Barding is armor used for the mount. [AV:14] Heavy barding adds to a mount's Armor class just as armor does to a character, and has similar check and speed penalties. Unlike heavy armor, the heavy barding does not negate the creature's intelligence or dexterity bonus to AC. Creatures that fill the soldier role already have similar barding or armor factored in to their AC, and thus such barding is less effective for them. Barding may be enchanted just like regular armor, but there is no enhancement bonus given to creatures wearing magical barding.