TL;DR
- Horses spawn in wild herds, with outlaws, at barns, or through Cowboy class selection
- Taming requires a saddle obtainable for 50 cash or found freely at barn locations
- Corner horses against trains or walls for successful saddle placement
- Watch for rare 1% Unicorn spawns worth 250 cash for significant profit
- Strategic horse use provides critical mobility advantages against all enemy types
In the treacherous landscape of Dead Rails, survival demands superior mobility as you navigate through hordes of transformed monsters including Zombies, Vampires, and Werewolves. Fortunately, equine companions remain unaffected by the supernatural plague, offering players reliable transportation to escape dangerous situations. Mastering horse acquisition represents a crucial gameplay element that significantly enhances your survival capabilities in this hostile environment.

These majestic creatures provide more than simple transportation—they become essential partners in your journey, capable of outrunning even the fastest pursuing enemies. Understanding spawn mechanics and taming procedures will transform your gameplay experience from constant danger to strategic dominance.
Equine companions appear through four primary methods within Dead Rails, each requiring different approaches for successful acquisition. Wild herds represent the most common spawning method, though their high-speed escape behavior makes capture challenging without proper preparation.
Hostile encounters provide alternative opportunities, as outlaws patrol railroad areas mounted on their steeds. Eliminating these enemies allows immediate claim of their mounts. Similarly, zombie soldiers stationed at Fort Construction offer equine rewards for players equipped to handle fortified defenses.

Barn locations serve as reliable horse sources, often containing both mounts and essential taming equipment. Additionally, selecting the Cowboy class during character creation provides immediate equine access, bypassing initial capture requirements entirely.
Pro Tip: Always scout barn areas thoroughly before engaging in combat elsewhere, as they frequently contain saddles that eliminate the 50 cash purchase requirement.
Successfully breaking wild horses demands strategic positioning and environmental manipulation. These creatures maintain impressive acceleration capabilities, easily outpacing players on foot without proper containment strategies.
The most effective approach involves herding targeted mounts against immovable obstacles like train cars or building walls. Once cornered, the taming process becomes straightforward with saddle application. Avoid open field attempts, as escape probabilities increase dramatically without containment barriers.

Rare Encounter Alert: Approximately 1% of wild spawns manifest as legendary Unicorns, distinguished by their distinctive horns and increased value. These exceptional creatures command 250 cash when sold, representing significant economic opportunity for observant players.
Combat-based acquisition from outlaws or zombie soldiers requires different preparation. Engage mounted enemies with precision weaponry to eliminate riders without harming their steeds. Shotguns and explosive devices often prove counterproductive, potentially damaging or spooking the animals you intend to claim.
Fort Construction raids demand substantial firepower and tactical planning. Coordinate with team members to divide attention between mounted zombie soldiers and stationary defenders. Successfully captured military horses occasionally demonstrate enhanced stamina compared to wild variants.
Saddles serve as the essential gateway to horse ownership, available through purchase or discovery pathways. General Stores stock this equipment for 50 cash, representing the most reliable acquisition method for players with sufficient currency.

Barn exploration frequently yields free saddles, eliminating financial barriers for resource-conscious players. Thoroughly search all storage areas and haylofts, as equipment placement often varies between locations. Consider our Weapons Unlock guide for optimal loadouts when raiding barns in contested territories.
Common Mistake: Many players attempt horse taming before securing saddles, wasting valuable time on unsuccessful interactions. Always verify saddle inventory before engaging capture attempts.

Once acquired, saddles remain permanently in your inventory for repeated use. Lost or deceased horses don’t consume saddles, allowing equipment reuse on new mounts. This inventory persistence makes initial saddle acquisition investments continually valuable throughout your gameplay experience.
Action Checklist
- Secure saddle through purchase (50 cash) or barn exploration
- Locate horse spawns: wild herds, outlaw patrols, barns, or Fort Construction
- Corner target horse against train or structure before saddle application
- Scan herds for rare Unicorn spawns (1% chance) for 250 cash profit
- Eliminate mounted enemies carefully to claim their steeds without animal injury
No reproduction without permission:Tsp Game Club » How to Get a Horse in Dead Rails Master horse taming and saddle acquisition strategies to dominate Dead Rails' monster-infested world
