A mounted character's normal defence and ability to dodge are also affected by being mounted. If a mounted character chooses to dodge (e.g. by equivalent of side-step or jump back), he/she does not move on the combat board; instead, he/she has to maneuver in the saddle/vehicle and so has to make a dice roll to remain mounted (counts as overcoming an easy obstacle).
If a mounted character's Riding (including relevant specialisms) is lower than his/her Combat (including dodging specialism), his/her Riding (including relevant specialisms) is used instead of his/her Combat (including dodging specialism) in the defence dice roll. There is a penalty of -2 on the defence dice roll if the character's mount is agitated.
For example, Cogan the barbarian has a Combat skill score of 6 1/2 with a no relevant specialisms, a Riding skill score of 2 with a +1 specialism in riding horses, and a CO score of +1/2. On foot, when side-stepping (+2 bonus to defence dice roll), Cogan has a basic value for the defence dice roll of 9 (= 6 1/2 + 1/2 + 2); when riding a horse (in this case, a warhorse (+2 bonus to Riding dice rolls) equipped with saddle, harness, reins and stirrups (+1 bonus to Riding dice rolls)), Cogan is slightly less comfortable, and his basic value is only 8 1/2 (= 2 +1 + 1/2 + 2 +1 +2); he will also have to make a Riding dice roll to avoid falling off his horse.