Mounted Combat questions

[karossii]

okay, so I am looking at running a mounted character, and while I have read up on the handle animal and ride skills, the mounted combat line of feats, and the animal's feats... where do I find the basic rule of combat for mounted combat?

Having never yet played a mounted character nor seen one played, I am unsure about a few things.

I assume that riding, my mount's movement is all that is considered, not my own. That is obvious. But do I get a move action as well as my mount's move action? (Specifically in this case, reloading a crossbow or firearm)?

My (combat trained) mount can make attacks, in addition to my own attacks, yes?

Riding a large creature, as a medium creature; which square of its space do I occupy? Do I get to choose? Or do I occupy all of them?

I'm avoiding my initial thoughts of a flying mount, mainly to avoid the additional headaches of 3D combat and positioning, as well as due to my lack of experience with ANY mounts. So with a land based exotic mount (debating between a lion and a grizzly bear), I just need to buy an exotic saddle (riding or military), some saddlebags (if desired), and possibly some barding, yes? Are there specific rules for barding, encumbrance, and the mount's movement speeds? I assume it is similar to a PC's restrictions?

Anything else which isn't blatantly obvious (or possibly even if it seems as such) that I forgot to mention or ask?

[Lobo Apache]

DMing a Mounted Paladin on a Dionycus I know the pains of this....

Your mount size is considered as your size. Doing large mount as a medium creature you occupy all squares the it does.

Ask your DM about the sharing move actions, myself I would rule that you could reload and move at the same time, doing the ride checks to steer with your knees.

Your mount can attack as well (with a animal feat it can do a full attack on a charge)

The difference between flying and land mounts isn't that huge so if you don't mind the 3D combat (which if you have a magic user will happen eventually anyways)

Getting a saddle (preferably military), saddlebags, and barding would be invaluable. Especially if you DM goes "this mount needs to die". Barding does slow the animal down equivalent to the humanoid chart.

If you look on the PFSRD for mounted combat It will give you feats along with if you dig a bit you should be able to find all that you need (also check animal companion section for some of it due to it being the same stuff used either way {mostly})

[bigkilla]

Mounted Combat

[karossii]

Thanks, Lobo and bigkilla, that is what I was looking for/in need of!

As to sharing moves... it states; "Your mount acts on your initiative count as you direct it. You move at its speed, but the mount uses its action to move." Using its action to move would indicate to me that I am free to use my own move action for something else? Or am I misreading that, and they're meaning I use my action AND it uses its action to move?