Wild Rider and Ape... does it get barding?

[Legora]

So I'm playing a Wild Rider halfling druid who is riding on the back of an ape. The ape has simple weapon prof: Club and actively enters combat. My question is this.. if I want to armor my ape, do I buy him barding, or do I have to wait till the ape gets another feat and get him armor prof??

[Howie23]

Whether he wears boarding or armor is immaterial. Barding is just a name for armor worn by animals. A creature can wear boarding or armor, as appropriate to their form, with or without proficiency. Without proficiency, the non-proficiency penalties applies.