Dialing back the cavalier request idea, I've been thinking that perhaps instead there could be some other fun ways to integrate mounts into the game, in different ways than goblin raiders.

1. All players can buy a mountable pet:

Benefit: You don't lose moves when mounted. Ideal for lowbies trudging around the world.
Tradeoffs: not as fast as spiders/wargs, weak mercs in fights, can't attack if mounted, and if attacked get dismounted.

2. Some classes can use mounts, with skills/tradeoffs unique from raiders. These mounts are not strong fighters, but wouldn't just be one-rounded, either.

new paladin subclass, Cavalier: Inspired by classic knights. One rank his best friend arrives, he names him whatever and that its name for always. He can race around with it, better charge, fight on it, who knows! You choose to be a cavalier you get some benefits and lose some versatility. But more importantly, you get a friend!

Anti-Paladins: I think of dark warrior/sorcerors riding high on a big ass horse. New skills: tamemount - can find stallions in the wild and subjugate/tame. Some skill ideas include hoofstomp, runthrough (retreat and inflict damage), hoofraise (rear up and knock down all attackers). Not that anti-paladins need anything else, but you know, if you are mounted, you can't bash or trip, so, choices.

Bedouin and plainsrunner rangers: tamemount, raceto - can run right to a person in same area. Only works in deserts, plains, roads. Too powerful? Ok, if you camo when not mounted, your horse wanders off and you have to go find him again. Is that better?

Thief, bandit path: Can buy horses in some guilds/places. Skills:
- Whip
- Load: can load an item right from ground into horse, one-step gathering and looting (more for loading heavy armors and selling, I promise)!
Return: can smack your horse on the butt and he'll race straight to your guild without you!
Park: Bandits have learned the subtle art of getting their horse to sit still and stay put while they sneak away. But also, their horse blends in just enough that doesn't show on where.
Wrangle: Like lash, but have to be mounted, and maybe it's a little better.
Mount/Dismount: Can mount/dismount in battle.
Manuever: Improved evade while mounted. Just because.

Raiders: Because they need a little help now that everyone and their brother can mount too.
Charge with spear gives a damage bonus if mounted,
improved flee doesn't leave mount behind,
dash works while mounted,
skirt does as much damage as thief circle,
More mounts besides boring old spiders and wargs, and different mounts offer a little more uniqueness. Lets mount ugly cat things from LOTR, boars that can horn you, spiders can poison, big-ass rock lizards. Fun!