Red Dead Redemption 2 (RDR2) is renowned not only for its compelling story and immersive open world but also for its detailed and beloved horse mechanics. The game features 19 distinct horse breeds, each with unique appearances and stats, and the modding community has expanded this variety significantly. Popular mods include ReaSylvia’s Horse Breeds Series, which adds new breeds and realistic revamps, and QuietYoungWolf’s Realistic Gang Horses and Realistic Cowboy Horses, which enhance the authenticity of the horses used by the Van Der Linde gang and introduce historically accurate breeds. Other mods improve gameplay by maxing out horse stats, adding realistic needs like hunger and thirst, or allowing unlimited horse whistling distance.

Additionally, several mods address aesthetic and functional details, such as the Horse Holster mod that fixes floating weapons by adding a physical holster to the saddle, and the Horse Lantern mod that brings a popular online feature to the single-player mode. The most downloaded horse-related mod, New Horse Coats by fouronenine14, offers over 30 new horse coat and breed packs, providing players with extensive customization options. These mods collectively enhance the realism, variety, and player experience of horseback riding in RDR2, catering to different preferences for difficulty, authenticity, and visual appeal.