This bow-armed cavalry could loose their arrows as they advanced in the early stages of their charge with the intention of weakening and demoralizing the enemy formation prior to the moment of shock, possibly in shower shooting style. While the enemy was usually capable of countering with equal measures of ranged combat, the horse archers often wore protective equipment, so the changeover from light to heavy cavalry is not always clear and it seems in cases they formed the second charging rank.
This bow-wielding, mounted troops could fire their arrows as they advanced in the early stages of their charge with the goal of weakening and demoralizing the enemy formation before making a crushing impact. The enemy usually countered with similar ranged attacks, but the horse archers often wore protective clothing, which blurs the line between light and heavy cavalry, and sometimes they even took on a secondary role in the assault.