1. http://www.reddit.com/r/ffxiv/commen..._requirements/

2. I think you can ride them if you take them from cities? Otherwise outpost chocobos or on rails until you unlock your own.

3. The blue bar on an item represents spiritbonding, its done by simply using the item like fighting with it or crafting with it etc.

4. Icons represent how hostile they are, the blue flower? means its docile and wont attack unless attacked the red triangle means the opposite.