What’s the best way to bond with a stolen horse in RDR2?

Bonding with a stolen horse in Red Dead Redemption 2 is a crucial gameplay mechanic that allows you to unlock the horse''s full potential, including better stamina, health, and responsiveness. While bonding with a purchased or tamed horse is straightforward, stolen horses require extra effort due to their initial distrust. Here''s a detailed guide on how to bond with a stolen horse effectively.\n\nFirst, you need to calm the horse immediately after stealing it. Approach the horse slowly and press the ''Calm'' button (L3 on PlayStation, LS on Xbox) to soothe it. This reduces the horse''s fear and prevents it from bucking you off. If the horse is agitated, keep calming it until its icon on the mini-map turns from red to white. This indicates the horse is no longer hostile and can be ridden.\n\nOnce you''ve mounted the horse, ride it to a safe location away from witnesses or lawmen. Stolen horses are marked as ''stolen'' in the game, and if you''re spotted, you risk a bounty. Avoid towns and busy roads until you''ve bonded with the horse. A good location for this is the wilderness near Valentine or the Heartlands, as these areas are relatively quiet and offer plenty of open space.\n\nTo increase your bond level, perform actions that the horse enjoys. These include patting the horse (press the ''Pat'' button while riding or standing next to it), feeding it (use items like hay, apples, or wild carrots), and leading it on foot (hold the ''Lead'' button while walking). Each of these actions increases your bond level, which is displayed in the Horse menu under the Player menu. Bonding has four levels, and each level unlocks new abilities, such as increased stamina and the ability to perform advanced maneuvers like drifting.\n\nFeeding the horse is particularly effective for bonding. You can find horse food at stables or general stores, or you can forage for wild carrots in the open world. Wild carrots are abundant near the Heartlands and are a free, reliable option. Feeding the horse not only boosts bonding but also restores its health and stamina, making it a win-win strategy.\n\nAnother way to bond quickly is to lead the horse on foot. This is slower than riding but is useful if you''re in a safe area and want to avoid drawing attention. Simply hold the ''Lead'' button and walk around for a few minutes. This method is especially helpful if the horse is still skittish and you want to build trust gradually.\n\nFinally, avoid actions that decrease bonding, such as running the horse into obstacles, overworking it, or letting it take damage. If the horse is injured, use Horse Reviver or visit a stable to heal it. A healthy, well-cared-for horse will bond faster and remain loyal.\n\nIn summary, bonding with a stolen horse in RDR2 requires patience and consistent care. Calm the horse, feed it, pat it, and lead it to build trust. Avoid risky areas and actions that harm the horse. With these steps, you''ll quickly increase your bond level and enjoy the benefits of a loyal, high-performing steed.