Riding through the vast landscapes of Bohemia in Kingdom Come: Deliverance can be both thrilling and dangerous. Whether you’re evading enemies, racing between towns, or transporting heavy loot, your horse quickly becomes one of your most valuable assets. The Horsemanship skill in KCD offers a wide range of perks to enhance your riding experience, from improving your speed and stamina to making your mount more durable or better at carrying goods. Choosing the best Horsemanship perks can significantly impact your gameplay, and understanding which ones are most effective is essential for any aspiring knight or traveler.
Understanding the Horsemanship Skill in KCD
What Is Horsemanship?
Horsemanship is one of the main skills in Kingdom Come: Deliverance that governs your ability to ride, care for, and control horses. The more you ride and interact with your horse, the more experience you gain, allowing you to unlock powerful perks. As your level increases, you’ll be able to customize your riding style and improve your mount’s performance in combat, travel, and utility.
How Horsemanship Perks Work
Every few levels of Horsemanship grant you access to perks. These perks can offer passive benefits such as reduced stamina drain or increased speed, or active abilities like boosting your horse’s carrying capacity. Some perks have branching paths, forcing you to choose between two options. Selecting the best horsemanship perks depends on your playstyle whether you prioritize combat, stealth, trade, or exploration.
Top Horsemanship Perks Worth Choosing
Heavy Duty Pony
For players who constantly haul loot, armor, or supplies, Heavy Duty Pony is a must-have. This perk increases the carrying capacity of your horse, allowing you to transport more goods without getting overburdened. It’s especially useful if you loot heavily after battles or plan on doing a lot of trading.
- Perk Level: Available at Horsemanship Level 4
- Why it’s great: More storage means fewer trips back to town or storage chests.
Racehorse
If speed is your priority, Racehorse is a top-tier pick. This perk boosts your horse’s top speed, making it perfect for quickly traveling across the map or escaping danger. Whether you’re trying to reach an objective faster or outrun bandits, this perk keeps you moving swiftly.
- Perk Level: Available at Horsemanship Level 4 (choose between this and Heavy Duty Pony)
- Why it’s great: Essential for quick getaways or time-sensitive missions.
Fast Striker
Combat on horseback is already a huge advantage in KCD, but Fast Striker makes it even better. With this perk, you can strike faster while mounted, giving you a better chance to deal damage before your enemies can react. It’s ideal for players who regularly engage enemies on horseback, especially in open areas.
- Perk Level: Available at Horsemanship Level 5
- Why it’s great: Gives an edge in mounted combat by speeding up attack animations.
Jockey
The Jockey perk increases the horse’s agility and makes your mount harder to knock down or spook. This is useful in rough terrain or crowded battles where your horse might stumble or panic. It also makes tight maneuvers easier, which helps when navigating forests, towns, or narrow paths.
- Perk Level: Available at Horsemanship Level 7
- Why it’s great: Enhances control and stability during rides and battles.
Strong Thighs
This perk reduces stamina loss while riding. It’s especially helpful if you spend a lot of time galloping from one town to another or need to travel long distances. Less stamina drain means you can travel faster without constantly slowing down, making it one of the most useful passive perks.
- Perk Level: Available at Horsemanship Level 9
- Why it’s great: Boosts long-distance travel efficiency by conserving stamina.
Horsenip
Horsenip increases the regeneration speed of your horse’s stamina. Combined with perks like Strong Thighs, this makes your horse incredibly efficient at sustained high-speed travel. It’s perfect for those who love to gallop across the countryside without constant stops.
- Perk Level: Available at Horsemanship Level 10
- Why it’s great: Keeps your horse in motion longer without tiring.
Specialized Perks for Specific Playstyles
For Traders and Looters
If you’re someone who collects loot, sells goods, or frequently moves large quantities of items, focus on these perks:
- Heavy Duty Pony Boosts inventory weight capacity.
- Strong Thighs Lets you ride for longer without tiring.
- Horsenip Keeps your mount’s stamina up.
This combo allows you to travel further and carry more, making you more efficient in commerce and dungeon looting.
For Combat-Oriented Players
Mounted combat can be powerful, and if that’s your style, these perks are ideal:
- Fast Striker Increases your attack speed.
- Jockey Improves horse control and resilience in battle.
- Racehorse Great for charging enemies or fleeing quickly.
These perks ensure your horse is both a platform and a weapon, giving you an upper hand in open-field battles.
For Explorers and Travelers
If you enjoy roaming the open world and discovering new places, then stamina and speed matter most:
- Racehorse Maximizes travel speed.
- Strong Thighs Reduces stamina use for longer rides.
- Horsenip Enhances recovery for long journeys.
This build is perfect for those constantly on the move and looking to explore every corner of Bohemia.
Tips for Maximizing Horsemanship
Ride Often
The best way to level up Horsemanship is by riding your horse as much as possible. Use your mount for travel instead of fast travel, and engage in mounted combat when you can. The more time spent riding, the faster your experience grows.
Choose the Right Horse
Perks help a lot, but having the right horse makes a huge difference. Look for horses with high speed, stamina, and capacity stats that match your preferred playstyle. Combining a strong horse with the best horsemanship perks creates a powerful synergy.
Use Saddle Bags and Armor
Upgrading your horse’s gear, such as adding saddlebags or horse armor, increases its functionality. Saddle bags boost carrying capacity while armor increases durability during combat. Pair these upgrades with the right perks to get the most out of your mount.
The Horsemanship skill in Kingdom Come: Deliverance is much more than just a way to ride faster. It opens up a full range of strategic advantages in travel, combat, and trade. By carefully selecting the best horsemanship perks, you can tailor your gameplay to suit your goals and maximize efficiency. Whether you’re galloping into battle or hauling loot across Bohemia, mastering your horse and investing in the right perks can turn your four-legged companion into a true battlefield ally and a vital part of your adventure.