This is what gives horse artillery its appeal to generals: the ability to rapidly give fire from almost anywhere on the battlefield. The weight of fire is considered to be less important than the speed with which it can be moved to a firing position, deployed, and then removed to a new site. The cannons assigned to horse artillery units usually fire relatively small calibre rounds although, as always, the weight of shot is used to designate different horse artillery types. Horse artillery units are distinguished from other types of artillery forces because everyone rides into battle: drivers ride the horses, while gun crews are often given seats on the gun limbers. Intended to keep up with rapidly-advancing mounted forces, horse artillery batteries have a touch of “cavalry dash” about them.
