Sorry but I had to add my 2 bits, a slightly less robust camel with a better nature
Very similar in stats to a horse, just a little tougher, with reasons why a camel is better in the desert.
CREATURE NAME: Camel - the ship of the desert
STR: 3d6+18
CON: 3d6+10
SIZ: 2d6+18
INT: 4
POW: 3d6
DEX: 2d6+3
CHA: N/A
Combat Actions 2, Damage Mod +d12, Strike Rank +7, Magic Points 11, Movement Rate 16m (12m on soft sand, compared to a horses 8m)
Kick 35% 1d4+DB Medium Medium As leg
Bite 25% 1d4 Short Medium
Spit 45% 0 damage Short Long N/A
Spit: Opposed roll vs evade (or possibly parry/unarmed) to avoid being blinded for one combat action.
Typical armour: hide - no penalty
Skills: Athletics 60%, Brawn 60%, Desert survival 55%, Resilience 70%
Notes on the benefits of the camel, by Hephestiles the explorer:
Camels can travel many days without food or water. When riding a horse for more than half a day, you always have to be aware of water sources.
Camels are quieter and gentler than horses. Situations that could panic a horse will scarcely cause any concern for a camel. If a horse gets really spooked, it may bolt and run off -- a dangerous situation. Camels will rarely act in such an insensible manner. However, camels will sometimes buck, for no other reason than sheer exuberance. Hang on!
Camels seem smarter than horses about getting themselves out of a precarious situation. If a horse gets tangled up in a rope, it may struggle violently and get rope burns (or worse). A tangled up camel will, after briefly testing the bonds, sit quietly and figure out what to do next. If trapped in deep quicksand a camel, instead of struggling and getting in deeper like a horse would do, may well sit quietly for a moment while analyzing the situation, then roll over on her side in order to neatly extricate her legs and get out.
Camels can carry more weight than horses. Also, a well-designed camel saddle has more room to carry whatever extra gear you are packing than a horse saddle does. Camels may also have more endurance, although of course training level is important.
Riding a camel is quiet and peaceful (that is, once the camel is well trained enough that it no longer grumbles along the way). Camel's slipper-like feet make hardly any noise. Without the clip-clop of hooves, you can hear the wind sighing in the brush, the rustle of autumn leaves, a desert dog howl in the distance on a moonlight ride or an enemies approach.
Camels do not need to be shod. The cost of shoeing horses can really add up! You can make money with a well-trained camel. Not so easy to do with a horse!
