Have you tried going Companion heavy? I don't know what age you are in, but going in with 2 or 3 companions is useless. If you are early stage Classical or Iron Age, go in with 7-10 bows and the rest Companions. You won't run into very many stables which is why you need phalanx, hoplite or whatever it is you have at your age. The bows are there to support your Companions. While the Comps take down defensive buildings, the bows take down defensive troops.