[Horsebow] Horseback Archery

Dorset Lass

New member
Ironman
I would really like to have a go at horseback archery. I am a reasonably competant horse rider and I shoot a horse bow but make no claims as to my competance in that arena.

Someone has kindly pointed me in the direction of the British Horseback Archery Association and low and behold there is a club quite nearby me which does training once a month.

Does anyone else on here do horseback archery? If so how have you found it?
 

tinkerer

New member
I know nothing about horses, so no tips, but an interesting thread and look forward to hearing about how you've got on, if you decide to join. David
 

garryac

New member
I would really like to have a go at horseback archery. I am a reasonably competant horse rider and I shoot a horse bow but make no claims as to my competance in that arena.

Someone has kindly pointed me in the direction of the British Horseback Archery Association and low and behold there is a club quite nearby me which does training once a month.

Does anyone else on here do horseback archery? If so how have you found it?
You must try it its fantastic fun. As long as you can ride, i.e. you seat is ok... just let the horse get on with his job of taking you down the run, ( at the centre he will be well trained and know what to do) you concentrate on your archery. I had a lesson st the Centre for Horseback Combat in Sussex, for an article I had to write, It's very addictive, and I'm certainly going again, in fact I've just bought a horse bow!

Training started on the ground, at a standstill, then went onto nocking and shooting whilst running down the track, then graduated to being led at a walk on the horse, then led at the trot, (nocking the arrow at sitting trot is like trying to carry a tea tray on a pogo stick!...) Fast canter is by far the best pace as it seems to smooth everything out although doesn't give you as much time to nock aim and shoot. Here are some pics I took at the British Championships if you are interested.

Flickr: garryaca's Photostream
 

Dorset Lass

New member
Ironman
Wow garryac thanks so much for sharing!!! The photos look great and make me want to have a go even more!!!

I see that one of the contestants is shooting the same bow as me and using a thumb release - something which I want to work on. I understand that it is much more practicable for a horseback situation as the arrow is held more firmly on the bow.

There does not seem to be the same stringent rules about hard hats as you get in all other British equestrian events. It is very surprising to see people without any hard hat or in some cases with a hard hat which does not comply with the latest British Standard. I know it might sound fussy but I have been indoctrinated! If you turn up at a riding stables with an out of date (below spec) hat you will not be able to ride unless you borrow/hire an upto date one!!

Anyway the guys with the traditional non hard hats do look amazing!!

Do these people have their own horses or do they use a school one?
 

garryac

New member
Wow garryac thanks so much for sharing!!! The photos look great and make me want to have a go even more!!!

I see that one of the contestants is shooting the same bow as me and using a thumb release - something which I want to work on. I understand that it is much more practicable for a horseback situation as the arrow is held more firmly on the bow.

There does not seem to be the same stringent rules about hard hats as you get in all other British equestrian events. It is very surprising to see people without any hard hat or in some cases with a hard hat which does not comply with the latest British Standard. I know it might sound fussy but I have been indoctrinated! If you turn up at a riding stables with an out of date (below spec) hat you will not be able to ride unless you borrow/hire an upto date one!!

Anyway the guys with the traditional non hard hats do look amazing!!

Do these people have their own horses or do they use a school one?
I don't think there is a hard hat rule its up to the individual which is refreshing!... At the championships I think two or three people turned up on there own horses the rest used the centres horses.
I've been practising the thumb release in the garden I actually really like it I'm more acurate that way that with the fingers... I don't think its compulsary people where shooting using both methods I thing its which ever suits. Although I find useing the thumb relesae makes nocking the arrow much easier..pushing the arrow past the string and then pulling back to nock

Which bow do you have?
 

Dorset Lass

New member
Ironman
I have a Kaya Traditional Korean Bow which I bought from Quicks. It is 35lb draw weight but very smooth and I went from my 24lb recurve straight to that without a problem. I am very happy with it - lovely to shoot once you get used to it.

I was originally going to import a bow from Korea but common sense prevailed (unusual for me) and I decided to go for a cheaper option until I settle into the style.

Re the thumb release it seems difficult to get the fit of the thumb ring just right. I have had to use a strip of leather to pad the ring out a little. I have not seen anyone else use one in person so have not had the opportunity to see in detail the degree of fit that others find best.
 

garryac

New member
I have a Kaya Traditional Korean Bow which I bought from Quicks. It is 35lb draw weight but very smooth and I went from my 24lb recurve straight to that without a problem. I am very happy with it - lovely to shoot once you get used to it.

I was originally going to import a bow from Korea but common sense prevailed (unusual for me) and I decided to go for a cheaper option until I settle into the style.

Re the thumb release it seems difficult to get the fit of the thumb ring just right. I have had to use a strip of leather to pad the ring out a little. I have not seen anyone else use one in person so have not had the opportunity to see in detail the degree of fit that others find best.
The kaya looks realy nice, I have a 35lb Grozer Old Scythian... I'm still getting used to it...although I'm not sure that the draw is long enough for my big gangly arms. When I get better I'll have to upgrade I think. As for thumb rings..I have one that came with the bow ..I can't fall in love with It. I do what apparently lots of people do just wrap surgical tape around my thumb! I find it gives a lot more control and feel than the thumb ring.
 

N.Vodden

New member
Ironman
I found a hard thumb ring difficult to get on with as well. I borrowed one off a friend at the club and found it felt like the string was about to get away constantly, about to slide off it. Instead i'm using a simple leather thumb ring that was made for me by the same person, just a simple tab to cover the thumb, and the 2 parts laced at the back to keep it together. It works a dream! Feels smooth and comfy to shoot with!

Garryac, your post reminds me of something I was wondering. The thumb ring is illegal in trad as it is considered a release aid ( thats another arguement ) but finger tape is permitted. Would using tape to pad the thumb be allowed as the issue seems to be with the ring, not the drawing style?
 

Dorset Lass

New member
Ironman
i'm using a simple leather thumb ring that was made for me ...

The thumb ring is illegal in trad as it is considered a release aid ( thats another arguement ) but finger tape is permitted. Would using tape to pad the thumb be allowed as the issue seems to be with the ring, not the drawing style?
Hi N.Vodden your experience with the thumb ring describes perfectly what I have found. It feels like the string is going to slip out at any moment - very unnerving indeed. I like the sound of the leather pad.

When I read your post I went straight to my yellow NFAS book to look up the rules for traditional but can't find it. Are you talking GNAS field here?
 

N.Vodden

New member
Ironman
Hi N.Vodden your experience with the thumb ring describes perfectly what I have found. It feels like the string is going to slip out at any moment - very unnerving indeed. I like the sound of the leather pad.

When I read your post I went straight to my yellow NFAS book to look up the rules for traditional but can't find it. Are you talking GNAS field here?
Oops! Sorry should have mentioned that, aye its under GNAS Field that the thumb ring is not allowed.
 

Dorset Lass

New member
Ironman
If you do manage to get a clear answer out of the GNAS regarding the use of a thumb tab as opposed to a thumb ring please can you post it on here. It would be good to know.
Thanks very much.
 

garryac

New member
I'm not sure at all about the thumb ring, but surely a taped thumb is ok....isn't it more to protect the thumb then aid release?

I'm sure my home made leather grip would be a bit of a rule bender as it's made from quite thick saddle flap leather and does make a bit of a ledge :scratchch
 

N.Vodden

New member
Ironman
I'm not sure at all about the thumb ring, but surely a taped thumb is ok....isn't it more to protect the thumb then aid release?

I'm sure my home made leather grip would be a bit of a rule bender as it's made from quite thick saddle flap leather and does make a bit of a ledge :scratchch
Sounds like the impromptu arrow shelf I have on my hun for shooting it with a 3 finger draw. Posted pics of it on this thread... http://www.archery-interchange.net/.../28274-horsebow-frustration-2.html#post383017

Mainly shoot the Tartar bow off the thumb, but when I use the hun its off my hand and that ledge isnt used.
 

garryac

New member
Sounds like the impromptu arrow shelf I have on my hun for shooting it with a 3 finger draw. Posted pics of it on this thread... http://www.archery-interchange.net/.../28274-horsebow-frustration-2.html#post383017

Mainly shoot the Tartar bow off the thumb, but when I use the hun its off my hand and that ledge isnt used.


Yes, it does look a lot like that , but it's from much thicker leather, some old saddle flap leather I had left from something else..I'll post a pic when I have a chance
 

Dorset Lass

New member
Ironman
An update on my quest to learn horseback archery. It looks like I will be able to have a session in mid October, so fingers crossed if it comes together I will report back on here afterwards!

A question for garryac...Did you use four fletched arrows when you were doing horseback archery? I read somewhere that these enable you to nock and shoot without looking. I did wonder because I do not want to have to refletch my arrows at this stage and hope that conventional fletching will be OK while learning.
 

garryac

New member
An update on my quest to learn horseback archery. It looks like I will be able to have a session in mid October, so fingers crossed if it comes together I will report back on here afterwards!

A question for garryac...Did you use four fletched arrows when you were doing horseback archery? I read somewhere that these enable you to nock and shoot without looking. I did wonder because I do not want to have to refletch my arrows at this stage and hope that conventional fletching will be OK while learning.
We used three fletched, just have to make surethey are all they same way round in your belt or quiver so that when you grab them them your thumb is between they hen feathers and you can push the arrow past they string and pull back to nock
 

Dorset Lass

New member
Ironman
We used three fletched, just have to make surethey are all they same way round in your belt or quiver so that when you grab them them your thumb is between they hen feathers and you can push the arrow past they string and pull back to nock
Thanks for that garryac. I can see that there will a lot to take in on my first session. A whole new vista of archery is opening up!
 

ChakaZulu

New member
Horseback archery is an awesome game! I competed 'in' (not sure why my phone is putting that in inverted commas...) the competition shown 'in' (???) the flickr album (none of them is me: I was commentating at that point) and I'm just back from the European Championships this weekend. I'm also on the committee of the British Horseback Archery Association and I ride at the Centre for Horseback Combat 'in' Sussex (I live near Arundel), so do pm me with any questions.

Hats are not required but not frowned on. I always wear one, but some don't. Horses are provided at the Centre (and wonderful horses they are too) and at competitions. Little riding ability is needed. You basically have to be able to sit on a cantering horse without holding on. Im not a good rider but the horse knows what to do, so steering is unnecessary. In any event, the riding lessons at the Centre are excellent: my riding has improved loads 'in' only a few lessons.

Hope that helps, do reply or pm with any questions.
 
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