How to get a horse brush in Red Dead Redemption 2
If you want your horse to be in tip-top condition in Red Dead Redemption 2, you'll need to clean them using a horse brush.
As any good cowboy knows, animal husbandry is the cornerstone to a wholesome life on the prairie. Arthur Morgan and the gang aren't really the settler type though, so it's lucky that an equine friend is just as useful for outrunning the law as it is going for a nice stroll. That said, you'll want to take good care of your horse by using the horse brush and feeding it in Red Dead Redemption 2.
Caring for your horses in Red Dead Redemption 2 not only keeps their coats clean and shiny, it also replenishes their health and stamina cores too. So, you ideally want to keep your horse in the best condition at all times, especially if you're anticipating intense chases or races. So, here's how to get a horse brush and brush your horse in Red Dead Redemption 2.
How to get a horse brush in Red Dead Redemption 2
There are a few reasons to keep your horse's mane and tail brushed in Red Dead Redemption 2, but first, you'll need to actually get your hands on a horse brush. The horse brush is unlocked during Chapter 2 following the Exit Pursued by a Bruised Ego main story mission, which you'll be made to do. This mission is not missable.
During this mission, you'll have the option to buy a horse from the stable in Valentine. By doing so, you'll also receive a horse brush to keep your horse clean and tidy with.
How to brush your horse in Red Dead Redemption 2
First, brushing your horse isn't just for show. Regular brushing will increase your bond with your horse, giving you access to special skills like rearing, skid turns and drifting. It doesn't cost anything, so brushing is one of the quickest low-touch ways to bond with your noble steed.
Second, when your horse is dirty it damages its stamina core, meaning it'll get tired more quickly. You'll know this is happening because a red brush indicator will start to flash inside the horse's stamina wheel.
Lastly, the horses in Red Dead Redemption 2 are super cute and look amazing - so brushing them is a great way to get up-close-and-personal to enjoy the animation of how they breathe and idle.
You can brush your horse both on horseback and on the ground.
On horseback:
- Hold the left shoulder button (L1 on PS4) to open the weapon wheel.
- Then press the right shoulder button (R1 on PS4) twice to get to the horse menu.
- Hold the right stick over to the right to highlight your brush, then release the left shoulder button to use the item. Repeat this process for feeding your horse, too.
On the ground:
- Move close to your horse and target it with the left trigger (L2 on PS4).
- Press left on the d-pad and you'll brush your horse.
- Keep pressing left to keep on brushing your horse continuously.
If you're new to Red Dead Redemption 2, then check out our guides on how to upgrade your bows and arrows, how to level up and use Dead Eye, where to find the best horse as well as our guide on how to change horses.
You can also check out our guide to the best weapons in Red Dead Redemption 2, and our complete Red Dead Redemption 2 walkthrough here.