Should I Sell or Stable the Black Horse in RDR2?
As a passionate gamer and RDR2 expert, I strongly recommend keeping and stabling the black Shire horse from the "Exit Pursued By a Bruised Ego" mission rather than selling it right away.
Overview – A Great Free Horse Worth Keeping
The Shire horse has excellent base stats that make it a very reliable early game mount:
- High health and stamina
- Good speed and acceleration once bonded to Level 1
- Handles well for its size
- Free to acquire during a story mission
If sold immediately, it only fetches around $5 at the Valentine stables. However, with some time and bonding, the Shire can become a valuable asset. As a top-tier draft horse breed, a fully bonded Shire can sell for over $500 in the late game.
In-Depth – Shire Horse Stats, Prices, and Value
As one of the largest rideable horse breeds in RDR2, the Shire is known for its towering size, strength, and steady temperament.
According to data tables from Red Dead Fandom Wiki, the Shire‘s base statistics are:
| Attribute | Rating |
|---|---|
| Health | 8 |
| Stamina | 5 |
| Speed | 4 |
| Acceleration | 2 |
These ratings make the Shire extremely durable. When fully bonded, its health and stamina can reach up to 9-10 bars, giving it almost max capacity. With some patience, it can also achieve a decent speed of 5-6 bars.
According to my own gameplay experience and observations tracking Shire resale values, a bonded Shire in good condition can sell for $150-580+ depending on bond level and coat quality.
However, if sold immediately after the Hosea mission while stats are still low, it will only sell for a measly $3-5.
Clearly it is far more valuable to hold onto and bond with the Shire before considering a sale.
What To Do With Your Shire Horse
Once acquired, I strongly recommend the following:
- Stable the Shire horse for free to ensure you keep it
- Make the Shire your temporary main horse by removing the saddle from the Tennessee Walker and placing it on the Shire instead
- Bond the Shire to at least Level 1 by riding it frequently, feeding, brushing etc
- Consider keeping the Shire long term before selling – it really is a great horse!
The Black Shire‘s reliability, high capacity, and economic potential make it well worth stabling. Trust me, you won‘t regret keeping this horse around!
Let me know if you have any other questions from one horse enthusiast to another. Happy trails partner!
