The corps was formed on mobilization of the German Army in August 1914 and dissolved in January 1915 as the onset of trench warfare negated the requirement for large cavalry formations.

It was commanded throughout its existence by General der Kavallerie Gustav Freiherr von Hollen.

Initially, the Corps simply consisted of 2 Cavalry Divisions (with 2 Jäger battalions attached) without any Corps troops; in supply and administration matters, the Cavalry Divisions were entirely autonomous.

[2] On formation in August 1914, the Corps consisted of:[3] Each cavalry division consisted of 3 cavalry brigades (6 regiments each of 4 squadrons), a horse artillery battalion Abteilung (3 four-gun batteries), a machine gun detachment (company size, 6 MGs), plus pioneers, signals and a motor vehicle column.

[4] IV Cavalry Corps was commanded throughout its existence by General der Kavallerie Gustav Freiherr von Hollen.