Magical Beasts of Burden

[Gwendallgrey]

So in the new world I'm working on, a large portion of the Empire is heavily dependent on magic. One of the major differences in this section is that horses, oxen, mules and other common beasts of burden are practically nonexistent. In their place, they have formed a good relationship with many of the magical creatures that surround them. Some of the less intelligent ones are used more like beasts of burden but treated better, and the intelligent ones are given homes and food in return for their aid. I'm looking for creatures that'd be good to replace beasts of burden, strong enough to help out but not crazy intelligent. Thank you!

[avr]

The first thing that occurs to me is a template in Eberron (D&D 3.5) for 'magebred' animals. They won't be very different in stats from ordinary animals but it could be a good excuse for differences in appearance or behaviour.

Also you could use PF's giant template on animals not normally big enough to be beasts of burden, or other templates on normal animals. A mana wasted mutant camel or a giant ram could be good for what you want.

Big semi intelligent not-quite-animals include griffons, hippogriffs and pegasi.

Lycanthropes and weirder shapeshifters could easily shift things. Whether that stops at werebears or goes on to elf giant mantis entothropes, dwarf giant rock crab entothropes & actual dragons is up to your vision.

Trox and centaurs are listed races which could fit the niche too.