How do you calm a spooked horse during combat?

Calming a spooked horse during combat in Red Dead Redemption 2 is a crucial skill for maintaining control and ensuring your survival in intense situations. Horses can become frightened by gunfire, predators, or other threats, causing them to buck you off or flee. To prevent this, you need to understand the game mechanics and use specific techniques to soothe your horse.\n\nFirst, it’s important to know how the horse’s fear system works. Horses have a fear meter that fills up when they encounter danger, such as gunfire, explosions, or predators like wolves or cougars. If the meter fills completely, the horse will panic, potentially throwing you off or running away. To calm your horse, you need to reduce this fear meter by using the ''Calm'' command.\n\nTo calm your horse, press and hold the ''Calm'' button (L3 on PlayStation or LS on Xbox) while mounted. This action will soothe your horse and lower its fear level. You’ll hear Arthur or your character speak reassuringly to the horse, and the horse’s fear meter will decrease. It’s essential to use this command frequently during combat, especially when surrounded by enemies or predators.\n\nIn addition to using the ''Calm'' command, you can also improve your horse’s bravery by bonding with it. Bonding levels range from 1 to 4, and higher levels make your horse less likely to spook. To increase bonding, spend time with your horse by feeding it, brushing it, and patting it. You can also bond by riding your horse over long distances or completing tasks like hitching it at camp.\n\nAnother practical tip is to choose a horse breed with higher bravery stats. War horses and some work horses, such as the Ardennes or Hungarian Halfbred, are naturally more resistant to fear. These breeds are ideal for combat-heavy situations, as they are less likely to panic under pressure. You can purchase these horses from stables in towns like Valentine or Saint Denis.\n\nDuring combat, positioning is key. Try to keep your horse moving in a controlled manner rather than standing still. A moving target is harder for enemies to hit, and your horse will feel less vulnerable. Avoid riding directly into large groups of enemies or predators, as this can overwhelm your horse and cause it to panic.\n\nIf your horse does get spooked and bucks you off, don’t panic. Quickly press the ''Calm'' button while on foot to prevent your horse from running away. If your horse does flee, whistle for it to return using the ''Call Horse'' command (up on the D-pad). Keep in mind that whistling may not work if your horse is too far away or surrounded by threats.\n\nFinally, always be prepared with Horse Reviver in your inventory. If your horse is critically injured during combat, you can use this item to revive it. Horse Reviver can be purchased from general stores or crafted using specific herbs and ingredients.\n\nIn summary, calming a spooked horse during combat requires a combination of using the ''Calm'' command, maintaining a high bonding level, choosing a brave horse breed, and positioning yourself strategically. By mastering these techniques, you can keep your horse under control and improve your chances of survival in Red Dead Redemption 2’s most intense moments.