One thing that has come up in a few discussions is the practicality of riding beasts in fantasy settings. It looks cool to have a character riding a cat, or an eagle, or a gelatinous cube, but seriously, there is a big difference between a magic saddle that keeps you from getting dissolved and a “smooth ride.”

Realistically Speaking

In fantasy, everything and anything makes for a cool steed. When even the slightest amount of science is added in, however, the list of possibilities is thinned considerably.

The problem is that while there have been several species of animals forced to carry humans as riders, very few are actually capable of doing so without injury.

Animals Currently Used as Riding Animals or Mounts

The Equines: Horses, ponies, donkeys, mules, and the occasional zebra are nothing new, and can be expanded to include mythical horse-like land beasts as well.

Elephants: Specifically Indian Elephants these days; African elephants were used in the past but are too unpredictable and dangerous.

Yaks: Yaks have been used to transverse mountain passes for trade and trekking expeditions. It is noted by owners that they will not eat grain and will starve unless they can be brought to grass.

Camels: Camels have been domesticated for thousands of years—up to six thousand for dromedaries and two thousand for bactrian.

Reindeer: Reindeer have been used as transport by Arctic and Subarctic peoples for centuries. They are not considered domesticated but are trainable.

Special Note

The Ostrich: Ostriches usually weigh from 63 to 130 kilograms (140–290 lb),with exceptional male Ostriches weighing up to 156.8 kilograms (346 lb). The Ostriches are ridden in the same way as horses with special saddles, reins, and bits. They are harder to manage than horses. But although they can be ridden, one person who once worked at an ostrich farm pointed out “Unlike mammals, birds have hollow bones. Excessive weight, such as that of a fat tourist breaks their bones. Basically, [the farm] chooses the birds that are to be slaughtered anyway. So the birds spend their last moments in agony with broken backs. Great for tourist photos. Not so great for the birds.”

Which Brings Us To, What you Really Can’t Do, IRL

There are many reasons why, in Real Life, you don’t choose any animal as a mount. Whatever the rider is riding, the person had better take the following into consideration:

The animal really shouldn’t be a carnivore: Otherwise, it will try and eat the human when it gets upset. If the animal being ridden is a carnivore, then add two levels of difficulty to maintaining control of the animal.

The animal must be a herd animal: This allows it to better handle being in close quarters with other animals for extended periods of time (either others of their own type or humans). Add one level of difficulty for non-herd animals (packs do count as herds…).

The animal’s social structure should include an Alpha hierarchy: This allows the human to take place of the leader of the herd. Some herd animals don't have this structure, and this would cause one level of difficulty for working with them. One example of a herd animal that has no leadership hierarchy is the donkey. While they can be ridden, they are difficult and stubborn because they do not see you as the leader. Add one level of difficulty to maintaining control.

The animal needs to have a relatively gentle disposition: The rhino would be awesome as an armored vehicle if it wouldn’t kill anything that tries to get near it. The zebra is another example. Add Another level of difficulty for ornery critters.

It’s the Size that Matters.

Here’s some math:

The average size of a modern horse is about 1200 lbs. The average size of a human fighter is about 180 lbs. That puts the meaningful ratio of horse/human at about 6.666. The average halfling is 32 lbs. Therefore, in order to get a solid mount capable of carrying everything, they'd need an animal over 200 lbs. Meanwhile a person would need an animal at least 1000 lb or more.

You don’t want something that large being carnivorous and within ten feet of you.

Other Animals that People have been Pictured Riding

Goats: In particular, smaller people have ridden goats as mounts. It is likely they are more steady that other mount, but could be considered ornery.

Giraffes: The giraffe has been seen accepting a bit and harness, and wearing a specially made saddle.

Lions: It is not recommended for the reasons seen below. But it is possible to a point.

Kangaroos: I’ve seen the photo, but I can’t imagine that the landing is comfortable for either the rider or the mount.

Turtles: Likely that the turtle can handle the load, but seriously, it’d be easier to walk.

Bears: Not a good idea. Very ornery (add two difficulties… at least.)

Pigs: Although possible, pigs have a horrid smell (it may just be me).

Weight… There’s More.

In real life you could not have a flying animal as a mount. A particularly large bird, a roc maybe) could possibly grasp a person in its claws and carry a full grown human for a while, but such a bird is likely to be carnivorous. In a fantasy setting, however….

O, the Possibilities…

Dinosaurs
Dragons
Felines
Griffon
Hippogriff
Horse/Unicorn/Pegasus
Lizard/Reptilian
Mech-beasts
Spiders
Wolves/Worgs
Whales
Racing snails

This is a small list of creatures that have been ridden in any number of fantasy settings. Just keep in mind the list provided above identifies the possible problems with riding one animal or another.

Obviously, in fantasy, there are many ways to get a ride on some unlikely critter that wants nothing more than to eat your face or intends to flee at the next opportunity. Another way to get past the problems with riding certain creatures is to establish in your world that the animal in question has been in an extensive program for several hundred years and is therefore capable of the above list. Even horses had to be bred for a few centuries before they became really good riding animals.

Consideration should also be made for the shape of the animal and how it will affect riding. Cats, for example. Their backs rise and fall dramatically as they run.  This may make them virtually unable to be ridden without damage to the rider and the mount.

Magic goes a long way in making this happen. Animals can be controlled to make them tamer, or force the animal to see the rider as the leader. Magic makes riding dragons seem like a good idea. Magic can create a saddle to ride on a gelatinous cube. Apparently. I am still unable to fathom.