The saddle is a great way to upgrade your horse. This list includes a mix of trapper-made and stable-bought saddles ranging from early to late game.

Be aware that you will want to include a stirrup to the stable-bought saddles with the best stats belonging to the Hooded Stirrup (you can’t wear custom stirrups with trapper saddles).

Post-launch, Rockstar patched the trapper saddles to include the same modifier as the Hooded Stirrup (+2 to acceleration and speed, -50% stamina drain rate). While the +2 to acceleration and speed aren’t readily found in the description, you can see it in the form of yellow notches on your horse's overall speed and acceleration whenever you have one of the trapper’s saddles equipped.

Stable-Bought Saddles

1. Kneller Dakota Saddle (Early Game)

This is a strong first saddle purchase, and it includes bang for your buck.

You can customize this saddle in many ways including choosing from several different colors when purchasing it. Go ahead and add different stirrups, horns, and other accessories that change the look of the saddle which you, sadly, can’t do with the trapper-made saddles.

Once you can afford it, I recommend pairing these with the Hooded Stirrups as they offer a significant stat boost. There are cheaper stirrups that give you less of a boost, so it’s up to you whether you want to save up for the only stirrups you’ll need or buy some different ones along the way. 

Acquiring The Kneller Dakota Saddle:

Upon reaching Chapter 2, you can visit any stable and purchase the Kneller Dakota Saddle for $43.

Kneller Dakota Saddle:

Core HP Drain: -4%

Core Stamina Drain: -8%

Stamina Regen: +6%

Cost: $43

2. Kneller Mother Hubbard Saddle Improved +Hooded Stirrup (Mid Game)

This gorgeous saddle is great for its price. For $101, you can have a solid customizable saddle plus the best stirrups in the game. The stat boost over the previous stable-bought saddle is great and adding in the Hooded Stirrups brings this saddle to the next level.

At this point in the game, you’re likely to have some spending money. This will allow you to choose various colors and accessories to achieve the best look on various horses.  

Acquiring The Kneller Mother Hubbard Saddle + Hooded Stirrup:

This saddle stirrup combo is purchasable from any stable and costs $65 for the saddle and $36 for the stirrup.

Kneller Mother Hubbard Saddle:

Core HP Drain: -14%

Core Stamina Drain: -12%

Stamina Regen: +12%

Cost: $65

Hooded Stirrup:

Speed: +2

Acceleration: +2

Stamina Drain Rate: -50%

Cost: $36

3. Gerden Trail Saddle Improved + Hooded Stirrup (Late Game)

It was a close toss-up between this saddle and the Improved Gerden Vaquero Saddle for the best stable-bought saddle. While the Gerden Vaquero has a hair better all-around stats, the boost to stamina drain rate is hard to argue with for long distances and this saddle is the cheaper of the two. 

This saddle and stirrup combo is the best that money can buy in RDR2. Similarly to other stable-bought saddles, it allows for some great customization. If you’re looking for a stable-bought saddle, this is the one to aim for.

Acquiring The Gerden Trail Saddle:

Purchase and equip this saddle at any stable for $80. If you haven’t purchased it, the stirrup is $36.

Gerden Trail Saddle:

Core HP Drain: -12%

Core Stamina Drain: -18%

Stamina Regen: +16%

Cost: $80

Hooded Stirrup:

Speed: +2

Acceleration: +2

Stamina Drain Rate: -50%

Cost: $36

Trapper-Made Saddles

4. Boar Mother Hubbard Saddle (Early Game)

This is the first of the trapper-made saddles you are likely to acquire in the game due to how prevalent boars are. At the point where you are still learning how to hunt, acquiring a perfect boar pelt is relatively simple compared to some of the other acquisitions required for this list.

The stat boost given by this saddle is significant. Ever since Rockstar patched the trapper-made saddles to include the best stirrup modifier, the difference between this saddle and your base saddle is noticeable. 

Acquiring The Boar Mother Hubbard Saddle:

To acquire this saddle bring the trapper NPC 1 perfect boar pelt, and then have him craft the Boar Mother Hubbard Saddle. For some reason, he will imply that you can access the saddle right away or have it delivered to a stable. However, I’ve never been able to access it right away, and you’ll have to visit a stable to equip this.

Boar Mother Hubbard Saddle:

Core HP Drain: -22%

Core Stamina Drain: -20%

Stamina Drain Rate: -50%

Stamina Regen: +20%

Speed: +2

Acceleration: +2

Cost: 1 Perfect Boar Pelt

5. Cougar McClelland Saddle (Mid Game)

Acquiring your first perfect cougar pelt is an achievement. Being able to bring that pelt to the trapper and have him make this saddle, is a just reward.

The stats are strong, and the saddle is beautiful. While the stats are comparable to the Boar Mother Hubbard Saddle, it’s great to have options for your play style as the core stamina drain rate has increased.

Acquiring The Cougar McClelland Saddle:

When you bring the trapper 1 perfect cougar pelt, he’ll be able to craft this saddle. You’ll have to travel to a stable to equip it.

Cougar McClelland Saddle:

Core HP Drain: -20%

Core Stamina Drain: -22%

Stamina Drain Rate: -50%

Stamina Regen: +20%

Speed: +2

Acceleration: +2

Cost: 1 Perfect Cougar Pelt

6. Bear Dakota Saddle (Mid Game)

I love the classic look of this particular saddle. It looks warm and cozy. The stats are impressive, and this saddle boasts a -24% to core stamina drain rate.

It’s relatively simple to get a perfect black bear pelt (less so for a grizzly but the requirement is for any bear pelt) once you have picked up the nuances of hunting. Considering what you get, this saddle is a bargain. 

Acquiring The Bear Dakota Saddle:

By bringing the trapper 1 perfect bear pelt, you will have the option to have him craft this saddle. Once you reach a stable, you’ll have the option to equip it.

Bear Dakota Saddle:

Core HP Drain: -20%

Core Stamina Drain: -24%

Stamina Drain Rate: -50%

Stamina Regen: +22%

Speed: +2

Acceleration: +2

Cost: 1 Perfect Bear Pelt

7. Alligator Ranch Cutter Saddle (Mid Game)

While I didn’t ride this saddle for long, it’s still worth a special mention. By the time you are riding around the bayou surrounding Saint Denis, you are likely close to acquiring the Panther Trail Saddle or the Rattlesnake Vaquero Saddle. However, its stat boost is impressive.

Adding a comfortable buffer to your horse's health is worth some extra effort. With an HP core drain rate of -24%, collecting this saddle is a must. The collection completionist in me won’t have it any other way.

Acquiring The Alligator Ranch Cutter Saddle:

The trapper requires 1 perfect alligator skin to be able to craft this saddle. From there, equip the saddle at any stable.

Alligator Ranch Cutter Saddle:

Core HP Drain: -24%

Core Stamina Drain: -20%

Stamina Drain Rate: -50%

Stamina Regen: +22%

Speed: +2

Acceleration: +2

Cost: 1 Perfect Alligator Skin

8. Beaver Roping Saddle (Mid Game)

It can be a little tricky to acquire a perfect beaver pelt, and the trapper asks for so many of them that it can be frustrating to acquire this saddle. However, it is a great saddle all around. The increase in stamina regeneration and decrease in HP drain start to add up here.

The look of this saddle is as iconically Old West as this list has, and I love that about it. 

Acquiring The Beaver Roping Saddle:

By bringing the trapper 1 perfect beaver pelt, he’ll be able to craft this saddle for you. Equip the saddle at any stable.

Beaver Roping Saddle:

Core HP Drain: -26%

Core Stamina Drain: -20%

Stamina Drain Rate: -50%

Stamina Regen: +24%

Speed: +2

Acceleration: +2

Cost: 1 Perfect Beaver Pelt

9. Rattlesnake Vaquero Saddle (Late Game)

While it will take 10 perfect snake pelts, this saddle is worth it. I know, I know 10 perfect snake pelts is going to take some doing, but you’ll walk away with arguably the best saddle in the game.

This is my preferred saddle, as I love the look of it, and the stats are overall equal to that of the next saddle on the list. It’s a little more generalized than the Panther Trail Saddle, which takes the top spot on the list, with high overall stats. 

Acquiring The Rattlesnake Vaquero Saddle:

Bring the trapper 10 perfect snake pelts, and he will be able to craft you this saddle. Then, equip it at any stable.

Rattlesnake Vaquero Saddle:

Core HP Drain: -22%

Core Stamina Drain: -24%

Stamina Drain Rate: -50%

Stamina Regen: +24%

Speed: +2

Acceleration: +2

Cost: 10 Perfect Snake Pelts

10. Panther Trail Saddle (Late Game)

We come to the top of the list. With a whopping -26% to stamina core drain rate in addition to its other boons, it’s not difficult to understand why so many players end up riding around on this saddle all through the epilogue. 

The speed and rideability of a good horse when they are wearing this saddle is hard to beat.

Acquiring The Panther Trail Saddle:

Bring the trapper 1 perfect panther pelt, and he can craft you the Panther Trail Saddle. You’ll have the option to equip it at any stable.

Panther Trail Saddle:

Core HP Drain: -20%

Core Stamina Drain: -26%

Stamina Drain Rate: -50%

Stamina Regen: +24%

Speed: +2

Acceleration: +2

Cost: 1 Perfect Panther Pelt

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