Why not have the possibility of telepathic connection to an aminal that goes beside you ? I mean not only horses, but also the almost ancient (in terms of Larian Studios <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" /> ) concept of "helpful animals" I vaguely remember having posted here once.
They can act as guides through unknown territory, as councillors, or even have can "talk" to other anymals themselves !
Let's stick to this example of the horse, but it could also go with dogs, cats, bunnies, boars, whatever : The animal notices it hasn't been in an area before, and telepathically "asks" current animals of that area (e.g. wood) about the place. They respond, showing the horse spots on the map. Water for drinking, for example, or very well known enemies.
Or it could call for help while in a fight : If the horse is attacked, it could telepathically cry out for help, so that other animals of the area (wood here) arrive for help and begin themselves attacking the enemy.
Another possibility could be to summon animals, to help the hero or the horse or both. These summoned creatures / animals are in no way connected to the hero or the horse, they just help, because they have been asked and the reputation of both is good (I wonder how they might be able to find out a human's reputation; therefore I'd rather use the horse's reputation, because it's an animal among other animals). Since they are not connected in any way, they disappear or run away when their health is low.
When you find a big kettle of crazy, it's best not to stir it. --Dilbert cartoon
"Interplay.some zombiefied unlife thing going on there" - skavenhorde at RPGWatch
