nice I didnt think about using them this way. Totally abusive though

Easiest thing to do is to remove the ability that automatically lets the units act first in battle. It's not that interesting an ability and opens the door for all sorts of abuse. Removing it would be good because other abilities could then be left untouched.

Yeah I run an Altar cavalry army with Charge and Horses, no Boar spear yet. It's not as overpowered as you think because Charge only applies for their first turn. Letting them act first with Impulsive just guarantees they go first. Although it is pretty stupid to build a game around initiative and then throw in an ability that bypasses it. But then again every faction has the ability to make use of it.

Rush is nice though, it definitely favors cavalry. I run axes with my cavalrymen tho because cleave just seems so devastating. I might try a boarspear unit or two tho as I'm researching Blacksmithing now (went Civic)

Edit: Oh wait a minute you didn't even figure in charge, how could you not it's an extra 3 tiles plus 3 attack. On a horse with Rush you can pretty much go from one end of the battlefield to the other in a single turn. I think I just improved upon your strat