What’s the safest way to fast travel without losing my horse?

Fast traveling in Red Dead Redemption 2 can be a convenient way to move across the map quickly, but it comes with the risk of losing your horse if not done correctly. To ensure your horse remains safe while fast traveling, you need to understand the game mechanics and follow specific steps. This guide will walk you through the safest methods to fast travel without losing your horse, including practical examples and solutions to common challenges.\n\nFirst, it’s important to know that fast travel in RDR2 is not as straightforward as in other open-world games. You cannot simply open the map and select a destination to teleport. Instead, fast travel is tied to specific locations and mechanics, such as stagecoaches, trains, and camp upgrades. When using these methods, your horse will typically follow you to the destination, but there are exceptions and risks involved.\n\nOne of the safest ways to fast travel is by using the camp’s fast travel map. To unlock this feature, you must upgrade Arthur’s lodging at the camp. This requires donating $220 to the camp ledger and purchasing the ‘Leather Working Tools’ from the ledger for $225. Once these upgrades are complete, a fast travel map will appear near Arthur’s tent. Interacting with this map allows you to fast travel to major towns and landmarks. Importantly, your horse will automatically spawn at the destination, ensuring it doesn’t get lost.\n\nAnother method is using stagecoaches or trains. These are available in towns like Valentine, Saint Denis, and Rhodes. To use a stagecoach, approach the driver and pay a small fee to travel to another town. Your horse will follow you to the destination, but it’s crucial to ensure your horse is hitched nearby before boarding. If your horse is too far away, it may not follow, leaving you stranded at the destination without it. Always double-check your horse’s location before fast traveling.\n\nTrains work similarly to stagecoaches but offer more flexibility in terms of destinations. You can board a train at any station and purchase a ticket to travel to another station. Again, your horse will follow you, but only if it’s hitched nearby. If you’re unsure, call your horse to ensure it’s close before boarding. This method is particularly useful for long-distance travel across the map.\n\nA common mistake players make is fast traveling without considering their horse’s bond level. If your horse is not bonded to level 4, it may not follow you reliably during fast travel. To avoid this, spend time bonding with your horse by feeding, brushing, and riding it. A fully bonded horse is more likely to stay with you during fast travel and other activities.\n\nIn rare cases, your horse may still go missing after fast traveling. If this happens, don’t panic. Open the player menu, go to the ‘Stables’ tab, and check if your horse is listed. If it is, you can retrieve it from the stable. If not, reloading a recent save is often the best solution. Always save your game manually before fast traveling to avoid losing progress or your horse.\n\nTo summarize, the safest way to fast travel without losing your horse involves upgrading your camp for the fast travel map, using stagecoaches or trains with your horse hitched nearby, and ensuring your horse is fully bonded. By following these steps, you can enjoy the convenience of fast travel while keeping your trusted companion safe.\n\nPractical tips: Always hitch your horse before fast traveling, bond with your horse to level 4, and save your game manually before using fast travel. These precautions will minimize the risk of losing your horse and ensure a smooth gameplay experience.