What’s the best way to calm a horse after it’s been injured?

Calming a horse after it has been injured in Red Dead Redemption 2 is a critical skill for maintaining your bond and ensuring your horse remains reliable in tense situations. When a horse is injured, it becomes agitated, and its stamina and health cores may drop significantly. To calm it, you need to approach the situation carefully and use specific in-game mechanics to restore its composure.\n\nFirst, approach your injured horse slowly. If you run or move too quickly, the horse may become more agitated and could even buck you off. Press the left stick gently to walk toward the horse, and avoid sudden movements. As you get closer, you’ll see a prompt to calm the horse by pressing the L3 button (on PlayStation) or LS button (on Xbox). This action will soothe the horse and reduce its stress level.\n\nOnce you’ve calmed the horse, immediately check its health. Open your satchel and use a Horse Reviver or Horse Medicine to restore its health core. These items can be purchased from stables or general stores, such as the one in Valentine or Saint Denis. If you don’t have these items, you can craft Horse Medicine using herbs like Burdock Root and Sage, which are commonly found in the wild. Always keep a few of these items in your inventory for emergencies.\n\nAfter administering the necessary treatment, continue to calm the horse by petting it. Press the L3 or LS button repeatedly while standing next to the horse. This will not only restore its calmness but also increase your bond level. Bonding with your horse is crucial, as it improves its responsiveness, stamina, and overall performance. A higher bond level also makes the horse less likely to panic in dangerous situations.\n\nIf your horse is severely injured and cannot move, you may need to call for help. Use the whistle command (up on the D-pad) to call your horse, but if it doesn’t respond, you’ll need to carry it to safety. This is a rare scenario, but it can happen if the horse is critically injured. In such cases, you can use a wagon or another horse to transport it to a stable for further treatment.\n\nTo prevent injuries in the future, always be mindful of your surroundings. Avoid galloping through rocky terrain or dense forests, as these areas increase the risk of your horse tripping or colliding with obstacles. Additionally, keep an eye on your horse’s stamina and health cores during combat or chases. If the cores are low, dismount and let the horse rest before continuing.\n\nFinally, consider upgrading your horse’s equipment. Purchasing a better saddle or stirrups from a stable can improve its stamina and health regeneration. For example, the Improved Saddle, available at the Valentine stable, provides significant benefits. These upgrades make your horse more resilient and less prone to injuries during long rides or intense gameplay moments.\n\nIn summary, calming an injured horse requires patience, the right items, and a good understanding of the game’s mechanics. By following these steps, you can ensure your horse remains a loyal and reliable companion throughout your journey in Red Dead Redemption 2.