Finally got to try out riding a horse, I have watched others ride and think the animation looks great, while riding it though I am disappointing and think it needs an overhaul.
First off from a third person view it does not feel like riding a horse, it is more akin to gliding across the ground. In first person it is just way to choppy at that speed trying to render everything.
I think perhaps slowing the horse speed and improving the mechanics, the current feel just seems to fast for the environment.
Also, I think the horse should try to avoid obstacles, go around the tree not into it (at high speeds you can't really control the beast).
Down hill is also a problem, you can go way to fast down the hill, it feels like you are just gliding, not galloping, the horse should be forcing you to go slow or it will fall sending you flying. I go screaming down the hill and it just does not look good.
Basically, the horse really needs work