How do I unlock the best horse stamina upgrades?

Unlocking the best horse stamina upgrades in Red Dead Redemption 2 requires a combination of bonding, proper care, and strategic gameplay. Horse stamina is crucial for long rides, chases, and combat situations, and maximizing it ensures your horse performs at its peak. The process involves bonding with your horse, feeding it the right items, and using specific equipment like saddles and stirrups.\n\nFirst, bonding with your horse is the foundation for improving its stamina. Bonding levels range from 1 to 4, and each level increases your horse''s stats, including stamina. To increase bonding, spend time riding your horse, brushing it, feeding it, and calming it during stressful situations like gunfights or predator encounters. For example, feeding your horse hay, apples, or wild carrots will boost its health and bonding level. Calming your horse by pressing the left stick (L3 on PlayStation or LS on Xbox) while riding also helps build trust.\n\nOnce you reach bonding level 4, your horse''s stamina will be significantly improved. However, to further enhance stamina, you need to equip your horse with the right gear. Saddles and stirrups play a critical role in reducing stamina drain during gallops. The best saddle for stamina is the Improved or Specialized Saddles, which can be purchased from stables like the one in Valentine or Saint Denis. These saddles reduce stamina drain by up to 50%, allowing your horse to run longer distances without tiring.\n\nStirrups also contribute to stamina management. The Hooded Stirrups, available at stables, provide the highest stamina drain reduction. Combining a high-quality saddle with Hooded Stirrups will maximize your horse''s stamina efficiency. For example, pairing the Improved Saddle with Hooded Stirrups will give your horse a significant advantage during long rides or pursuits.\n\nAnother way to boost stamina is by feeding your horse specific items. Certain foods, like oatcakes and horse meal, temporarily increase stamina and health cores. These items can be crafted or purchased from general stores. For instance, horse meal can be crafted using hay, beets, and wild carrots, which are commonly found in the game world. Feeding your horse these items before a long journey ensures it has the stamina to keep up with your demands.\n\nFinally, consider the breed of your horse when aiming for the best stamina. Arabian horses, such as the White Arabian found near Lake Isabella, are known for their high stamina and speed. Similarly, the Missouri Fox Trotter and Turkoman breeds offer excellent stamina and are available for purchase at high-end stables like the one in Blackwater. These breeds, combined with proper bonding and equipment, will give you the best stamina performance in the game.\n\nIn summary, unlocking the best horse stamina upgrades involves bonding with your horse, equipping it with high-quality saddles and stirrups, feeding it stamina-boosting items, and choosing a breed with strong stamina stats. By following these steps, you can ensure your horse remains a reliable companion throughout your adventures in Red Dead Redemption 2.