How do I unlock the Horse Stamina and Health upgrades?

To unlock Horse Stamina and Health upgrades in Red Dead Redemption 2, you need to focus on bonding with your horse and improving its core stats. Bonding is the foundation for enhancing your horse''s performance, and it directly impacts its stamina and health. The game uses a bonding system that ranges from Level 1 to Level 4, with each level unlocking new abilities and stat improvements. To increase bonding, you must spend time with your horse by riding, grooming, feeding, and calming it.\n\nTo start, you need to tame or purchase a horse. Wild horses can be found in various locations, such as the Heartlands or Big Valley. Approach the horse slowly, calm it by pressing the appropriate button (L3 on PlayStation or LS on Xbox), and then mount it. Once mounted, you must break the horse by staying on it as it bucks. After successfully taming the horse, it becomes yours, and you can begin bonding.\n\nBonding is increased by performing specific actions. Riding your horse is the most straightforward way to build bonding. The more you ride, the faster your bond will grow. Additionally, grooming your horse with a brush (found in your inventory) removes dirt and improves its mood, which also increases bonding. Feeding your horse with hay, wild carrots, or other food items keeps it healthy and happy, further boosting your bond. Calming your horse during stressful situations, such as near predators or gunfire, also helps.\n\nAs your bond level increases, your horse''s stamina and health cores will improve. At Bonding Level 1, your horse has basic stats. By Level 2, you unlock the ability to perform maneuvers like rearing and sliding stops. At Level 3, your horse''s stamina and health cores increase significantly, and you can call it from a greater distance. Finally, at Level 4, your horse reaches its maximum potential, with fully upgraded cores and the ability to perform advanced maneuvers like drifting.\n\nTo further enhance your horse''s stamina and health, you can equip better saddles and stirrups. These items are available at stables and can be purchased with in-game currency. The best saddles, such as the Improved or Special Saddles, provide significant boosts to stamina and health regeneration. Stirrups, like the Hooded Stirrups, also improve these stats. Combining a high-quality saddle with upgraded stirrups ensures your horse performs at its best.\n\nAnother way to improve your horse''s stats is by using Horse Tonics. These consumable items temporarily boost stamina or health cores and can be crafted or purchased. For example, the Horse Stimulant recipe requires Indian Tobacco and can be crafted at a campfire. Using tonics during long rides or intense situations can help your horse maintain peak performance.\n\nPractical tips for maximizing your horse''s stamina and health include always carrying horse care items like brushes and food. Regularly visit stables to check for new saddles and stirrups. Avoid overworking your horse by letting it rest and feeding it often. Finally, always calm your horse during stressful situations to prevent it from bucking you off or running away.\n\nIn summary, unlocking Horse Stamina and Health upgrades requires bonding with your horse, equipping better gear, and using consumables. By following these steps, you can ensure your horse is always ready for the challenges of the Wild West.