What’s the best way to handle horse bonding during missions?

Horse bonding is a crucial mechanic in Red Dead Redemption 2 that enhances your horse''s performance, trust, and responsiveness during missions. Bonding levels range from 1 to 4, with each level unlocking new abilities and improving your horse''s stats. To maximize bonding during missions, you need to focus on consistent interaction, proper care, and strategic gameplay.\n\nFirst, always ensure your horse is well-fed and groomed. Feeding your horse hay, wild carrots, or apples increases its health and stamina cores, which are essential for long missions. Grooming your horse removes dirt and improves its mood, which directly impacts bonding. You can find brushes at stables or purchase them from general stores. During missions, take breaks to feed and groom your horse, especially after intense riding or combat.\n\nSecond, pat and calm your horse frequently. Pressing the appropriate button (L3 on PlayStation, LS on Xbox) to pat your horse while riding or standing nearby increases bonding points. Calming your horse during stressful situations, such as gunfights or encounters with predators, also strengthens your bond. For example, if you''re in a mission where you''re being chased, calming your horse will prevent it from bucking you off and help you maintain control.\n\nThird, avoid reckless behavior that harms your horse. Running into trees, falling off cliffs, or exposing your horse to excessive gunfire can damage your bond. If your horse gets injured, use horse reviver or visit a stable to heal it. Missions like ''Pouring Forth Oil'' or ''The Sheep and the Goats'' often involve high-speed chases, so be cautious and avoid unnecessary risks.\n\nFourth, use your horse''s unique abilities during missions. At bonding level 2, your horse can perform a skid turn, which is useful for quick escapes or tight maneuvers. At level 3, your horse can rear up on its hind legs, intimidating enemies or clearing obstacles. At level 4, your horse gains increased health and stamina, making it more resilient during long missions. For example, in the mission ''The Fine Joys of Tobacco,'' a high-bonding horse can help you escape the law more effectively.\n\nFinally, choose the right horse for the mission. War horses like the Ardennes are ideal for combat-heavy missions, while race horses like the Arabian excel in speed-focused tasks. You can acquire these horses from stables or through specific encounters in the game. For instance, the White Arabian can be found near Lake Isabella and is perfect for missions requiring agility and speed.\n\nIn summary, handling horse bonding during missions requires a combination of care, interaction, and strategic use of your horse''s abilities. By feeding, grooming, and calming your horse, avoiding reckless behavior, and selecting the right horse for the mission, you can maximize bonding and improve your overall gameplay experience.