How do I unlock the best horse brushes and care items?

Unlocking the best horse brushes and care items in Red Dead Redemption 2 is essential for maintaining your horse''s health, stamina, and bonding level. These items are crucial for ensuring your horse performs at its peak, especially during intense missions or long travels. To access these tools, you''ll need to progress through the game, visit specific locations, and interact with key vendors.\n\nFirst, horse brushes and care items are primarily purchased from stables and general stores. The best brushes, such as the Horse Brush, are available early in the game. You can buy them from any stable or general store, including the one in Valentine, which is one of the first towns you visit. The Horse Brush costs around $2.50 and is a one-time purchase. It’s a must-have item for cleaning your horse, which improves bonding and keeps its core stats in good condition.\n\nTo unlock higher-quality care items like Horse Stimulants, Horse Revivers, and Horse Ointments, you’ll need to progress through the story and increase your access to more advanced stores. These items are available in larger towns like Saint Denis, which has a general store with a wider inventory. Horse Stimulants, for example, restore your horse’s stamina instantly, making them invaluable during chases or races. These items typically cost between $1.50 and $5.00, depending on the type.\n\nGame mechanics play a significant role in how you use these items. Bonding with your horse is a key mechanic, and brushing your horse daily increases this bond. A higher bond level unlocks better stamina, health, and maneuverability for your horse. Additionally, using Horse Ointment or Horse Reviver during emergencies can save your horse from critical conditions, such as injuries or near-death situations. Always keep these items stocked in your inventory.\n\nFor new players, a common challenge is managing funds to purchase these items early in the game. A practical solution is to hunt and sell pelts or complete side missions to earn money quickly. For example, hunting deer near Valentine and selling their pelts to the Trapper can net you enough cash to buy brushes and care items within the first few hours of gameplay.\n\nExperienced players should focus on optimizing their horse’s performance by combining brushing with feeding and patting. Feeding your horse hay or wild carrots boosts its cores, while brushing removes dirt and improves bonding. This combination ensures your horse remains in top condition for long rides or combat scenarios.\n\nIn summary, unlocking the best horse brushes and care items involves visiting stables and general stores, progressing through the story, and managing your in-game finances. Prioritize purchasing the Horse Brush early, and stock up on Horse Stimulants and Revivers as you gain access to larger towns like Saint Denis. Regular care and bonding will ensure your horse remains a reliable companion throughout your journey.\n\nPractical tips: Always carry a Horse Reviver in case of emergencies, brush your horse daily to maintain bonding, and feed it regularly to keep its cores full. Visit stables frequently to check for new items and upgrades as you progress through the game.