Although the story sounds a little weird, considering what Nintendo patented. They have patented a inflatable horse which in turns leads to being able to create a number of other inflatable animals and items.
Discovered in the European Patent Database by Siliconera, the Wii Horseback Riding Saddle is apparently an inflatable saddle with a pouch where players can insert the Wii Remote. Players can then hold the Nunchuck up as a set of reins or "a raised hand for balance as in Bronco riding, a lasso, a sword or other weapon", according to the patent.
The patent also claims that the construction of the inflatable saddle would be similar to conventional exercise balls and that "an advantage of an inflatable design is that it is compact to ship and store."
The intended use for the saddle would be to simulate virtual horse riding obviously, but Nintendo hasn't limited it's ambition to targeting a single animal. The patent also discusses how the saddle could simulate the experience of riding "bulls, camels, elephants, burros, dolphins, whales dragons, griffons, unicorns [and] giant eagles."
Also, Jim Sterling riding a Toucan! Score!
SOURCE:
Bit-Tech.net