How do I fix the "horse not responding to commands" issue?

The ''horse not responding to commands'' issue in Red Dead Redemption 2 can be frustrating, but it is often caused by specific in-game mechanics or glitches. Understanding how the game handles horse behavior is key to resolving this problem. Horses in RDR2 have a bond level system, which ranges from 1 to 4. A low bond level can result in your horse being less responsive to commands, as it doesn''t fully trust you yet. Additionally, environmental factors, such as being near predators or in a chaotic situation, can cause your horse to panic and ignore commands.\n\nTo fix this issue, start by checking your horse''s bond level. You can view this in the Player menu under the Horse section. If your bond level is low, spend time grooming, feeding, and calming your horse to increase it. Grooming can be done with a brush, which is available at stables or general stores. Feeding your horse with hay, apples, or other food items also helps. Calming your horse by pressing the L3 button (on PlayStation) or LS button (on Xbox) while riding or standing nearby will soothe it and improve responsiveness.\n\nIf your horse is panicking due to nearby threats, such as wolves or gunfire, move away from the danger and calm it down. Horses in RDR2 are sensitive to their surroundings, and they may refuse commands if they feel threatened. For example, if you''re in the Grizzlies region and a bear is nearby, your horse might not respond until you''ve dealt with the threat or moved to a safer area. Use your Dead Eye ability to quickly eliminate predators or enemies causing the issue.\n\nAnother common cause of unresponsive horses is a glitch. If your horse is stuck or not responding despite high bond levels and a calm environment, try saving your game and reloading the save file. This often resets the horse''s behavior. Alternatively, you can visit a stable and switch to a different horse temporarily, then switch back to your main horse. This can also reset any glitches affecting its behavior.\n\nFor players experiencing persistent issues, ensure your horse is not injured. An injured horse may refuse commands until it is healed. Use Horse Reviver or visit a stable to restore its health. Additionally, check your horse''s stamina and cores. If the stamina core is depleted, your horse may not respond to commands like galloping or sprinting. Feed it stamina-boosting items like oatcakes or use stimulants to replenish its energy.\n\nFinally, if none of these solutions work, consider restarting your console or PC. Sometimes, technical issues can cause in-game glitches, and a simple restart can resolve them. By following these steps, you should be able to fix the ''horse not responding to commands'' issue and enjoy a smoother gameplay experience in Red Dead Redemption 2.\n\nPractical tips: Always keep your horse''s cores full, avoid dangerous areas unless necessary, and regularly bond with your horse to ensure it remains responsive. If you''re in a mission and your horse isn''t responding, try dismounting and remounting to reset its behavior. These small actions can make a big difference in maintaining a reliable horse companion.