How Do I Get My Horse in Red Dead Online? Your Ultimate Guide
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Getting your first horse in Red Dead Online (RDO) is a crucial step, marking your true entry into the wild west. This trusty steed is not just a means of transport, it’s your companion on countless adventures, a partner in crime, and a symbol of your life in the game. So, how exactly do you get your own horse in RDO?
Essentially, you purchase horses using either in-game cash (RDO$) or Gold Bars. Unlike the story mode of Red Dead Redemption 2, you don’t acquire your first horse through a specific mission, but you do need to work towards buying one at a stable. Before you can even dream of saddling up, you must first complete the game’s tutorial.
Earning Your First Steed
Once you’ve navigated the initial introductory missions, you’ll be free to explore the vast open world of Red Dead Online. Now, it’s time to focus on accumulating the necessary funds to purchase a horse. This can be achieved in a multitude of ways:
- Story Missions: Engaging in the various story missions provides a consistent stream of cash and gold.
- Free Roam Activities: Participate in Free Roam Events and challenges, which reward you with cash, gold, and other items.
- Hunting and Fishing: Sell your hunted pelts and caught fish at butchers and general stores for a decent sum of money.
- Daily Challenges: Completing daily challenges can provide small but consistent amounts of Gold.
- Treasure Maps: Discover and complete treasure map missions to find hidden rewards, sometimes containing Gold or a sizable amount of cash.
- Roles: Invest in one of the roles available and complete role-related missions and activities. These often provide higher payouts.
Once you have gathered a fair amount of RDO$ or Gold, it’s time to head to the nearest stable. Stables are usually located in towns and cities across the map, and are marked by a horseshoe icon.
Purchasing Your Horse
Once inside the stable, approach the stable master and select “Buy Horse”. Here, you’ll be presented with a variety of breeds, each with its own strengths, weaknesses, and associated costs. You need to purchase both a horse and a saddle. Without a saddle, you won’t be able to set the horse as your main mount.
Make sure to examine each horse’s stats before making a decision. The stats to consider are:
- Health: How much damage the horse can sustain.
- Stamina: How long the horse can gallop before getting tired.
- Speed: The maximum speed the horse can achieve.
- Acceleration: How quickly the horse can reach its maximum speed.
When you have selected your ideal horse, confirm your purchase. Your new horse will be available for you to use instantly. It’s worth noting that the horse you purchase cannot die permanently. If it is incapacitated, you can either revive it with a Horse Reviver or, if you don’t have one, a Scrawny Nag will be temporarily available until your horse recovers.
Equipping Your Horse
After you purchase your horse, make sure that the saddle is equipped onto it. To do so, while still in the stable, remove the saddle from your current horse, if you have one, and place it on the new one. Alternatively, you can purchase another saddle. Once this is complete, your new horse will be available to you in the open world.
When you are outside of the stable, whistle by pressing left on the D-Pad (or the equivalent button on PC) and your horse will come to you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Horses in Red Dead Online
Here are 15 common questions about acquiring and maintaining your horse in Red Dead Online, answered to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of this important mechanic:
How do I get my first horse?
You get your first horse in RDO by purchasing it at a stable. You must first complete the game’s tutorial and earn enough cash or gold to buy both a horse and a saddle.
What happens if my horse dies?
In RDO, your horse cannot die permanently. If it is killed, you can use a Horse Reviver to bring it back immediately, or a Scrawny Nag will be provided until your horse recovers.
Why isn’t my horse coming when I whistle?
If your horse isn’t responding to your whistle, it’s often due to a connection issue or server lag. Try whistling again or moving to a slightly different area. The game also requires you to press left on the D-Pad or equivalent button on the keyboard to call your horse.
How do I set my main horse?
Your main horse is the one with your saddle on it. You can swap your main horse at a stable. If you want a new horse to be your main horse, put your saddle on it.
Do I need a saddle to ride a horse?
Yes, a saddle is necessary to ride a horse in Red Dead Online. When you purchase a horse, you also need to acquire a saddle, either by moving the saddle from your current main horse or by buying a new one.
How many horses can I own?
You can own up to four horses in Red Dead Online.
What is the best free horse in RDO?
The Red Chestnut Arabian is one of the best free horses available, provided you have enough stable slots, as the Arabian is available for free. Also, the white Arabian can be found in the wild and tamed.
Is the white Arabian horse free in RDO?
The White Arabian Horse can be found and tamed in the wild, making it effectively free. It is one of the best horses in the game.
What’s the fastest horse in RDO?
The Missouri Fox Trotter is considered one of the fastest horses in Red Dead Online. It is faster than most of the other breeds.
What are some cool horse names?
Popular horse names include Spirit, Star, Sugar, and Sunny, but you can choose any name you like for your horse.
What should I do first in RDO?
Prioritize completing story missions, securing a horse and insurance, visiting your camp, and engaging in Free Roam Events when you start Red Dead Online.
What is the fastest horse in RDR2?
The Rose Gray Bay Arabian is considered the fastest horse in Red Dead Redemption 2’s story mode. The White Arabian is considered the fastest if you can find and tame it in the wild.
Where can I find the white Arabian horse?
The White Arabian horse can be found in the wild, specifically on the northwestern side of Lake Isabella in the Grizzlies West region. It can be found early in the story mode after you discover the town of Valentine.
Can I sell my horse in RDO?
Yes, you can sell horses at the stables. Select “Manage Owned Horses” and then choose the horse you wish to sell.
How do I redeem a horse deed in RDO?
Once you purchase a horse from the stable or receive a horse deed as a reward, it will automatically be added to your stable. You do not have to “redeem” it like in the story mode.
By now, you should be well-equipped to secure your first horse, care for it, and embark on countless adventures across the vast and unforgiving landscape of Red Dead Online. Happy trails, partner!