How do I upgrade my horse’s stamina through crafting?

Upgrading your horse’s stamina in Red Dead Redemption 2 is a crucial aspect of improving your overall gameplay experience, especially for long rides, chases, and combat scenarios. While crafting itself doesn’t directly increase your horse’s stamina, it plays a significant role in enhancing your horse’s performance through the creation of items like horse tonics and improved saddles. These items indirectly boost stamina by improving recovery rates and reducing stamina drain during rides.\n\nTo begin, you’ll need to craft or purchase Horse Stimulants and Horse Tonics. These items restore your horse’s stamina instantly or over time, allowing you to maintain speed and endurance during long journeys. Crafting these tonics requires specific herbs, such as Wild Carrot, Sage, and Ginseng, which can be found throughout the game world. For example, Wild Carrot is commonly found in grassy plains, while Ginseng grows in forested areas like Big Valley. Once you’ve gathered the necessary ingredients, visit a campfire or crafting station to create the tonics.\n\nAnother way to improve your horse’s stamina is by crafting or purchasing better saddles and stirrups. Saddles like the Improved or Special Saddles reduce stamina drain significantly, allowing your horse to run longer without tiring. To craft these saddles, you’ll need to hunt specific animals and gather their pelts. For instance, the Beaver Saddle requires a Perfect Beaver Pelt, which can be obtained by hunting beavers near water sources like Owanjila Lake. Once you have the required materials, visit a Trapper to craft the saddle.\n\nBonding with your horse is another essential factor in improving stamina. As your bond level increases (up to level 4), your horse’s stamina core and overall stamina will improve naturally. To bond with your horse, spend time grooming, feeding, and patting it. Additionally, using calming techniques during stressful situations, such as gunfights or predator encounters, will help maintain your horse’s stamina and prevent it from bucking you off.\n\nFor players struggling to find specific crafting materials, consider visiting general stores or herbalists in towns like Valentine, Saint Denis, or Rhodes. These locations often sell the herbs and ingredients needed for crafting tonics. Additionally, using the Eagle Eye ability can help you locate herbs more efficiently by highlighting them in the environment.\n\nFinally, always carry a supply of Horse Tonics and Stimulants in your inventory. These items are invaluable during missions or when traveling through challenging terrain. By combining crafted tonics, improved saddles, and a strong bond with your horse, you’ll ensure that your horse’s stamina remains high, allowing you to traverse the vast world of Red Dead Redemption 2 with ease.\n\nPractical Tip: Always keep an eye on your horse’s stamina core during rides. If it’s low, use a Horse Tonic or Stimulant immediately to avoid slowing down or being caught in dangerous situations. Additionally, prioritize crafting the Improved Saddle early in the game, as it provides the most significant stamina benefits.