10 or 11 in.; which employ horses of all kinds for mounting the troops.
All cavalry must receive the same instruction; and all should be capable, in case of need, of performing any of the duties of mounted troops.

The shock is the principal effect produced by this arm; therefore, the greater the velocity the greater must be this effect, provided the troops can be kept in mass.

But it is found, by experience, that it is impossible to preserve them in line when put to the height of their speed.

The best authorities therefore prefer, as we have said elsewhere, the charge at the trot, or at any rate the gallop should not be taken up till within a very short distance of the enemy.

The charge of a compact mass at a trot is much greater than that of a wavering one at a gallop.
On the field of battle the cavalry of the line is considered as the arm of the shock, to break through any corps that may be in opposition; but it is unable of itself to resist a shock, and therefore should on no account wait to receive the charge of another body of mounted troops.