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Message: <blockquote data-quote="smootrk" data-source="post: 3384876" data-attributes="member: 28583">One method I have used was modifying the die used for HD based on quality of the horse.Nag = d6 HDAverage = d8 HDSuperior = d6+2 per HDThoroughbred (best) = d4+4 per HDAdditionally, I generally allow mounts to gain experience at the rate of 1/2 of what the rider earns, but only when the mount is integral to a specific encounter.  Rationale:  the mount is learning, but is being guided by the character.  When XP justifies, I would allow the mount to advance or take an appropriate level... For instance Horses specifically trained for war, I would allow actual fighter levels, even though technically the animal is not awakened.  Riding horses would just advance with 'animal' levels.I use the same methodology on any bought critters/pets that do not fit with animal companion or familiar rules, as those use their own rules.  I even allow animal companions/paladin mounts to sometimes advance as well, but I wing it a little to make sure they don't get overly powerful too fast (but they are generally ahead of regular trained/bought creatures).An XP based system works well for this, as the players are more apt to use their mounts more to ensure the mounts get XP and advance, although you might simply hand-wave an advancement scheme to keep the critters proportional to the characters who are training/using them.</blockquote>