Why is cavalry an advantage

You can never train horses as you can train people, and even the most trained horse could be easily frightened. It is almost impossible to make the horse go against sharp points or against something that looks like a wall. Or, on the contrary, to stop a horse in time then a pit if ahead.

Logistics arguments are good, but they work no for cavalry only, but also for infantry, transported by horses and fighting on foot. The answer is - different classes participate in cavalry and in infantry.

They have different reasons to fight, different experience, different quality of arms and armor and everything changes according to the concrete situation.

Now the prof army wins. By the time of the Napoleonic wars the odds seem to be on the side of the infantry and their rifles. Although cavalry were effective against a marching column and were lethal against a retreating army, once the infantry could form squares on a battlefield they were pretty much safe. IIRC none of the British squares at waterloo were penetrated by French cavalry and concentrated organised rifle fire from a square could stop a cavalry charge.

When you consider transporting and feeding a horse in a campaign they probably cost the equivalent of a squad of a dozen infantry so overall probably a net loss. As for the diagram above, the general consensus was that heavy infantry had an advantage over light infantry if they could close the distance.

Warfare isn't rock paper scissors where light cavalry always dominates heavy infantry, or heavy cavalry always decimates light infantry. In fact you can find historical examples of any type of cavalry defeating any type of infantry and vice versa. The Romans often considered to have a military disadvantage to the mobile Parthian cavalry repeatedly dominated the battlefield against Persian mounted archers.

One massive reason for the rise of cavalry was the decline of infantry. The Roman legions were softened through the years and longer unstoppable. Likewise Persian cataracts proved just how decisive a heavy cavalry charge could prove. But even the mighty Sassanids were repeatedly defeated by Roman infantry. Cavalry was never suited for rough terrain quite like disciplined infantry was.

Even the mongols had their difficulties until supported by Chinese allied infantry. This involves exploiting an enemies weakness with one tactic to make it vulnerable to another. The Byzantines were masters at this type of warfare, surviving for over years. Sign up to join this community. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top. Stack Overflow for Teams — Collaborate and share knowledge with a private group.

Create a free Team What is Teams? Learn more. How well can cavalry fight infantry? Ask Question. Asked 9 years, 11 months ago. Active 3 years, 10 months ago. Viewed 20k times. Improve this question. Steven Drennon 8, 6 6 gold badges 43 43 silver badges 75 75 bronze badges. The Romans had spears that were designed to be thrown at the enemy. Other countries' soldiers didn't have that. It was really unique to the Romans I think.

Add a comment. Active Oldest Votes. You can maneuver your forces rapidly. See Mongols. Logistics Horse mounted warrior has greater carrying capacity, reducing the requirement for logistics train. Mongols again drinking horse milk, drinking horse blood, or worse to worst, eating a horse Higher position of the fighter Allows you to thrust down stronger hit, steadier position since you can lean forward during the hit.

Allows to carry longer weapon, increasing your range. This increases both your momentum, and kinetic energy see below. General psychological advantage. People can be scared if massive things gallop at you. This allows you to: Put more kinetic energy into your weapon attack extra bonus from earlier mentioned extra mass. Use the horse to physically break the lines of the opponent due to momentum. Extra tactical maneuverability see below Tactical maneuverability. Improve this answer. Very nice, well thought out as well.

And it didn't even have time to gain momentum starting position was 1m from me. If it was in a battle, I'd be incapacitated immediately. Two things not mentioned: it allows to pursue the enemy in case of victory and to escape enemy in case of defeat. Defeated infantry has no chance, defeated cavalry can be saved at least in part and re-used later.

Also cavalry can avoid battle with infantry as long as they want and choose a favorable position and time to attack. Infantry cannot choose the circumstances and cannot attack cavalry. They only have to defend once they spotted cavalry attacking.

This does not work if the cavalry army also has infantry units. In that case the cavalry would have to protect their infantry. Pastures, farms, stockpile of hay to keep cows fed through winter - and most of that in poorly defended villages. So depending on pillaging for keeping the army mobile was a viable tactic. Show 14 more comments. Wladimir Palant Wladimir Palant 9, 2 2 gold badges 47 47 silver badges 54 54 bronze badges. Sardathrion - Useless in defense? What about a real guard action?

Also note that this battle happened before the invention of the stirrup. Also note cavalry needs about fifteen seconds to become infantry ; — SF.

Some cavalry is bad infantry though. The more armor they carry the less able to walk around they are. The infantry-cavalry balance has changed a lot over time. And back and forth. Tom Au Tom Au k 16 16 gold badges silver badges bronze badges. So the cavalry must attack from behind. Greek and Roman infantry were the "exception.

Also good analysis Tom Au. I can't vote comments yet though. Heavy infantry tends to be better equipped and better trained than the usual foot slogger, and a match for cavalry.

They're also expensive and upset aristocratic class sensibilities, so they were pretty uncommon. Show 3 more comments. It would be difficult to throw a Macedonian sarissa somewhere. Gangnus Gangnus 6, 22 22 silver badges 39 39 bronze badges. I mean Yu Fei can defeat juchen cavalry. Then latter ming troops cannot defeat juchen cavalry. Ming troops have higher tech. The Man does. So, even if I got a Kalashnikov, I have no chance against a veteran soldier of years ago.

And then yuan chong quan used cannon to kill juchen emperor. Gangnus Not necessarily true. Witness Afghanistan. Yu Fei defeated Jurchen cavalry because he was Yu Fei.

They made expert mounted infantrymen. The distinction between traditional cavalry and mounted infantry was often blurred. During the Second Afghan War the 9th Lancers always went into action with their carbines on their backs so they could fight on foot if required.

The real difference was that while the cavalry could perform mounted infantry duties, the mounted infantry could not charge effectively, having neither sword or lance. Even though the smaller and often hardier ponies used by mounted infantry were generally easier to maintain than the larger cavalry horses, the mounted infantry concept was regarded as less useful in Europe than in colonial warfare.

By most units had been disbanded. With its soldiers all riding into battle on horses, wagons or limbers, the RHA was able to keep up with the fast-moving mounted units. Once in position, horse artillery crews were trained to quickly dismount, unlimber their guns, then rapidly fire at the enemy. They could then just as rapidly limber up, remount and be ready to move to a new position. A classic use of horse artillery was against an enemy infantry square that had formed up to resist a cavalry charge.

Firing grape shot into the massed ranks could break up the square and allow the cavalry to destroy it. Another common role for the RHA was as cover during the retreat of slower-moving units. Their speed of deployment meant they could also act as a rapid response force, repulsing attacks in a threatened sector of the battlefield. Cavalry Animals s s s s Horses. Cavalry charges might win a battle, but with poor leadership they could end in disaster.

Many are remembered and celebrated because of the risk involved, whether successful or not. It was the decisive battle of its age. The Battle of Balaklava in witnessed one of the most famous acts of battlefield bravery and one of the most infamous blunders in military history. During the First World War, the Army relied on its horses to perform a wide range of jobs.

The requisition, transportation and care of these animals was therefore of huge importance. Horses have played a vital role in supporting soldiers on and off the battlefield. Explore the stories of some of the most incredible horses in British military history. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Be the first to hear about our latest events, exhibitions and offers. Simply enter your email address below to start receiving our monthly email newsletter.

To find out more about how we collect, store and use your personal information, read our Privacy Policy. National Army Museum 10am - 5. Toggle navigation. Cavalry Cavalry roles The British Army used horses in all sorts of ways, including pulling and carrying supplies and equipment.

View this object. The Charge of the Heavy Brigade at Balaklava, Mounted warfare Cavalry soldiers on large, heavy and strong horses were used to break enemy formations.

Harquebusiers and carabiniers The first cavalrymen to be armed with firearms were known as harquebusiers. Dragoons Dragoons were originally mounted soldiers primarily intended to fight on foot. Pattern Heavy Dragoon Carbine. The 2nd Royal Northern British Dragoons, Cuirassiers The heavy cavalry were trained to smash enemy units on the battlefield. Hussars Hussars were light cavalry mounted on fast horses. Lancers The main task of the lancers was to charge enemy infantry and cavalry formations.

Pattern Lance fitted with a red and white pennon. Today, lancer units are mechanised. The 17th Lancers at Balaklava, Yeomanry The volunteer yeomanry cavalry units were originally formed in the s as a response to the invasion threat from Revolutionary France. Mounted infantry British mounted infantry units emerged during the colonial conflicts of the late 19th century.

An Australian Scout in South Africa, Mounted infantry watering their horses, South Africa, Bengal Horse Artillery in action, Related topics Cavalry Animals s s s s Horses. Explore further. Story Death or glory: Famous cavalry charges Cavalry charges might win a battle, but with poor leadership they could end in disaster.

Story Battle of Balaklava The Battle of Balaklava in witnessed one of the most famous acts of battlefield bravery and one of the most infamous blunders in military history. Story Horse heroes Horses have played a vital role in supporting soldiers on and off the battlefield. Sign up to the National Army Museum newsletter Be the first to hear about our latest events, exhibitions and offers.

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