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I've played about 8 total sessions of Pathfinder so please forgive any poor reasoning/assumptions.
I'm playing a ranger mounted archer. When it came time to get my animal companion, my GM ruled that my current heavy-horse could become my animal companion. Both of us realized that the HEAVY horse was not on the official companion list, but he allowed it because the horse and I had been through a lot together. HOWEVER: he ruled the first two animal companion feats for the horse would be Endurance and Run instead of anything I might otherwise pick. So I got to pick my first feat (Power Attack) at companion level 5.
I'm now about to hit level 7 (I have boon companion so my companion's level is also 7). Eventually I would like to use improved/greater overrun to get myself into the thick of it and use snapshot, combat reflexes, improved snapshot to do lots of AoO damage. Almost everyone online (including this forum) seems to recommend wolf animal companion, but I'm wondering if that's just because they don't have heavy horse as an option. What do you think, keep the horse or swap him out?
Stats as of level 7, include advancement and animal companion bonus (hopefully I did this right):
Standard Companion Horse: STR 20, DEX 13, CON 19, natural armor 8; bite 1d4 + 2 hooves 1d6
.......................Heavy Horse: STR 24, DEX 18, CON 25, natural armor 6; bite 1d4 + 2 hooves 1d6
....................................Wolf: STR 23, DEX 13, CON 21, natural armor 8; bite 1d6 + trip
Don't forget- a wolf has 1.5x strength and power attack bonus on its bite since it only has the 1 natural attack.
How does that compare against 2 extra secondary natural attacks (which only get 0.5x strength and power attack, and hit at BAB-5)?
Of course, as a mounted archer, your goal is generally going to be a game of keep away. So its use as a melee beat stick might well be underplayed. And the wolf's trip isn't that awesome for an archer either, since it gives enemies even MORE AC against ranged attacks (it is better for TWF or 2 handers, since it lowers AC against melee). So go with whatever you are comfortable with.
The heavy horse is wartrained, so I believe I get to count all three of its attacks as primary (bite and hooves). But you are correct about the 1.5x strength bonus for the wolf, I hadn't thought of that.
Even if they are all primary, I would be wary of sticking around for the full attack.
A wolf can get 1 big hit in, and then run away.
Also, there is the multiattack ability. The wolf gets an iterative with its bite at druid level 9. That could get it on equal terms for damage if it has 1.5x on both attacks (not an expert on whether that is how it works though).
Still, again, stick with what you want. You are an archer, melee is not your main pursuit. There is a bit of a difference, but nothing too game breaking.
I often like taking interesting options, even if they aren't the theorycrafters' 'one true way'. I am cradling a barbarian build that DOESN'T take superstition and still does well. I am still nurturing a fighter build. While I still like making effective builds, it doesn't mean you have to optimize to the max with the cookie cutter stuff.
My archetype ship has long since sailed: Wild Hunter. I am tempted by a flying mount but again, right now the way I'm trying to play the character is:
'Eventually I would like to use improved/greater overrun to get myself into the thick of it and use snapshot, combat reflexes, improved snapshot to do lots of AoO damage.'