Allow people to ride horses if they have 30 ranks in the 'Ride' skill.
This way, the Horse Riding Award remains relevant for those that want to get the horse early on without wasting any skillpoints—but otherwise, having a horse requires some skill investment and is open to any class that has the skill.
Please.
Also, another possible approach to the subject above suggested by MissEvelyn;
MissEvelyn wrote: Maybe have the horse be available at 10 points in Ride, but at a speed, AB, and AC penalty. Say -5 penalty to said attributes (maybe 50% in speed), which is decreased by 1 (and 10% for speed) every 5 skill points you take in Ride. At 30 all penalties are gone.