I may be msiunderstanding, but as far as i can tell, the devs are working on making thr elk the primary rideable creature with horses as a lesser secondary. Why are the devs making this decision?
Elk do not have a body structure suited to carrying things. Look at elk leg joints and horse leg joints, its obvious which animal has stronger legs. Afaik, the only time they have been somewhat domesticated is for sled driving, but they have never been ridden. Elk arent "built" to carry on their back like horses.
2nd issue is the massive antlers. Imagine riding an elk, the elk turns its head, and you get skewered. Not very good thing to be worried abt during combat.
Horses are far more practical for what i can tell the devs want. If the devs think that storage on a horse would look weird, then carriages can be used.
But a more interesting alternative are more exotic creatures. Elephants, camels, bull, water buffalo are more exotic creatures that are *regularly(kinda but still uncommon) used as mounts. Other creatures can be used as work animals too.
Tldr: elk have weak knees and sharp horns pointed right at the rider. Why are elk the planned primary rideable?