D&D 3.5 Paladin - Upgrading your special mount

[bojack]

I recently started playing d&d as a paladin, but couldn't find any information about the process of upgrading your special mount.

When I reached paladin lvl. 5, my DM gave me a warhorse mount.

Then, I found in the Dungeon Master's Guide (p. 204) that according to your paladin level (6th, 7th or 8th) you can choose different types of mounts.

If at, lets say lvl. 7, I wanted a more unique mount, how could I achieve this? Can you release your current mount and just call a different mount suited to your level? Is there some kind of penalization for this action?

Also, are there any more creatures that could be your mount not mentioned in the Dungeon Master's Guide (p. 204)? maybe some in higher levels (9+)?

Finally, are there other classes/PrC (apart from paladin and cavalier) that could help progress your mount this way?

Thank you.

[Bronk]

I recently started playing d&d as a paladin, but couldn't find any information about the process of upgrading your special mount.

When I reached paladin lvl. 5, my DM gave me a warhorse mount.

Then, I found in the Dungeon Master's Guide (p. 204) that according to your paladin level (6th, 7th or 8th) you can choose different types of mounts.

If at, lets say lvl. 7, I wanted a more unique mount, how could I achieve this? Can you release your current mount and just call a different mount suited to your level? Is there some kind of penalization for this action?

Also, are there any more creatures that could be your mount not mentioned in the Dungeon Master's Guide (p. 204)? maybe some in higher levels (9+)?

Finally, are there other classes/PrC (apart from paladin and cavalier) that could help progress your mount this way?

Thank you.

In general, as you continue to raise in paladin level, your mount starts to improve with you:
http://www.d20srd.org/srd/classes/paladin.htm

There are a number of additional mounts listed here and there:
http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?143548-Mount-options-D-amp-D-3-5
Although I believe anything the DM deems thematically appropriate can serve as a special mount, based on CR.

Also, there are a number of ways to improve your mount, including with other classes and PRCs.
http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?106815-3-5-Special-Paladin-Mount&p=5874088#post5874088

A good generalized mount advice handbook can be found here:
http://minmaxforum.com/index.php?topic=25.0