What’s the best way to improve my horse’s health and stamina cores?

Improving your horse''s health and stamina cores in Red Dead Redemption 2 is essential for ensuring your mount can handle long rides, combat, and other challenges. The health core determines how much damage your horse can take before it goes down, while the stamina core affects how long your horse can sprint or gallop without tiring. Both cores can be improved through bonding, feeding, and proper care.\n\nFirst, bonding with your horse is the foundation for improving its cores. Bonding levels range from 1 to 4, and each level increases your horse''s health and stamina stats. To bond with your horse, spend time riding it, brushing it, feeding it, and calming it when it gets spooked. For example, patting your horse after a long ride or during stressful situations like gunfights will increase your bond. Bonding also unlocks new abilities, such as rearing, skidding turns, and better responsiveness to commands.\n\nFeeding your horse is another critical aspect of improving its cores. Horses require a balanced diet of hay, wild carrots, apples, and other provisions. You can find hay at stables or purchase it from general stores. Wild carrots can be foraged in the open world, particularly in grassy areas like the Heartlands or Big Valley. Feeding your horse regularly replenishes its cores and prevents them from depleting too quickly. Avoid overfeeding, as this can lead to temporary weight gain, which affects your horse''s performance.\n\nUsing horse tonics and supplements is a quick way to boost your horse''s cores. Items like Horse Stimulant, Horse Medicine, and Special Horse Reviver can be purchased from stables or crafted using herbs like Ginseng and Yarrow. These items are especially useful during intense moments, such as chases or battles, when your horse''s cores are rapidly depleting. Keep a stock of these items in your satchel for emergencies.\n\nRegular grooming is also important for maintaining your horse''s cores. Dirt and mud can reduce your horse''s stamina regeneration, so use a brush to clean it regularly. You can find brushes at stables or purchase them from general stores. Grooming not only improves your horse''s appearance but also strengthens your bond, leading to better core performance.\n\nFinally, avoid overworking your horse. Pushing your horse to sprint for extended periods without rest will drain its stamina core quickly. Use the calm button (L3 on PlayStation, LS on Xbox) to soothe your horse and restore some stamina while riding. Additionally, avoid dangerous terrain like steep cliffs or deep water, as these can harm your horse and reduce its health core.\n\nFor new players, focus on bonding with your horse first. Spend time riding and caring for it, and avoid rushing into dangerous situations until your horse''s cores are strong enough. Experienced players can optimize their horse''s performance by combining bonding, feeding, and tonics to maintain peak condition during missions and exploration.\n\nPractical tip: Visit the stables in Valentine or Saint Denis to purchase high-quality horse provisions and tonics. These locations also offer upgrades like better saddles and stirrups, which further enhance your horse''s stamina and health regeneration. By following these steps, you''ll have a reliable and resilient horse ready for any challenge in Red Dead Redemption 2.