Mounted Battlesmiths and the Iron Defenders Actions?

[Citadel97501]

Hello all, my search-fu seems to be failing but I was wondering if anyone has ruled on whether your Iron Defender can use its abilities? On a quick read through of the mounted combat rules it seems like a controlled one would lose access to both of its actions, however this seems counter-intuitive to me.

I assume you could say that the mount is Independent which might fix most of the issues with these abilities, but then that gives you issues with it taking its turn after yours possibly putting you in the wrong location for attacks?

[Zhorn]

Assumption on my part; I think this should follow "specific beats general".

Controlled mounts would be the general rules for controlling a creature that is not your character.
Iron Defender (Steel Defender if using RFTLW) would be a specific rule set for a creature fully under the character's control, so you're still chewing your bonus action to control (and would need to be a smaller size than the Defender to ride).