Red Dead Redemption 2 - Upgrade and Recharge Horse Cores

Rockstar’s long-awaited Red Dead Redemption 2 is out now, and much like the original, or Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, your horse is incredibly important. Sure, you can grab any basic horse in the game if you want, but if you take care of your equine wonder you’ll soon see the benefits. Much like Arthur Morgan, your horse has health and stamina cores, but how do you recharge or upgrade RDR2 horse cores? We’re here to show you how.

How to Restore Horse Cores in Red Dead Redemption 2

You have to be careful with your lovely horse in Red Dead Redemption 2, as much like Arthur it has a health core and a stamina core. Injuries can deplete your horse’s health, and if you get your horse to sprint or jump it will reduce its stamina. Additionally, your horse needs to eat, and be cleaned if it gets dirty. If your horse gets hungry or too dirty it will affect its cores, so it can’t take as many injuries and will tire faster.

There are two ways to restore horse cores in Red Dead Redemption 2. The first is by feeding your horse. Oatcakes, apples, hay, and some plants have good nutritional value and allow your horse to be pushed harder. When it gets dirty you’ll have to clean them. Open up your inventory, select horse items, and choose either food or the brush to feed or clean your horse. Be careful not to overfeed your horse however, otherwise, it’ll get fat and it’ll have a negative effect on its cores.

How to Upgrade Red Dead Redemption 2 Horse Cores

The main way you upgrade your horse in Red Dead Redemption 2 is through love. Seriously. As you do more with the horse your “Bonding” level increases, and as it goes up (to a maximum of Level 4) your horse’s health and stamina cores will be upgraded, so they can take more damage and sprint for longer.

You can increase Bonding simply by spending time with your horse, but to speed it up you can also calm it when it gets frightened, feed it when it’s hungry, and clean it when it’s dirty. You can also give your horse treats such as sugar cubes or English mace, which have no nutritional value but will get your horse to trust you more. You can also go to a bar or take it bowling, but then it might keep on calling you in the middle of a mission.