Upgrading your horse and enhancing your riding skills in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is a rewarding experience, allowing players to improve their gameplay while exploring the rich world of the game. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to achieve these upgrades effectively:

Upgrading Your Horse

Using Pebbles
Pebbles, your starting horse, is a fantastic choice for upgrades, potentially becoming one of the best steeds in the game. Here’s how to make the most of Pebbles:

1. Unlock the Good Old Pebbles Perk:
– This key perk boosts Pebbles’ stats significantly. To unlock it, you need to ride Pebbles for approximately 30 to 40 kilometers without utilizing fast travel.
– This perk becomes available around level 14 of the Horsemanship skill, usually midway through the main story[2].

2. Monitor Your Progress:
– To track how far you’ve ridden on horseback, access the Statistics screen from your player menu. This allows you to keep an eye on your kilometers traveled[2].

3. Continuous Riding:
– Regularly riding Pebbles helps in unlocking the Good Old Pebbles perk quicker. The more time you spend in the saddle, the faster you’ll see your progress[2].

Equipping Your Horse
Improving Pebbles can also be achieved through gear upgrades:

1. Saddles and Harnesses:
– These items enhance your horse’s carrying capacity as well as overall performance during lengthy journeys[5].

2. Bridles:
– A good bridle can improve control and maneuverability, making it easier to navigate tricky terrain[5].

3. Horseshoes:
– Equipping better horseshoes increases your horse’s durability and minimizes wear, ensuring they perform well over time[5].

4. Special Items:
– Keep an eye out for unique horseshoes or specialized gear from events or merchants, as they can have added benefits[5].

Purchasing Better Horses
If you decide that upgrading Pebbles is not your path, you can purchase superior horses. Look for Horse Trader merchants marked on your map, where you can find a variety of horses for sale[3].

Improving Riding Skills

1. Horsemanship Skill:
– This skill is essential to enhance your riding capabilities. It levels up naturally through horse riding and participating in horse-related activities[2].

2. Practicing with Pebbles:
– Consistently riding Pebbles not only helps in unlocking the Good Old Pebbles perk but also serves to develop your Horsemanship skill over time[2].

3. Advanced Riding Techniques:
– As you level up your Horsemanship, you’ll gain access to advanced maneuvers and horse management skills, greatly improving your overall horseback performance[5].

Tips for Efficient Progression

– Avoid Fast Travel: Riding manually (highly encouraged) contributes significantly to your skill and perk progression, making it vital for growth.

– Explore the Map: Use Pebbles to wander the game’s vast landscape. This not only aids in upgrading your skills but also allows you to discover new areas[2].

– Regularly Check Stats: Utilizing the Statistics screen will help you gauge your progress and refine your focus for future rides[2].

By following this structured guide, players can effectively enhance their riding skills and upgrade their horses in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, leading to a more immersive and enjoyable experience in the game. Whether you choose to stick with Pebbles or invest in a new horse, your journey through the game world will be enriched significantly through these mechanics.