What’s the best way to avoid horse injuries during missions?

Avoiding horse injuries during missions in Red Dead Redemption 2 is crucial for maintaining your horse''s health and ensuring smooth gameplay. Horses are your primary mode of transportation, and injuries can slow you down, reduce bonding levels, or even lead to your horse''s death. To prevent injuries, you need to understand the game mechanics, plan your actions carefully, and use the right tools and strategies.\n\nFirst, always keep an eye on your horse''s stamina and health cores. These are displayed in the bottom-left corner of the screen. A depleted stamina core will make your horse slower and more prone to accidents, while a low health core increases the risk of injury. To replenish these cores, feed your horse regularly with items like hay, wild carrots, or horse tonics. You can find these items at stables, general stores, or by foraging in the wild. For example, wild carrots are abundant near the Heartlands in New Hanover.\n\nDuring missions, avoid reckless riding. Collisions with trees, rocks, or other obstacles can cause severe injuries. Use the cinematic camera mode sparingly, as it reduces your control over the horse. Instead, manually steer your horse around obstacles and slow down when navigating tight spaces or uneven terrain. For instance, when riding through dense forests like Tall Trees or the Grizzlies, take your time to avoid sudden crashes.\n\nCombat situations pose a significant risk to your horse. Enemies often target your horse, and stray bullets or explosions can injure or kill it. To minimize this risk, dismount and take cover during shootouts. If you must stay mounted, use the ''calm'' command (L3 on PlayStation or LS on Xbox) to keep your horse steady. Additionally, equip your horse with a better saddle and stirrups, which improve its health and stamina. The Panther Trail Saddle, for example, is one of the best options and can be crafted after hunting a perfect panther pelt in the Bayou Nwa region.\n\nAnother common cause of horse injuries is falling from great heights. Horses can survive small drops, but steep cliffs or high bridges can be fatal. Always scout your path before riding and avoid shortcuts that involve risky jumps. For example, when crossing the mountains near Valentine, stick to marked trails instead of attempting to scale cliffs.\n\nFinally, always carry Horse Reviver in your inventory. This item can save your horse if it gets critically injured. You can purchase Horse Reviver from general stores or craft it using specific herbs. Keep at least two bottles on hand during missions, especially those involving combat or challenging terrain.\n\nBy following these tips, you can significantly reduce the risk of horse injuries during missions. Pay attention to your horse''s needs, ride carefully, and prepare for potential dangers. A healthy and well-cared-for horse will make your journey through the world of Red Dead Redemption 2 much smoother and more enjoyable.