So I play on ps3 and have not had a chance to use horse combat obviously, but from what i've seen in videos, i'm not happy with it. It looks identical to Assassins creed Horse Combat. and lets just say that svcked. I could not find a way to control what way i lean to swing, and from some videos that i watched from IGN they seemed to have a few troubles with that as well.

On some other notes, I think that the horse combat would go over much better if they included bandits on horses waiting for you on the side of the road and more mounted combat. AND FIX THE FRICKEN UGLY HORSES! lol i'm somewhat joking, they are ugly as all can be, they ride like they have boots on, have you ever seen an animal with boots on? it's funny. and they attack stuff.

so thoughts?

Thoughts... Cool story bro. I like it, and hey they never had to add it so be happy.

O' and just about every person that had actually played it likes it... and btw thats how horse combat is, you cant fight normally on horse back. There is a reason its like AC

Can't say i disagree, it looked like they swinged their blades through thin air and it looked a bit clunky, i hope they fix it.

Everyone keeps saying the horses look ugly. I must be really blind or something...

It's free so don't complain

Just be happy they're continually adding new features for free which is almost unheard of. Also, don't forget the much needed bug fixes.

I think it's pretty sweet that they're still working on the game.

Well I like the idea of horse combat. I also appreciate Beth adding things like this. But in its current incantation it could use some work. If there was a first person option it would be much improved. However, combat in 3rd person is lacking especially when looking at archery as it stands at the moment. Make the horse combat have a first person option and this would be perfect.

Oh and I am on PC and have been messing with it for the last day or so.

Nah it's just that i've spent 83 hours online in RDR and beat the single player 6 times, I just compare every horse to RDR's horses lol.

And yes it does look clunky but then again that's why it's in PC first for testing i guess?

Horse combat is really clunky right now, hopefully it gets improved some for the full version of the patch. At least add support for staves and spells.

Yes it is a bit clunky, but it is new and it's free. Eventually Bethesda will find a way to improve on this, if not in Skytrim, then probably for TES 6.

First person option but with better horse's attitude -hopefully more similar to RdR that was a landmark in that regard,i agree with both

RDR did a fantastic job with their riding - granted the game would have completely svcked otherwise given you spend half your playthrough on horseback.

As for Mounted Combat in Skyrim (I've yet to opt into the beta), I was under the impression that your right trigger (for us PC users using a 360 controller) initiated a forehand swing of your weapon on the right side of your horse and the left trigger initiated a backhand swing on the left side. Not sure if that would address your concern about which way you lean to swing.

I don't really intend on fighting melee style from horseback anyway, I only intend to hunt deer and mammoth with a bow and arrows from horseback, epic hunting. I could get my pet dog to run along beside me as well.

I haven't had a chance to test it out but I'm hoping it's like Mount and Blade in it's combat.

I haven't tried it out yet, but my biggest complaint with what I've seen, and this is actually applicable to all melee combat, is that it doesn't feel like your weapon is actually connecting with anything. It becomes painfully apparent with the forced third person on horses.

I don't think it's clunky at all. Feels great.

I ain't seen it, nor played it.

But since it is not a forced feature, it's not necessarily a bad thing. You're not forced to do it.

Besides, I rarely ride horses as it is now.

I suppose you want them to make it you swinging a sword in the air. That is it happens in Assassin's Creed how it happens in real life, and how it will happen in Skyrim.
To swing at enemies lower than you of course you need to lean down or else you will not accomplish anything.

Not a bad addition to the game it has it's pros.

It's quite clumsy actually. Left mouse button for left sided attack & right for right side. Could've done better with the ability for power attack. Archery is pretty cool though, so I won't complain about that.

Well, since Oblivion I've been wanting combat from horseback. That feeling grew exponentially after playing RDR and loving it beyond all measure. So, my take on it is this: "Clunky" is better than nothing at all. And since I'm not being charged for the feature that didn't come with vanilla, I'm sure I'll be content (using the feature where it's practical, not using it where it isn't). I'm, at minimum, pleased that Bethesda is proving that they are listening to those who thought this would make horses more practical and enjoyable.

Mounted combat is clumsy and difficult. Assassin's Creed did an exellent job of mounted combat as it was very realistic.....not very effective but realistic. Melee mounted combat was only effective as a calvary unit against large groups of enemies. One on one it is very ineffective as horses are difficult to turn and all one has to do is take three steps to the side to get out of the way. A bowman on the ground versus a mounted swordsman.....bowman hands down.

At least, Mounted combat is compatible with http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=15225.