How do I prevent the horse bonding bug that resets progress?

The horse bonding bug in Red Dead Redemption 2 is a frustrating issue where your horse''s bonding level resets, causing you to lose progress. This bug can occur due to various reasons, such as switching horses too frequently, encountering game crashes, or not properly saving your progress. To prevent this issue, it''s essential to understand the game mechanics and follow specific steps to safeguard your horse bonding progress.\n\nFirst, always ensure you manually save your game after making significant progress with your horse. Bonding levels increase as you spend time with your horse, groom it, feed it, and calm it during stressful situations. Each bonding level (1-4) unlocks new abilities, such as increased stamina, better handling, and the ability to perform advanced maneuvers. To save manually, open the pause menu, go to Story, and select Save Game. This ensures your progress is stored even if the game crashes or encounters an error.\n\nSecond, avoid switching horses too often. While it''s tempting to try out different horses, constantly swapping can confuse the game''s bonding system. If you must switch, make sure to stable your current horse at a stable location, such as Valentine or Saint Denis. Stabling a horse ensures it remains in your inventory and retains its bonding level. To stable a horse, ride it to a stable, interact with the stable hand, and select the Stable option. This prevents the game from forgetting your horse''s progress.\n\nThird, be cautious when using temporary horses. Temporary horses, such as those acquired during missions or found in the wild, can sometimes overwrite your primary horse''s bonding data. If you need to use a temporary horse, avoid bonding with it by not feeding, grooming, or calming it excessively. Once the mission is complete, return to your primary horse as soon as possible to avoid any conflicts.\n\nFourth, regularly check your horse''s bonding level in the Player menu under the Horse section. If you notice the bonding level has reset, reload a previous save file where the bonding level was intact. This is why manual saves are crucial—they act as a safety net against bugs and glitches. Additionally, avoid using mods or third-party tools that alter game files, as these can introduce instability and cause bonding issues.\n\nFinally, if you encounter the bonding bug despite following these steps, try restarting the game or reloading a save file. Sometimes, the issue is temporary and can be resolved by restarting the game. If the problem persists, consider reporting it to Rockstar Games through their support website, as they may release patches to fix such issues.\n\nBy following these steps, you can minimize the risk of encountering the horse bonding bug and ensure your horse remains a loyal companion throughout your journey in Red Dead Redemption 2. Always prioritize manual saves, stable your horses, and monitor bonding levels to maintain a smooth gameplay experience.