Lasso

The Lasso is a loop of rope that is designed to be thrown around a target and tighten when pulled.

The lasso is featured in Red Dead Redemption for catching and taming wild horses, and for lassoing escaping criminals, to hogtie criminals to take them to the local jail for a bounty reward, and sometimes, for the annoying pedestrian. You are also able to lasso criminals around the waist or feet and drag them while riding on your horse. Unfortunately, the player is unable to use the lasso while riding a train. The reasoning behind this is unknown (though it could be due to technical difficulties, which is why it was not included in multiplayer).

The Lasso is obtained during the mission Wild Horses, Tamed Passions.

Lassos cannot be used in multiplayer, possibly due to awkward and overpowered interactions it would cause between players.

Use
Using a lasso, aim and 'fire' it like any other weapon, though there is an important distinction: continue to hold the aim button, otherwise, the target will be released.

Aiming the lasso above the target extends the lasso range further than the auto-aim targeting allows.

Pressing the fire button (R2[PS3] & RT[xBox 360]) while still holding the aim button (L2[PS3] & LT[xBox 360]) to keep the lasso extended allows the player to reel in the rope, dragging the victim towards them. When trying to break horses, this can cause the horse to reer up, giving the player a few seconds to run up and mount it.

It can also be used in herding cattle when having trouble getting the cattle through the gates.