the Great Plateau.

How do you get a monster saddle? ›

The Monster Saddle is a piece of Horse Armor which appears in Breath of the Wild. It can be purchased from Kilton's shop, the Fang and Bone, for 299 Mon. Just like all horse gear items in the game, this gear part does not provide protection for the horse, and it serves mainly cosmetic purposes.

What horse has the most stamina in rdr2 online? ›

The Andalusian is another great warhorse with exceptional stats. As with other similar horses, the Andalusians are known for their high health and stamina. They also have a very specific temperament that is far more aggressive than other breeds. This makes them ideal hunting horses as they are very difficult to spook.

Is the red chestnut Arabian worth it? ›

Whether you're looking to ride around in style, or just looking to find a more reliable steed, the Red Chestnut Arabian horse is a great catch, and honestly one of the best horses that you'll find available early on in Red Dead Online.

Where is the best free horse in Red Dead Redemption 2? ›

The best free horse in Red Dead Redemption 2 is the Arabian horse with a white coloured coat. It's ever so slightly lower in health and stamina than the two Arabians mentioned above, but it's still a superb option, and is available at just one location in the game: in the wild, up in the north-western part of the map.

How do you max out your horse speed in rdr2 online? ›

Pressing X/A repeatedly will make your horse reach its fastest speed, but over-use it and your horse will become tired. Try to sprint as little as possible – instead, find a pace that manages your stamina better.

Is the Black Arabian better than the white? ›

The Black Arabian is the best horse in the game, with it being a slight upgrade on the White Arabian. It will definitely be a major boost to your efforts in-game, and you should definitely add it to your stable if you have the chance.

What is the rarest horse to find in RDR2? ›

The rarest horse in Red Dead Redemption 2 is the Legendary White Coat Arabian. Once you break the horse and it stops bucking, you'll need to work on taming it. This can be done by riding back to Valentine.

What is the rarest horse in RDR? ›

Few-Spotted Appaloosa. The Few-Spotted Appaloosa is one of the rarest horses in the game and it will be time consuming to attempt to come across one. You can find the horse at any one of the Appaloosa spawn locations and it will randomly spawn among the Appaloosa herds.

What is the hardest horse to tame in RDR2? ›

However, the Arabian breed is the best horse in RDR2. These horses' fiery personalities make them hard to tame, but, once tamed, they're a companion Arthur will want to keep until the game's end.

Does dancing reduce saddlebags? ›

Along with a healthy diet, keeping yourself physically active can help reduce those saddlebags. If a trip to the gym is not your idea of exercise, there are plenty of other options out there. Swimming, dancing, jogging, yoga, or walking can help burn those calories and strengthen the muscles in your thighs and legs.

Can you lose saddlebags? ›

Though it takes time, you can eliminate saddlebag fat. Incorporating simple lifestyle changes and daily activity can reduce the appearance of saddlebags as well as improve your overall health.

What is the bravest horse in RDR2? ›

Andalusians are probably the bravest horses in the game. I've got the perlino andalusian (has to be tamed in the wild in story mode), and he'll go trotting through the swamps with gators every few feet and not even consider tossing me. He'll stand there surrounded by wolves and let me blow them away without tossing me.

Should I sell or stable the black horse? ›

You can choose to sell or stable him. We suggest to keep it - it's a pretty good horse.

What is the darkest horse in RDR2? ›

The Dark Horse is a unique horse breed that becomes available upon reaching the "Road Agent" Honor rank. Should the player whistle while not having any other horse called, the Dark Horse will arrive as Marston's mount. If it dies, the Dark Horse will respawn after an in-game day.

What does Knights saddle do? ›

The Knight's Saddle is a cosmetic piece of equipment that you can use to customize your faithful steed with the look of a Hyrulean knight's armored horse in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. You can get the Knight's Saddle as a reward by redeeming Pony Points at any Stable's Pony Points Ledger.

Where do I get the Knight's saddle? ›

The Knight's Saddle is horse gear found in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. It is awarded for completing the challenge at Mounted Archery Camp located west of Highland Stable in the Faron Grasslands, southwest of Lake Tower.

How do you get the Knight's saddle? ›

It can be obtained by hitting 23-25 targets during the Horseback Archery Mini-Game. These Saddles were used by the most elite of the Knights of Hyrule for their Horses. Link can have his Horses equipped with a Knight's Saddle at Highland Stable, South Akkala Stable, Outskirt Stable, and Woodland Stable.

Can the giant horse wear the Ancient Saddle? ›

Breath of the Wild

The Saddle, along with the Ancient Bridle, are acquired as part of the EX Ancient Horse Rumors side quest. When equipped, it lets Link summon his steed wherever it is. However, some horses, such as the Giant Horse or Epona, are unable to wear the Ancient Bridle.

What does Ancient Bridle do? ›

The book speaks of an Ancient Bridle that can increase the speed of your horse and teleport it from anywhere on the map. You are given a clue: "The bridle is south of Hyrule Ridge, beneath a cherry blossom tree at a mountain where creatures gather."

Where is the horse God? ›

The Horse God lives in northern Akkala, at the north end of Bloodleaf Lake, which is just down the slope from Robbie's old tech lab where you get the Travel Medallion. You can take the road behind East Akkala Stable to get there. Chat with the man at the southern fence before you go.

Where is the Guardian saddle? ›

"The saddle is at a mysterious spring where a horse spirit resides." The locations in question refers to the Malanya Spring - the Fountain of the Horse God.

What horse is the Monster Bridle for? ›

The Monster Bridle is a piece of Monster Horse Gear, which is a set of Horse Gear. It can be equipped onto Horses at either the Highland Stable, Outskirt Stable, South Akkala Stable, or Woodland Stable. Like other Bridles, Monster Bridle are unable to be worn by Epona or the Giant Horse.

What does the dark set do? ›

The Dark Set's abilities are identical to those of the Stealth Set in terms of Link's increased speed at night, but with no stealth. The set also provides the effect of making non-enemies react with fright at its unnatural appearance.

What is the best bravest horse in Red Dead Online? ›

The Strawberry Roan Ardennes is one of the bravest horses in Red Dead Online and you can use it to for serious missions. When you need to flee or destroy your enemies, you can count on this horse as it will not succumb to fear. Well-built and sturdy, this is one tough warhorse who will not let you down.

What is the rarest Arabian coat? ›

Black is one of the least common coat colors in Arabian horses, as it's often suppressed by the dominant Agouti gene. The Agouti gene (A) is responsible for bay coat coloring and is visible only on black.

How do you claim a free horse in rdr2 online? ›

To get your free horses, you'll want to visit the stable at the beginning of Red Dead Online. There, you can sell off the horse earned in the Honor Among Horse Thieves mission. After that, you'll be able to pick a new horse for free out of two breeds, Thoroughbred or Arabian.

What is the best looking Arabian horse in rdr2? ›

Rose Grey Bay Arabian (The Best Overall)

Head to the Blackwater Stable during the epilogue to corral this beauty. She features better Health and Stamina than the other two Arabians. Although she's also very expensive—going for $1250 in-game dollars.

Who is the best trotter of all time? ›

Varenne is considered to be the best trotter of all time.

What is the best foxtrotter in rdr2? ›

Bonded Fox Trotters are probably the best horses for players to use when fighting enemies. Despite their slow acceleration, these horses have good top speed and standard maneuverability. Because of how versatile the horses are, a lot of players are willing to pay a steep price for one.

Do saddlebags matter in rdr2 online? ›

Better saddlebags will increase the amount of outfits, masks, and hat storage you can have on your horse.

What is the most fearless horse in rdr2 online? ›

The Strawberry Roan Ardennes is one of the bravest horses in Red Dead Online and you can use it to for serious missions. When you need to flee or destroy your enemies, you can count on this horse as it will not succumb to fear.

What is the best all around horse in rdr2? ›

The best horse in the game is the rose gray bay Arabian horse, which is rated 7 in health and stamina, and 6 in speed and acceleration.

What is the best horse category in rdr2? ›

Red Dead Redemption 2: 16 Best Horses, Ranked
  • 8 Mustang.
  • 7 Andalusian.
  • 6 Ardennes.
  • 5 Thoroughbred.
  • 4 Turkoman.
  • 3 Nokota.
  • 2 Missouri Fox Trotter.
  • 1 Arabian.
Mar 27, 2023

What are the most profitable roles in RDR2 online? ›

All the Specialist Roles in Red Dead Online will earn you money, but by far the most efficient one for pure income is the Trader, a job based around hunting animals and bringing them to Cripps at your camp, all so he can turn them to raw materials which you then sell in delivery missions.

What does cheating do in RDR2? ›

There are 37 Red Dead Redemption 2 cheats and they activate things like infinite ammo, refill your health and stamina, and spawn horses. Our guide explains how to enter Red Dead Redemption 2 cheat codes, as well as lists all the cheats and their requirements for using them.

What is the biggest and strongest horse in rdr2? ›

20 Shire. No, these aren't meant for hobbits, these are in fact the largest horses in the game and among the strongest players can find. They'll pull anything players hook them to but don't expect them to turn on a dime as they're tough to handle.

What is the toughest horse in rdr2? ›

The Shire is another breed of draft horse, meaning that it's well suited to heavy pulling or hauling. They are one of the strongest horse breeds in the game, but their large size and heavy weight make them more difficult to handle.

What is the most loyal horse breed in RDR2? ›

Broken in, they also have the potential to max out all statistics (speed, stamina, handling, acceleration, and health). Arabian horses are known for their rarity and fiery temperament that makes them hard to train, but once they're broken in, they're one of the most loyal companions in the game.

What is the most unique horse in RDR2? ›

Of all the Arabian Horses, The White Arabian Horse is the only elite horse that can be found in the wild instead of having to be purchased, saving you a thousand dollars! You can find this special horse on the northwestern side of Lake Isabella in Grizzlies West. To start, Fast Travel to Strawberry and ride north.

Which horse should I buy with Hosea? ›

This is early on in the game, a reward for completing the Chapter 2 mission “Exit, Pursued By A Bruised Ego,” where you hunt a Legendary Bear with Hosea. Once you've done that, you'll find out that the best horse breed in Red Dead Redemption 2 you can purchase is an Arabian.

How do you increase your horse speed in Red Dead Online? ›

Pressing X/A repeatedly will make your horse reach its fastest speed, but over-use it and your horse will become tired. Try to sprint as little as possible – instead, find a pace that manages your stamina better.

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