"Cavalry Movement" Topic

I use the Empire Campaign System but worry I'm flogging my cavalry and artillery horses to death as the seem to be able to march thirty miles a day day after day. Do you think this is accurate?

Bags not be a horse in your army :-)

Cheers,
John

I think it is overdoing it – there's plenty of information about, e.g.:
"1912 Cavalry Training Manual …distances of 20 to 25 miles could be reckoned with and forced marches of 40 to 50 miles could be made occasionally but marches of such length should not be undertaken without urgent reason."
This was from: link

Good quality cavalry could do 30 miles a day for short periods of time with the emphasis on short – I think Murat's cavalry averaged 50 km a day in the 1805 campaign but that was for about a 10 day period; so I think 30 miles a day for many many days is giving your horse soldiers a little more credit than is due

Do remember that there is an element of stylisation in every ruleset. Is it absolutely realistic? Maybe not, but does it work?

Are you overlooking the fatigue rules (13.0)? These seem to require periodic stop/rest/administrative periods as fatigue points accumulate.

It does sound a little generous:) Armies have moved at roughly the same rate since Roman times, largely limited by their baggage columns, and even mechanised armies would struggle to advance 30 miles a day for a lengthy period of time.

Smaller units such as individual regiments and brigades will be more mobile of course, as their columns are shorter.

Thanks for all your comment. Yes Khanscom fatigue does limit the distances but if weather is clear and traveling on roads they usually only incur 9 to possibly 12 fatigue points if I'm doing it right! Maybe if you are not a Murat you only expect twenty to twenty five (on roads) a day and only for a maximum of two days and then insist on a day's total rest.

Plus it seems prudent to limit cavalry movement as they will outrun their infantry support. Maybe only Cossacks are a rule unto themselves.