In Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, your horse is far more than just a way to get from town to town. It’s your mobile inventory, your lifeline during combat, your escape plan when things go wrong, and—if you invest the time—a loyal companion that grows stronger alongside you.
Updated for the latest 2025 patches and DLC, this complete guide covers everything you need to know:
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How to get your first horse (for free)
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Whether stealing or buying a horse is worth it
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How hidden bonding perks turn early mounts into endgame beasts
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The best purchasable horses
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And the new horse racing and mounted archery content added in recent updates
Whether you’re a trader hauling loot across Bohemia or a knight charging into battle, choosing the right horse makes a massive difference.
The Loyalty Bonus: Why You Shouldn’t Ditch Your First Horse
Don’t rush to replace your starter mount.
Both Pebbles and Herring secretly gain powerful bonding perks after you ride them long enough. Once unlocked, these hidden bonuses can transform these free horses into top-tier mounts that rival—or even surpass—the most expensive horses in the game.
This system rewards patience and exploration, making horse choice a meaningful long-term decision rather than a quick upgrade.
How to Acquire a Horse: Free, Stolen, or Bought
There are multiple paths to horse ownership in KCD2, each with its own benefits, drawbacks, and role-playing flavor.
| Method | How It Works | Key Considerations & Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Free – Reclaim Pebbles | Travel to Semine (southwest of Troskowitz). Find Groom Ballatay and convince him to return your prologue horse. | Pass a Speech/Intimidation check for free, or pay ~160 Groschen. The easiest early permanent mount. |
| Free – Story Reward (Herring) | Progress the main quest past “For Whom The Bell Tolls.” Kabat at Trosky Castle offers Herring. | Better base stats than Pebbles. Accepting replaces your current horse, which is sent back to its stable. |
| Steal a Horse | Mount unattended horses (e.g., Vidlak Pond or bandit camps). | Temporary. To keep it permanently, take it to Horse Handler Mikolai at the Nomads’ Camp and pay ~50% value. |
| Purchase a Horse | Buy from grooms in Semine, Kuttenberg, Maleshov, or Grund. Inspect stats with X before buying. | Costs ~1,500–4,000+ Groschen. You can trade in your current horse for a discount. |
🐎 Understanding Horse Stats & Gear
Every horse in KCD2 is defined by four core stats:
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Speed – How fast the horse can gallop
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Carrying Capacity – Determines saddlebag storage (vital for looters)
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Stamina – How long the horse can sprint before tiring
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Courage – Resistance to spooking and bucking you off in danger
Horse Gear Matters
You can modify these stats with horse tack:
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Saddles: Increase capacity but may reduce speed
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Bridles: Improve handling and control
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Horseshoes: Can boost stamina and gallop efficiency
Balancing gear is key—max capacity setups aren’t always ideal for combat or racing.
Best Horses in KCD2: Stats, Locations & Hidden Power
The “best” horse depends on your priorities: raw speed, balanced stats, or long-term growth.
Top Purchasable Horses (2025 /2026)
| Horse Name | Location | Specialty | Approx. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kincsem | Kuttenberg (Hanniker) | Speed & Stamina | ~2,960 Groschen |
| Pisek Lad | Kuttenberg (Hanniker) | Best All-Rounder | ~4,250 Groschen |
| Erdel | Maleshov (Hashtal) | Highest Base Capacity | ~3,570 Groschen |
| Kasztanka | Maleshov (Hashtal) | High Speed & Courage | ~2,720 Groschen |
Prices vary depending on reputation and barter skill.
The True Endgame Horses: Free Bonding Perks
The strongest horses in the game don’t cost a single Groschen—but they do require commitment.
| Horse | How to Get | Hidden Perk | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pebbles+ | Reclaim in Semine | Good Old Pebbles | After ~35 km ridden, Speed & Capacity skyrocket |
| Herring+ | Story reward | Red Herring | After ~50 km ridden, gains massive speed boost |
🔹 Important: These perks are distance-based, not quest-based. Just ride, explore, and travel to unlock them.
New for 2025: Horse Racing & Mounted Archery
Patch 1.3 introduced major new horse-focused content.
Where to Go
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Nomads’ Camp in the Trosky region
New Activities
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Cross-country horse races
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Mounted archery competitions
New Quest: Magic Horseshoes
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Start at the Saddler in Semine
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Obtain special Spiked Horseshoes
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Can be stolen or forged depending on your playstyle
💡 Performance Tip:
If you experience stutter during races, lower Vegetation Detail or Volumetric Effects in graphics settings.
Horse Management & Advanced Riding Tips
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Controls (PC):
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X – Call/Dismount
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E – Mount
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Shift – Speed up
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Ctrl – Slow down
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Road Following:
On roads, your horse auto-follows paths—perfect for hands-free travel. -
Stamina Management:
Over-spurring after stamina depletion will cause your horse to buck you off. Recent patches improved stamina UI feedback. -
Improved Horse AI:
Updates have fixed pathing, ownership, and quest-related horse bugs for a smoother experience overall.
Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Horse for Your Journey
Your ideal horse depends on your playstyle.
Do you enjoy the slow satisfaction of bonding with a free mount that grows into a legend?
Or do you prefer the instant power of a high-end purchased horse?
Whichever path you choose, a reliable steed is essential for surviving—and thriving—in the dangerous, beautiful world of Bohemia.
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