My cattle raid quota is 10 footmen and 10 thanes. I seem to have a fair
amount of success with it and it gives you a decent fighting chance if
spotted.
> I generally send 1 footman and 11-14 weaponthanes on cattle raids. I have > Thunderstone up, and Sureshot if I have it. If I get caught, I choose > Plunder/Skirmish and usually end up OK.