What’s the best way to keep your horse fed and hydrated?

Keeping your horse fed and hydrated in Red Dead Redemption 2 is essential for maintaining its health, stamina, and bond level. A well-cared-for horse will perform better in races, chases, and combat, making it a critical aspect of gameplay. To ensure your horse stays in peak condition, you need to regularly feed it and provide water, while also monitoring its core stats (health, stamina, and bonding level).\n\nFirst, let’s discuss feeding your horse. Horses in RDR2 require food to replenish their stamina and health cores. You can feed your horse by opening the item wheel (hold L1/LB), selecting the Horse Care section, and choosing from available food items like hay, apples, carrots, or wild carrots. Hay and apples are commonly found at stables or general stores, while wild carrots can be foraged in the wild. For example, wild carrots are abundant near the Heartland Overflow area in New Hanover. Feeding your horse once or twice a day (in-game time) is sufficient to keep its cores full.\n\nHydration is equally important. To give your horse water, lead it to a water source like a river, lake, or trough. Stand near the water and press the appropriate button prompt (usually Triangle/Y) to make your horse drink. If you’re in a town, look for water troughs near stables or general stores. In the wilderness, rivers like the Dakota River or Flat Iron Lake are excellent spots to hydrate your horse. Keep in mind that your horse’s hydration level is tied to its stamina core, so neglecting this can lead to slower stamina regeneration.\n\nMonitoring your horse’s core stats is crucial. Open the player menu (press Left on the D-pad) and navigate to the Horse section to check its health, stamina, and bonding level. If the cores are low, prioritize feeding and hydrating your horse immediately. Additionally, brushing your horse (using the Horse Care menu) and applying horse tonics can help restore its cores faster. Horse tonics can be crafted or purchased from general stores and are especially useful during long journeys or intense activities.\n\nCommon challenges include running out of food or being in areas with limited water sources. To avoid this, always carry a stock of horse food in your satchel. Apples and hay are lightweight and easy to store. If you’re in a dry area like New Austin, plan your route to pass by water sources or carry extra horse tonics. Another tip is to use the Horse Meal recipe, which can be crafted at campfires using ingredients like wild carrots, berries, and herbs. This meal provides a significant boost to your horse’s cores.\n\nFinally, bonding with your horse improves its overall performance and responsiveness. Spend time grooming, feeding, and calming your horse (by pressing L3/LS while riding) to increase your bond level. A higher bond level unlocks better stamina and health stats, making your horse more resilient. For example, a Level 4 bond horse can sprint longer and recover stamina faster, which is invaluable during missions or escapes.\n\nIn summary, the best way to keep your horse fed and hydrated is to regularly check its cores, carry ample food, and plan routes with water sources. Use horse tonics and crafted meals for emergencies, and prioritize bonding to unlock your horse’s full potential. By following these steps, your horse will remain a reliable companion throughout your adventures in Red Dead Redemption 2.