Your mount balks, refusing to go there...

Could it be changed so that at least in PARTIES if mount balks, it stays in
place and player riding it simply follows the party. There are anyways a
number of situations where mounts can balk and i'd pretty much prefer if this
it would happen with somewhat lesser disruptiveness.

Mount can anyway balk in many situations. Mount can get hungry, ride
underground/protect mount might not work or be active, room might be special
room or certain type of no-summon room, or room might be somekind of river
room where non-swimming mounts can't go or just simply river/sea in
wilderness.

This is what I suggest:
-When following party, balking mount would not prevent your movement and mount
would just be left behind.
-When soloing or leading party yourself, MOVING yourself, balking mount would
prevent your movement. This would prevent jumping off your mount when e.g.
riding elephant into sea by accident.

Legitimate -- however, why not make it an option? Have default be where you
don't move, and can turn "leave mount" on or something like that. Maybe have
the option for when in parties and when not in parties...

Aha! On/Off thingie would be ok for me too. If I could switch it on/off every
time I join/leave party or something like that.

"Hey, where'd my mount go" -complaits should not be problem if ppl just bother
to use the heel and summon mount. Heel has duration of 1 and costs only 5 eps
to use so you can use it 1000 times in a day if you feel like it.

And anyways, if you can CHOOSE either to stay with your balking mount OR not
stay with your balking mount this should not be problem to anyone.