What horse is best for you in Red Dead Online?

No cowboy is complete without a trusty stallion in Red Dead Online.  Your loyal “boah” will take you from town to town in style and can help you outrun or battle through any obstacle the game or griefers throw at you. In order to really deck out your character, finding the right horsey is key.  So let’s take a look at some of the finest horses available, what makes them awesome, and how you can snag them on your way to dominating the frontier.  

7. Arabian (Red Chestnut)

Red Dead Redemption 2 Online FREE Red Chestnut Arabian Horse on RDR2 Online! Red Dead Online!

This horse comes free for those that preordered the game or have the Ultimate Edition.  It does not have the leading statistics of the Black Arabian or others that we will look at, however, for those new to the game this is a good option. Its stats make it a viable horse until you can master a role and unlock a top-tier horse.  

What is great about the Red Chestnut Arabian

• A great early rank horse as you grind out the various role ranks and game ranks
• Lower stats than the Black Arabian, but it still has “Elite” handling

Red Chestnut Arabian’s stats

• 5/10 Speed and 4/10 Acceleration
• Just over 1/4 on the Health meter and nearly 1/2 on the Stamina meter
•  Elite handling

How to get the Red Chestnut Arabian

•  Available from the start
•  Costs $250
•  Free for preorder and Ultimate Edition

6. Missouri Fox Trotter (Silver Dapple Pinto and Amber Champagne)

Red Dead Redemption 2 Horses - Missouri Fox Trotter Overview

The Missouri Fox Trotter is a potential alternative to the Black Arabian.  It does not match the acceleration or handling of the Black Arabian, however, it has a higher top speed.  Until the release of roles (Trader, Collector, Bounty Hunter, and Moonshiner) and their horses, the Missouri Fox Trotter was the fastest horse in the game.     

What is great about the Missouri Fox Trotter

• This is one of the fastest breeds of horse in the game
• It is currently tied with the Criollo and Norfolk Roadster for top speed 

Missouri Fox Trotter’s stats

• 7/10 Speed and 5/10 Acceleration
• 1/2 on the Health meter and just over 1/2 on the Stamina meter
• Standard handling

How to get the Missouri Fox Trotter

• Unlocks at Game Rank 58
• Costs $950 or 38 Gold Bars

5. Criollo (Marble Sabino or Bay Frame Overo)

Red Dead Online Horses - Criollo Overview

This is a fast top-tier horse.  It has the same statistics in speed, acceleration, health, and stamina as the Missouri Fox Trotter. This horse (like the Kladruber, Breton, and Roadster) is unlocked through ranking up a role that will likely take less time than maxing your game rank, so it can probably be purchased before either the Missouri Fox Trotter or the fabled Black Arabian. 

What is great about the Criollo

• One of the fastest top-tier horses in the game
• Same stats as the Missouri Fox Trotter but takes less time to get

Criollo’s stats

• 7/10 Speed and 5/10 Acceleration
• 1/2 on the Health meter and just over 1/2 on the Stamina meter
• Standard handling

How to get the Criollo

• Unlocks with 3 role tokens at Collector Rank 20
• Costs $950 or 38 Gold Bars

4. Kladruber (Dapple Rose Grey or Silver)

Red Dead Online Horses - Kladruber Overview

This fellow probably won’t win any races, but it will never get tired and it will rarely die. The Kladruber is a solid horse with gigantic stats in stamina and health.  While speed might be the stat that most folks look for in a horse, any bounty hunter knows that having a horse shot out from under you can ruin a bounty and your day. If you want a big tanky horse, this is your best option.   

What is great about the Kladruber

• This horse may not get there quickly but it won’t get tired and it usually won’t die
• The Trader role it unlocks with is a real money maker

Kladruber’s stats

• 4/10 Speed and 5/10 Acceleration
• Just under 3/4 on the Health and Stamina meters
• Standard handling

How to get the Kladruber

• Unlocks with 3 role tokens at Trader Rank 20
• Costs either $950 or 38 Gold Bars

3. Breton (Steel Grey or Mealy Dapple)

Red Dead Online Horses - Breton Overview

The Breton finds an ideal balance between fast and robust. Though notably lacking in acceleration, it has higher stats in health and stamina than its speedier counterparts which gives it better survivability in a mounted fight. Its speed stat is nothing to sneer at either. Though not as fast as the Criollo and Roadster or as strong as the Kladruber, it is the best-balanced horse available through ranking up a role.      

What is great about the Breton

• Perhaps the best balanced top tier horse
• Same top speed as the Black Arabian with better stamina

Breton’s stats

• 6/10 Speed and 4/10 Acceleration
• Nearly 3/4 on the Stamina meter and just over 1/2 on the Health meter
• Standard Handling

How to get the Breton

• Unlocks with 3 role tokens at Bounty Hunter Rank 20
• Costs $950 or 38 Gold Bars

2. Norfolk Roadster (Spotted Tricolor or Dapple Buckskin)

The Best Race Horse In RDO! MAX Level Norfolk Roadster Review - Red Dead Online Moonshiners Update

The Roadster is a swift horse, it is faster than both the Arabian and Criollo. Statistically, it is similar to the Criollo except it has greater acceleration at the cost of health. To capitalize on its high stats in speed and acceleration, it also has stamina on par with the Black Arabian and Criollo.  Based on the speed and acceleration stats, this horse is currently the fastest in the game.   

What is great about the Norfolk Roadster

• This is the fastest horse in the land
• Equal stamina to the Arabian and Criollo meaning that it can even compete at distance

Norfolk Roadster’s stats

• 7/10 Speed and 6/10 Acceleration
• Just under 1/2 on the Health meter and just over 1/2 on the Stamina meter
• Standard handling

How to get the Norfolk Roadster

• Unlocks with 3 role tokens at Moonshiner Rank 20
• Costs $950 or 38 Gold Bars

1. Arabian (Black)

Red Dead Redemption 2 Horses - Arabian Overview

The Black Arabian is a late rank horse, it will probably be your longest-running goal in this game. The Black Arabian has balanced stats that will make it well suited toward speed and acceleration with the right saddle. Statistically, the Roadster is its closest competition with slightly higher speed but less health. However, Arabian horses are the only horses with “Elite” handling which makes it unique among the other top-tier speed demons. It is more expensive and requires a higher game-rank than any other horse to buy currently.   

What is great about the Black Arabian

• Fast and balanced, only the roadster beats in the speed and acceleration stats
• It has higher health than the Roadster
• Only horse breed with “Elite” handling

Black Arabian’s stats

• 6/10 Speed and Acceleration
• Just over 1/2 on the Health and Stamina meters
• Elite handling

How to get the Black Arabian

• Unlocks at Game Rank 70
• Costs 42 Gold Bars

Here are some other informative articles on the horses available in RDO.

Red Dead 2 Horses Database

How to Get the Best Horse in Red Dead Online

Red Dead Online Best Horses