Red Dead Redemption 2 – How to Brush Your Horse

In Red Dead Redemption 2, Arthur isn’t the only one you’ll have to keep clean. Your horse is just as capable of getting dirty, and unlike Arthur, a horse can’t take a bath on its own. Cleaning and brushing your horse will strengthen your bond and unlock several benefits, so you’ll want to make sure you keep your horse well groomed. Below, we’ll explain how to clean and brush your horse in Red Dead Redemption 2.

How to Get a Horse Brush

Before you can go about brushing and cleaning your horse, you must first obtain a Horse Brush, which you will receive at the end of the mission titled “Exit Pursued by a Bruised Ego.” This mission is available in Chapter 2 after the gang pitches camp (this quest also leads you toward a legendary grizzly bear that is worth pursuing). Play through to the end of the mission to obtain the Horse Brush.  

How to Clean a Dirty Horse

While your horse can’t take a trip to the local bathhouse with you, it can go for a dip in a body of water to clean off any dirt or mud it has accumulated. Just find a relatively deep lake or pond that can cover most of your horse, then lead or ride the horse through the water to rinse the dirt off.

Brushing Your Horse

Your other option for keeping your horse clean is to brush it regularly. To brush your horse in Red Dead Redemption 2, simply walk up to the horse and press LT/L2 to bring up the interactions menu, then select left on the directional pad to begin brushing your horse. Once you have unlocked the Horse Brush mentioned above, you can brush your horse at stables or while exploring the countryside in Red Dead Redemption 2.

Try to make it a habit to brush and groom your horse in Red Dead Redemption 2, as this will help increase your bond and unlock new perks. Head over to our complete horse care guide to learn more about horse maintenance in Red Dead Redemption 2.