As well as units of warriors fighting on foot, the armies of the Warhammer World include troops riding horses, giant wolves, spiders and other creatures.

Horse-sized creatures and their riders are referred to as cavalry. Bigger creatures are referred to as monsters and these have special rules as described later. Rules for cavalry are discussed throughout the game where appropriate.

The difference between monsters and cavalry is defined by the number of Wounds the creature has on its characteristic profile. If a mount has 1 Wound it is a cavalry model; if it has more than 1 Wound it is a monster. Examples of cavalry models include troops riding horses, warhorses, Elven steeds, giant wolves, warboars, spiders and any other mounts that have 1 Wound on their characteristic profile.

A cavalry model is treated in all respects as a single model. Should the rider be slain the entire model is removed from the battle.

Cavalry models use the rider's Leadership characteristics value for all tests that require it. When the model is attacked it is the rider's Toughness and Wounds which are used. The mount's Toughness, Wounds and Leadership are never used, but are included on its characteristic profile because such creatures sometimes appear on their own or pulling chariots.