Which horse?

[STNeish]

So, I've been playing for about a month, and I'm posting here for the first time, so GREETINGS!

 

I have a question, perhaps someone can enlighten me.  I have the Red Chestnut Arabian horse.  It was the best horse I could get at the time, and there was no competition.  However, I'm finding myself a bit frustrated with the horse, as it seems to get spooked if a leaf blows across the road.  I can't count the number of times I've been dumped on the ground so a cougar or pack of wolves can jump on me (they appear, the horse STOPS despite my pressing the accelerate button, then rears up and throws me on the ground).  I suppose there's logic in that last, the horse doesn't need to outrun the predators, just ME.

 

So, I now have sufficient funds to get a better horse, but I'm not sure which to go with.  I'd LIKE something that's fast (since chasing pronghorns is hard on anything less than the Arabian, I think they all have rocket assist), but that isn't going to throw me on the ground every time the wind changes.

 

I have access to the Kladruber, so I've been considering that... but I'm not sure.  I'll also miss the red chestnut steed, she's SO beautiful with that metallic red hair.  So... any suggestions?

[No Homing]

Video from @aFinn

 

[STNeish]

I should also mention, I'm L55 now, with about $1500 to spend.  I have access to the Collector and Trader horses.

5 minutes ago, No Homing said:

Video from @aFinn

 

Well, that's impressive.  I wonder if the same thing would happen if I was on my Hunting Wagon?

[Direwrath]

If you want speed go with at least a second level Kladruber but you will need a good saddle combination to give them a bit of oomph for a good start. I have both the black and the cremello coat and both are pretty brave, gunfights aren't a problem, they won't stop mid stride just to throw you when being chased by a cougar, and mine haven't given much argument when I steady them to shoot at a charging bear. Although snakes tend to spook them a bit longer than some of my other horses. The black one isn't a rocket out of the gate but if you are looking for a sturdy animal not scared of it's own shadow and not a hot blooded race horse they both are good to have. I actually enjoy both of mine for casual riding.

 

These are their stats at max bonding, I have a straight saddle with high level stirrups on the cremello and the black coat has the Beaver Roping saddle on.

 

 

[No Homing]

36 minutes ago, STNeish said:

I should also mention, I'm L55 now, with about $1500 to spend.  I have access to the Collector and Trader horses.

Well, that's impressive.  I wonder if the same thing would happen if I was on my Hunting Wagon?

Predators don't attack any wagon.

[CosmicBuffalo]

 

Horse doesnt matter...just pick the one you like and get nago saddle with best stirrups.

Edited May 7, 2020 by CosmicBuffalo

[STNeish]

Does the saddle make a difference?  I'm using the Collector saddle (I like the doodads on it) and saddlebags, and the best stirrups I could get.  I gather that increases the speed and how quickly the horse tires... but does it affect the bravery?

1 hour ago, No Homing said:

Predators don't attack any wagon.

Does this mean... Could I go hunting grizzlies or cougars on the hunting wagon and be essentially invulnerable?

[No Homing]

16 minutes ago, STNeish said:

Does the saddle make a difference?  I'm using the Collector saddle (I like the doodads on it) and saddlebags, and the best stirrups I could get.  I gather that increases the speed and how quickly the horse tires... but does it affect the bravery?

Does this mean... Could I go hunting grizzlies or cougars on the hunting wagon and be essentially invulnerable?

I don't think there's much that affects the bravery, other than the type of horse. But I could be wrong. Most horses are pussies when it comes to predators (even though predators never attack your horse) (EDIT: by that I mean they won't physically harm your horse, they'll still lurk at your feet, unlike with a wagon)

 

Yes, but they'll run away from you and the hunting wagon isn't very suitable for giving chase, especially through rough terrain, so you'll have to be quick on the draw to avoid a chase.

Edited May 7, 2020 by No Homing

[Direwrath]

1 minute ago, STNeish said:

Does the saddle make a difference?  I'm using the Collector saddle (I like the doodads on it) and saddlebags, and the best stirrups I could get.  I gather that increases the speed and how quickly the horse tires... but does it affect the bravery?

Nope, the saddle doesn't change the horse's manner if it's a skittish one. One thing I've learned, and this only works if what the horse is spooked about isn't a cougar or a gator, is to release the reins a little and keep the horse moving. In gunfights I will turn my horse in circles, if I'm shooting at a predator (not the cougar) I let the horse bolt a distance and slow them down but don't stop them and turn them back before I shoot. Horses feel safer when they are moving, now I don't know if this is R* intent, that they made the horses in game similar to their real counterparts. Also the horses seem to have different behaviors even from a similar horse of the same breed, my little sorrel paint collector Criollo mare is a brave little thing. But my husband, who bought the bay Criollo paint, has trouble with his running miles away from a gunfight, and every predator makes that horse throw him. Maybe it's because I baby my horses every second and their behavior towards me is different? Another little horse that was less likely to spook was the varnish roan appaloosa, that horse stood firm when wolves were at her legs and I was trying to shoot them. Didn't buck me off once when a cougar came at her, and she was fast, her stats were also some of the best. She was just so small and my guy just looked so huge when he was in the saddle. 

[STNeish]

Good to know.  I do a lot of hunting deer from the wagon, sniping at range, but one of my favourite areas is plagued by grizzlies.  If I can be safe from them on the wagon, I'll feel SO much better.

 

I've been reading some comments elsewhere, and there seems to be no consensus regarding steed temperament.  Some say the type of horse is important, some say it isn't, that it's just random.  Others say it's down to the rider.  I'm still not sure what to think.

[Hiply]

Well, I have access to every horse except the Bretons and...

I am surprisingly and completely sold on the Norfolk Roadsters.  I thought I would have the common Arabian complaint; fast but twitchy.  It has not at all been the case with either the rank 10 or rank 20 versions.  The R20 has stood up to charges from wolfpacks without blinking and has taken a full on charge from a Grizzly that didn't die until it its corpse skidded to a stop so close to me that I dismounted and skinned it without taking a step.

It's only thrown me once when charged by cougars, but it has reared.  Oh well, it's a freaking cougar!  Snakes and gators elicit the usual nervous responses...but no rearing or trying to throw me.

With the  Nacogdoches saddle and hooded stirrups he's fast as the dickens and you have to really work at draining his stamina. 

Edited May 7, 2020 by Hiply

[STNeish]

So... I'm trying the Klad, the introductory white one.  Gorgeous horse... but pretty skittish, even at level 3 bonding.  Every time I fire my gun she jumps and complains, and when I hop off, immediately runs away (even if there's no noise or anything).

 

I picked it because it's a Trader specific horse, and figured it would be more accustomed to having gunshots and such nearby... as Traders are going to be doing hunting...  I guess not, at least not the first level ones.

I'll try the Cirollo, but the dun colour is so boring!

In any case, I'll report back here whatever I discover.

[No Homing]

33 minutes ago, STNeish said:

So... I'm trying the Klad, the introductory white one.  Gorgeous horse... but pretty skittish, even at level 3 bonding.  Every time I fire my gun she jumps and complains, and when I hop off, immediately runs away (even if there's no noise or anything).

 

I picked it because it's a Trader specific horse, and figured it would be more accustomed to having gunshots and such nearby... as Traders are going to be doing hunting...  I guess not, at least not the first level ones.

I'll try the Cirollo, but the dun colour is so boring!

In any case, I'll report back here whatever I discover.

I think the top tier ones are always the best.

[aFinn]

1 hour ago, STNeish said:

I'll try the Cirollo, but the dun colour is so boring!

 

 

My friend Angel found the Criollo Dun, female one and like I displayed in the video, it is really brave with predators. With Nagocdoches saddle and best stirrups the speed is decent also.

Always with any horse, keep it always moving and occasionally press down left thumbstick to calm it down when near predators

 

 

9 hours ago, Direwrath said:

 my little sorrel paint collector Criollo mare is a brave little thing. But my husband, who bought the bay Criollo paint, 

varnish roan appaloosa,

 

Is your husband's Bay male or female?

Which Appaloose you mean? There is Blanket, Leopard, Leopard Blanket and Brown Leopard

 

My friend had Brown Leopard at some point and that was pretty good with alligators

[empressofthenorth]

I use a mustang when I'm hunting.  I think it's the bravest around predators of all my horses just not the fastest.

[Caysle]

Like @CosmicBuffalo said horse stats don't matter as long as you have naco saddle with hooded stirrups. they are probably bugged. press g or r3 if controller to replenish stamina when needed, you can also use that to calm your horse when it's agitated. tbh most of the horses seem to have similar timidity levels, though my male white shire horse is less of a chickensh*t than my female dark bay turkoman. I think you'll be fine anyway if you just get any horse you like with correct saddle stirrup combo

[AmyStone]

I've had a Black Arabian ever since I was able to afford it and can't standing riding anything else.

[Direwrath]

7 hours ago, aFinn said:

Is your husband's Bay male or female?

Which Appaloose you mean? There is Blanket, Leopard, Leopard Blanket and Brown Leopard

 

My friend had Brown Leopard at some point and that was pretty good with alligators

He got the stallion, I tend to go with mares myself they can be moodier and more vocal but they aren't as skittish in my experience. I have two stallions in my stable, the black Klad who is actually rather tame I like to say he's a gelding even when the bits are there, but my bay Turk stallion is very hot blooded and he's always willing to prove it. Funny thing is that he's my favorite horse. The Appy I was talking about was the last tier varnish roan/brown leopard, that horse was probably the best horse I ever had and if she wasn't so small I would have kept her. Named her Weevil just because she was so cute and for some reason the name fit. That horse wasn't scared of anything, snakes would make her snort but anything else she never put up a fuss. 

Edited May 7, 2020 by Direwrath

[aFinn]

4 minutes ago, Direwrath said:

He got the stallion, I tend to go with mares myself they can be moodier and more vocal but they aren't as skittish in my experience.

 

I've always had just males as I wouldn't like to have a female horse with bits hanging out cause of the glitch, lol. But I will try out from now on having females, if and when I'll get a new horse. At the moment not too many options. I like to have at least 9 speed, with 8 being the limit. With my alternate account I've had a couple 6 speed horses in the beginning but they have been discarded or left in stables now.

[Direwrath]

30 minutes ago, aFinn said:

 

I've always had just males as I wouldn't like to have a female horse with bits hanging out cause of the glitch, lol. But I will try out from now on having females, if and when I'll get a new horse. At the moment not too many options. I like to have at least 9 speed, with 8 being the limit. With my alternate account I've had a couple 6 speed horses in the beginning but they have been discarded or left in stables now.

Lol, yeah that can get frustrating. I like to joke that my mares can have more balls than my character at times.

 

9 hours ago, STNeish said:

So... I'm trying the Klad, the introductory white one.  Gorgeous horse... but pretty skittish, even at level 3 bonding.  Every time I fire my gun she jumps and complains, and when I hop off, immediately runs away (even if there's no noise or anything).

 

I picked it because it's a Trader specific horse, and figured it would be more accustomed to having gunshots and such nearby... as Traders are going to be doing hunting...  I guess not, at least not the first level ones.

I'll try the Cirollo, but the dun colour is so boring!

In any case, I'll report back here whatever I discover.

Keep her moving and give her a good pat when you jump into the saddle and when she's needs reassurance, lol, I know it sounds funny but I can ride my husband's pain in the butt horses without having his problems and I think it's because I show them a little more love. They do like to yell at you for throwing them into a gun fight though.

 

Believe it or not the high level Roadsters (moonshine horses) are fast for being as big as they are, I have both the paint and the dappled buckskin and with the right saddle they are as fast as both of my Turks. Nice big, fast horses that can take a corner without a problem and aren't as skittish as many of the other speedsters. With the Nacodoche saddle on they're at the highest level of speed and I think at lvl 9 for acceleration. I don't know why the colorful saddles have to be the nicest ones, I prefer something less tacky. Although on some of the horse coats those saddles do look fancy.

[STNeish]

My goal has been to have one sizable pure white horse, to match my Lone Ranger outfit (yeah, yeah, so sue me, I'm old), and then my regular horse for everything else I do.  I love the red chestnut arabian, it's so beautiful, but it's so skittish, and has repeatedly fed me to the wolves (literally).  As I said before, quick but willing to tolerate the presence of predators is really all I need.

 

I can't get the Nagodoches saddle, it's just so fugly.  For me, it's the collector saddle all the way (McKinley?  Something like that), though I'm uncertain just what effect it has.

[Direwrath]

58 minutes ago, STNeish said:

My goal has been to have one sizable pure white horse, to match my Lone Ranger outfit (yeah, yeah, so sue me, I'm old), and then my regular horse for everything else I do.  I love the red chestnut arabian, it's so beautiful, but it's so skittish, and has repeatedly fed me to the wolves (literally).  As I said before, quick but willing to tolerate the presence of predators is really all I need.

 

I can't get the Nagodoches saddle, it's just so fugly.  For me, it's the collector saddle all the way (McKinley?  Something like that), though I'm uncertain just what effect it has.

Nothing wrong with that, in story mode I bought the dapple palomino and called him Trigger. Kind of a homage to my grandpa, he was a gunsmith and worked on quite a few of Roy Roger's guns.  That collector saddle is really cool with all of the doo dads hanging off of it and it does give some perks but I don't think it's as much as that fancy saddle, the gator, cougar, or the beaver roping saddle. Although the collector saddlebag does allow you to carry seven outfits on your horse instead of the five that some of the upgraded ones do. But I do agree, that Naco saddle is not the prettiest thing, and it's far too flashy for my character. I'm trying to keep him away from that pompous pretty boy look and that saddle just does not help matters any. My Beaver roping saddle isn't too flashy, but it's just so Mountain man that it doesn't fit with him either although the stats are great. And the other special saddles are more for a hunter type character I feel. The saddle I actually like is the Lumley Mclelland saddle it's just simple enough and doesn't cover so much of the horse's coat. Which is great for the painted horses so you can see more of their markings.

[FuturePastNow]

On 5/6/2020 at 9:03 PM, CosmicBuffalo said:

 

Horse doesnt matter...just pick the one you like and get nago saddle with best stirrups.

This mirrors my experience with horses. Get the horse you like the looks of and give it the best saddle and stirrups. The difference in speed and "handling" between the fastest and slowest horse is negligible and those stats are not worth consideration. Health and stamina are slightly more important- but stamina is totally negated by the Nacogdoches saddle or by an occasional pat and horse stimulant. I do recommend a stamina of at least half the circle as that lets you swim to some of the small islands off the coast without using horse drugs, and health of at least half the circle if you don't want to revive the dumb animal after every tumble.

 

There are at most two horse personalities/temperaments and even that may just be cosmetic. Just start patting the horse as soon as it sees a wolf or snake and it should be fine. They're all going to buck you if a cougar gets right behind them.

Edited May 8, 2020 by FuturePastNow

[Bi9Daddy68]

39 minutes ago, FuturePastNow said:

They're all going to buck you if a cougar gets right behind them.

Uhh...Watch the video, he circles the cougar many times, no Cirilo reaction.

[C.E.Bolton]

Out of my nine horses.. ive recently gone back to my plain-er looking Tennessee Walker... i think i was just getting bored with the flash. He feels braver than i originally remember and with the Naka sadle and best stirrups that arent hooded... hes suprisingly quick. 

[STNeish]

So, I did pick up the Cirollo Dun, a female (I named her Athena), and I'll confirm, she's a brave girl.  Going looking for a cave in the mountains, we were confronted by a charging grizzly, and she STOOD HER GROUND while I shot it down, even at level 1 bonding.

 

She's a good girl.

 

Oh, and an amusing anecdote...  After our grizzly encounter, I took the hide and stored it on Athena.  We later rode to a lake where I was fishing while the horse stood nearby.  Unknown to me, a group of wolves happened upon us, and the horse ran away, dumping the hide on the ground.  I turned and while dealing with the wolves, another player rode up, grabbed the hide, put it on his horse and rode off.

 

I was miffed, but it was only a poor hide.  Some people.

Edited May 9, 2020 by STNeish

[STNeish]

Well, colour me disappointed.

 

Up by Brandywine Drop, looking for a treasure chest, riding my Cirollo, Athena.  Cougar wanders out into the road, close, but some distance away.  It covers that distance in the time it took for me to draw my shotgun (I have it bound to #3, for quick drawing), and my horse immediately rears up and dumps me on the ground in front of the cougar.  So disappointing, it's nearly impossible to survive an encounter with a predator if my steed is always going to drop me on the ground the second it appears.

[Sundevil]

When I see a predator, I immediately get my horse moving. They are much less likely to buck you if they are moving. Next, while still moving, I calm it a couple of times. Then I draw my weapon and circle around to line up my shot on the predator. Takes a little practice and kinda goes against your initial instinct to draw your weapon first, but it’s much more likely to result in you not being bucked.

[Officer Friendly]

On 5/7/2020 at 10:27 AM, empressofthenorth said:

I use a mustang when I'm hunting.  I think it's the bravest around predators of all my horses just not the fastest.

I ride the tiger bay mustang and it will not flinch for anything, same for my Hungarian half bred. Only two horses I need though I occasionally ride my amber fox trotter when out in the city.

[STNeish]

9 hours ago, Sundevil said:

When I see a predator, I immediately get my horse moving. They are much less likely to buck you if they are moving. Next, while still moving, I calm it a couple of times. Then I draw my weapon and circle around to line up my shot on the predator. Takes a little practice and kinda goes against your initial instinct to draw your weapon first, but it’s much more likely to result in you not being bucked.

That could be my problem, my first reaction was to draw.