What’s the best way to prevent the bug where the horse health core drains instantly?

The bug where the horse health core drains instantly in Red Dead Redemption 2 is a frustrating issue that can disrupt gameplay, especially during critical moments like combat or exploration. This bug often occurs due to a combination of game mechanics, save file corruption, or specific in-game actions. To prevent this issue, it’s essential to understand the underlying mechanics and take proactive steps to maintain your horse’s health and stability.\n\nFirst, ensure your horse is well-fed and cared for. Horses in RDR2 have health, stamina, and bonding cores that are influenced by their diet and treatment. Regularly feed your horse hay, wild carrots, or other consumables found in the game. You can purchase hay from stables or find wild carrots in areas like Big Valley or Cumberland Forest. Neglecting your horse’s needs can lead to core depletion, which may trigger bugs like the instant health drain.\n\nSecond, avoid overworking your horse. Pushing your horse to gallop for extended periods or forcing it to traverse rough terrain without rest can strain its stamina and health cores. Use the calming mechanic by pressing the left stick (L3 on PlayStation or LS on Xbox) to soothe your horse and restore its stamina. Additionally, avoid riding through dangerous areas like swamps or rocky cliffs, as these can cause your horse to take damage unexpectedly.\n\nThird, regularly save your game manually. The instant health core drain bug is often linked to save file corruption or glitches that occur during autosaves. To prevent this, create multiple manual saves by accessing the pause menu, selecting Story, and then Save Game. Rotate between at least three save files to ensure you have backups if one becomes corrupted. This practice is especially important before entering missions or exploring new areas.\n\nFourth, avoid using mods or third-party tools if you’re playing on PC. Many bugs, including the horse health core issue, are caused by incompatible or poorly designed mods. If you’ve installed mods, consider removing them and verifying the integrity of your game files through the Rockstar Games Launcher or Steam. This can resolve conflicts and restore stability to your game.\n\nFifth, keep your horse clean and well-groomed. Dirt and mud can accumulate on your horse, reducing its overall health and performance. Use a brush to clean your horse regularly, which can be purchased from stables or general stores. A clean horse is less likely to experience core-related bugs and will perform better in all situations.\n\nFinally, if the bug persists, try switching horses temporarily. Stable a different horse at a nearby stable and use it for a while to see if the issue resolves. This can help reset the game’s internal mechanics related to your primary horse. If the problem continues, consider reloading an earlier save or restarting the game entirely.\n\nBy following these steps, you can minimize the risk of encountering the instant horse health core drain bug. Proper care, regular saves, and attention to game mechanics are key to maintaining a stable and enjoyable gameplay experience in Red Dead Redemption 2.