Directing blind mounts?

[SangoProduction]

So, say you're a dwarf riding in darkness. You've got darkvision, while your choice of mount does not.

Are there any explicit penalties for this?

[Troacctid]

Well, the mount moves at half speed, so there's that, I guess.

[SangoProduction]

Well, I guess that's a notable enough penalty at least.

[Darg]

If riding the mount, I would force a ride check at +20. It's one thing to lead a blinded mount compared to riding the mount. Horses like to see, but they are generally willing to follow if they are led from the front or next to the head.

[SirNibbles]

The full list of penalties for being blind/in the dark is in the Dungeon Master's Guide, page 302.

Besides the half-speed movement, your mount cannot run or charge. Additionally, your mount loses its Dex bonus to AC and takes a -2 penalty to AC. You also take a -4 to most Str and Dex checks. Balance would be the most likely check to be affected.

There are a few other penalties but they probably wouldn't matter for your mount.