Sauromatian units

[sector24]

What are the best non-archer units to produce outside your capital? In general I don't like spending 40+ gold on any unit with 10hp, so the higher end horse units don't appeal to me. The amazons are ok, but I'd much rather produce archers, which is Sauromatia's strength. I feel like I'm doing something wrong using indy infantry in the mid-game.

Someone suggested using the armored horse archers in front of the regular archers, I haven't tried that yet. Is that what most people do?