i've noticed when i'm riding my horse out in the countryside enemies always attack my horse, don't they know (or care) that a horse is expensive??

i can understand wild animals attacking it but bandits???

They care about winning the battle, and taking out the horse first is the best strategy. He's a much bigger target, and unarmored.

Why do enemies attack you period? You're the freaking Dovahkiin. Maybe they acknowledge this and kill the (weaker) horse first.

A fighter on horseback has the advantage, so the idea is to dismount the rider by taking out the horse first.

The most effective method is to trip up the horse, but if this isn't possible, killing the horse is necessary.

And they may be hungry

lol, giving the AI too much credit i think. They attack whoever is closest. they have to go through the horse to get to you, so they do.

Frost and Generic Horse have died to Snow Bears and Dragons.