I understand that in medieval warfare, cavalry was used more as a mobile unit and for threat, rather than actual combat. I was made to understand in previous /r/askhistorians answers that in front of organized infantry spear formations, even experienced and disciplined warhorses would falter the charge.
Thus, I have a few questions.
Usually, how deep/dense would the cavalry formations be? I would imagine that if the frontline of a cavalry charge falters or slows down, it would be disastrous for the horses and men behind them. Or if they do succeed in a charge and breaks into the enemy formation, wouldn't the speed of the frontline still slow down considerably, leading to the horsemen behind to crash into their own allies?
What was the casualty rate like for knights - or any heavy shock cavalry for that matter - in mid- and late medieval period? I imagine even with heavy armour, the impact of a heavy charge would not be merciful to these knights. However I see cases as with the battle of Agincourt, where the French knights and lords join the charge excitedly believing they could easily shatter the English army. Surely that would mean being the frontline of a heavy cavalry charge is not as dangerous as one might imagine?
In Total War games, if a cavalry charge is not enough to shatter the enemy, a common strategy would be to pull the horsemen out for a second or third charge. My question is: how easy would a repeated charge be? Wouldn't the frontline that was already engaged in melee be greatly decimated, since they have to turn their horses around and start galloping from stop, all while they are being hacked at by the infantry who surrounded them?
Before heavy armour became a thing, wouldn't cavalry, men and horses alike, be basically committing suicide with each charge as they had no protection against the impact?
In Medieval II Total War, a group of about 40 heavy horsemen could charge straight into about 200 peasant spearmen and rout them instantly. Usually, when peasant troops are faced with a direct cavalry charge, would it be likely for them to hold out?