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I have heard much about traps and pitfalls and the like in this thread... but this brings a question to my mind... has anyone actually seen any record in any battle of middle-earth that speaks of field fortifications, or the use of such things as wire and traps? I for one have not, with the sole exception of the wall surrounding the Pelennor fields, which was abandoned as being undefensible in the afce of Sauron's onslaught.
It seems to me that there is not much in the way of stratgey or formation in the combats of middle-earth. The fighting to me seems more of the "old" style, ie pre-Roman British wildmen charges. I have heard no tell of shield walls, or wedges for cavalry, or any mixed formation of pikes and archers. It seems to be all charge and counter-charge. However, to be fair, the most detailed battle accounts I have seen come from the Silmarillion, so perhaps tactics did evolve over the course of a few ages? I doubt it.
The account of the Battle of the Five Armies, which conveniently enough demonstrates the use of wolf-riders, was, as far as I could tell, a shoving match between the two sides. The elves and men took up positions on the arms of the mountain, the dwarves took their stand at the base, and then the black tide swept into them. Here begins the shoving match, as the elves and men sallied forth from the mountainside, pushing back the goblins and wolves with great slaughter, until Bolg and his bodyguard brought up reinforcements and pushed the allies back up the mountain.
Also referenced in that battle, it is said the Elven-King brought archers and spearmen, but no mention is made of any formation. The battles seem to be a mass of one-on-one fights rather than formations and companies brought to bear against each other.
On another note, pertaining to combat in Middle-earth, personal defense doesn't seem to be an issue to most parties involved. The Rangers of the North on the fields of the Pelennor had either swords, spears, or bows, but no mention was made of armor or shields of any sort. The wood elves encountered by The Grey Company in Lorien carried bows and swords; again no armor. However, I also assume these troops are not meant to be infantry, per se, so this may account for the lack of armor. How heavily armored are most middle-earth combatants?
I have deviated however. The best way to take a charge of wargs (ridden or unridden) is definitely NOT with cavalry. I doubt the horses could stand to charge the wolves, plus the use of horse as weapon is lost, because the warg is a much better weapon. Heavy infantry is the only way to do it, regardless of how they are equipped. I bet dwarves would do well, as axes could do horrible damage to both wolf and rider. Sorry for rambling, it's my first post and I got excited.
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