Your interpretation seems to imply that horses cannot charge without attacking (which isn't correct). The rules say:KarinsDad said:You can charge with a war-trained mount and get its attacks as well. You cannot do this with a non-war-trained mount. The non-war-trained mount can move and you can attack, but it cannot charge and have you attack.
Charging is listed under the special attacks section, so, the non-war-trained mount cannot charge because it cannot attack while ridden.
"Charging is a special full-round action that allows you to move up to twice your speed and attack during the action."
"After moving, you may make a single melee attack."
I believe I understand why you concluded that a charge without attacking is still considered an attack for the horse, but I do not share that interpretation (and it's different from the reason given by franktheDM anyway). Your interpretation means that a mounted character would have to make a "Fight with warhorse" roll anytime they charge, even if the horse didn't make an attack as well. I have never seen anyone play this way, and I don't believe that is what the rules imply. Charging without your mount attacking (so that you don't have to make the extra roll to allow them to also attack) is fairly commonplace, and is the only way I've seen a ride-by attack handled (since the 3.5 FAQ says "The rider’s Ride-By Attack feat won’t help the mount attack")
I'm unsure that was his point. Also, I'm unsure if your point was that it's difficult to meet the minimum speed with barding (which doesn't seem to be the case), or that it's difficult to meet the minimum speed when charging (which ride-by solves, and everyone with spirited charge already has ride-by.)For average and lower maneuverable creatures, the Minimum Forward Speed is half. If the creature is encumbered by medium or heavier barding and a rider, it is very difficult for it to charge successfully because it still has to move half of its speed. Frank's point was that minimum forward speed can easily creep up on you.