Just came across downloadable content for Rome:Total War 2 and it included camel cataphracts (i.e. covered in what looks like splintmail). Now, it isn't the first game to have implied there were armored cavalry........to which I ask.
What is the actual historical basis of armored cavalry where the animal is covered as opposed to solely the rider?
I can understand that certain warhorses might've been able to handle the added weight but....I imagine it to be a logistical nightmare, a training nightmare, and just generally unrealistic.
To make a long story short- Armored cavalry with armored horses are a VERY old concept, and were incredibly effective. The byzantines, at various times in their history, were infamous for deploying (comparatively) large groups of them, and using them rather skillfully in concert with pike and shot+lighter cavalry+ armored horse archers.
The french ordnance companies actually started out requiring men to take the field on armored horses as well, and were rather effective.
Here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cataphract
Wikipedia isn't the best source, but the fever I have means I'm not goign to be able to figure out which tactical manuals to link you too. To learn more about the byzantine army, i'd recommend reading The Grand Strategy of the Byzantine Empire. It is incredibly comprehensive, easy to read, and worthwhile. Uses a good number of primary sources, too. As for the french: http://www.myarmoury.com/feature_armies_french.html
If I get over this sickness in a reasonable timeframe, i'll break out my books and google-fu to find you some decent sources and actual citations.
Can't talk about armored camels, i've never heard of it outside of video games.