What’s the fastest way to bond with a new horse?

Bonding with a new horse in Red Dead Redemption 2 is essential for improving its stats, responsiveness, and overall performance. The bonding level ranges from 1 to 4, with each level unlocking new abilities and making your horse more reliable. To bond quickly, focus on activities that increase trust and familiarity, such as riding, grooming, feeding, and calming your horse.\n\nStart by mounting your new horse and riding it frequently. The more you ride, the faster your bond will grow. Aim to cover long distances, as time spent in the saddle directly contributes to bonding progress. Avoid fast-traveling, as it skips the bonding opportunities that come with riding. Instead, explore the open world, complete missions, or hunt while riding your horse to maximize bonding time.\n\nGrooming your horse is another effective way to increase bonding. Use a brush to clean your horse whenever it gets dirty, which happens after riding through mud, water, or dusty terrain. Grooming not only boosts bonding but also improves your horse''s health and stamina. You can purchase a horse brush from stables or general stores, and it’s a worthwhile investment for any player.\n\nFeeding your horse is equally important. Regularly provide your horse with hay, wild carrots, or other horse-specific foods to keep its cores (health and stamina) full. Feeding your horse not only restores its energy but also strengthens your bond. You can find wild carrots in the open world or purchase food from stables and general stores. Avoid feeding your horse items like herbs or meat, as these won’t contribute to bonding.\n\nCalming your horse during stressful situations is another bonding booster. If your horse becomes agitated—such as when encountering predators, gunfire, or dangerous terrain—press the calm button (L3 on PlayStation or LS on Xbox) to soothe it. This action not only prevents your horse from bucking you off but also increases trust between you and your horse.\n\nTo speed up the bonding process, consider combining these activities. For example, ride your horse to a scenic location, groom it, feed it, and then continue riding. This multi-step approach ensures you’re maximizing bonding opportunities in a short amount of time. Additionally, avoid actions that decrease bonding, such as neglecting your horse’s needs or causing it harm.\n\nFor players looking to bond with a new horse quickly, focus on completing the Horse Fence mission in Chapter 3. This mission unlocks the ability to sell stolen horses, but more importantly, it provides access to high-quality horses like the Missouri Fox Trotter or Turkoman. These horses have excellent stats and are worth the effort to bond with.\n\nFinally, remember that bonding is a gradual process, but consistency is key. By riding, grooming, feeding, and calming your horse regularly, you’ll reach bonding level 4 in no time. At this level, your horse will have improved stats, better handling, and the ability to perform advanced maneuvers like drifting and rearing. With patience and care, your new horse will become a loyal companion on your journey through the Wild West.