Yes — but only up to a certain point. You can build a strong foundation for horseback archery without ever getting on a horse. You can learn: Shooting technique Efficient draw and release Shooting rhythm Body control and coordination All of this transfers directly to mounted shooting. What you cannot fully learn without a horse: Timing with movement Balance at speed Rein control while shooting Real shooting windows The most effective approach is progressive: Build your shooti

Mounted archery itself is not dangerous for the horse. Poor training is. Like in any discipline, the risk does not come from the equipment or the activity — but from how the horse is introduced to it. A well-trained horse experiences mounted archery as just another form of riding. A poorly prepared horse may experience it as stress. Where the Risk Comes From Problems usually appear when: steps are skipped the horse is rushed or the rider pushes forward despite tension For exa

Short answer: almost anyone — but not in the same way. Horseback archery combines two skills: riding and shooting. You don’t need to master both before starting, but you do need to understand where you’re starting from. If you are a rider: You already have balance, timing, and control. Adding archery is a technical extension. If you are an archer: You understand shooting — but the horse changes everything. Stability and timing will feel different at first. If you are complete

Short answer:Almost any horse can be trained for mounted archery. But not every horse should be trained the same way. Mounted archery is less about the horse’s breed or background — and more about its temperament, training, and how the process is handled. A calm, trainable horse with a good basic education will always be a better starting point than a naturally “brave” but tense or reactive one. What Actually Matters The most important qualities are: a stable temperament will

Starting archery doesn’t require much — but it does require doing the right things in the right order. First, keep the equipment simple.A basic recurve or traditional bow, matched arrows, and a safe target setup are enough. You don’t need high-end gear to begin. Second, focus on structure, not intensity. Most beginners try to shoot too much, too soon. Progress in archery comes from repetition with correct form, not from volume. Start with: Consistent stance Controlled draw A

One of the most common problems in mounted archery is this: You release the reins, prepare to shoot — and the horse speeds up. This is not a “bad habit”.It’s a training issue. The Real Reason In most cases, the horse has learned to associate one of the following with forward movement: loose reins loss of contact rider imbalance tension in the rider’s body When the rider prepares to shoot, all of these can happen at once. From the horse’s perspective, the signal is simple: go

Learning archery online is possible — but only up to a point. Online training works best for building a solid technical foundation. You can learn shooting form, understand alignment, develop consistency and follow structured exercises at your own pace. In many cases, this is more efficient than occasional in-person lessons, simply because you can repeat and revisit the material as often as needed. However, there are clear limitations. Archery is a physical skill. Small detail

Training a horse for mounted archery is not about teaching it to tolerate shooting. It’s about building the right foundation first. A horse that is relaxed, balanced, and responsive without rein contact will always be easier to train than one that relies on the rider’s hands for control. This is where the process starts. Before introducing any equipment, the horse should be able to: move calmly in all gaits maintain rhythm without rein contact respond to seat and voice aids W

From March 5–8, 2026, I taught a mounted archery course in Rovaniemi, Finland, organized by Ranch Kuulas. The course gathered a large group of participants, combining structured training with a relaxed and social atmosphere. Alongside focused practice, there was plenty of shared enjoyment throughout the camp. It was a pleasure to work with such a great group and see both progress and good team spirit develop over the days.

From February 19–22, 2026, the Challenge Accepted camp took place in Rovaniemi, Finland, organized by Ranch Kuulas. This sport-focused camp brought together a highly committed group of archers, ready to push their limits and take on new challenges. The level of focus and determination throughout the camp was exceptional. It was rewarding to guide such a strong group and see how well they rose to each challenge.

From August 15–17, 2025, I taught a mounted archery course in Alberta, Canada, in collaboration with Northern Lights Horseback Archery Club. The course brought together a large and engaged group of participants, creating a strong and positive training atmosphere throughout the weekend. It was great to work with such a motivated group. The energy and openness within the group made the training both productive and enjoyable.

A new online course is now available, focused on training a horse for mounted archery from the first steps to a reliable performance level. This course is built on over 10 years of experience and over a hundred horses. It provides a clear, step-by-step system showing both what to do — and what to avoid. Instead of showing only finished results, this course focuses on the actual process. The material includes real training situations with over 10 different horses. You will see

Our Online Courses have just been fully updated with brand new video material. All lessons have been re-filmed to make them clearer, more detailed, and easier to follow — whether you're just starting out or refining your technique. The courses now include over 45 new videos, covering: Basic fundamentals Advanced shooting Focused exercises Introduction to Slavic technique Introduction to Thumb technique The goal is simple: to give you a structured, step-by-step way to improve

A training diary built for sports that don’t fit into templates After years of tracking training in Excel, I finally reached a point where it was clear: this needed to exist as an app. Most training diary apps work well for mainstream sports, but once training becomes more specific, discipline-based metrics and flexibility quickly run out. For six years, Excel was the only option because it allowed me to track exactly what mattered — but it was far from practical, especially

If you’ve watched horseback archers from around the world, you’ve probably noticed that not everyone shoots the same way. Some use the Mediterranean technique — pulling the string with three fingers under or around the arrow — while others shoot using the thumb draw or the Slavic draw , each with their own rhythm and mechanics. All three are powerful and proven, but thumb and Slavic draws stand out for their speed, precision, and adaptability in horseback archery. So which

You’ve seen the videos — riders galloping fast, arrows flying with perfect rhythm. It looks wild, free, maybe even impossible.But here’s the truth: anyone can start horseback archery , as long as it’s done with patience, structure, and respect for the horse. 🐎 1️⃣ Learn to Ride First — Properly Before you ever pick up a bow, you need to be a confident and independent rider . That means being able to: 🌀 control your horse calmly and effectively in walk, trot, and canter 🪶 k

Become Part of an International Coaching Team I’m excited to announce that I’m taking a few new students to Team North Arrow! This is a unique opportunity for dedicated horseback archers. Our coaching is available online and spans the globe. Who We’re Looking For I seek riders who meet specific criteria: Experience : You should already have some experience in horseback archery. Competitive Goals : You must have aspirations at the national or international level. Commitment :

The mounted archery camp in Jämsä, Finland, held from July 24–27, 2025, was dedicated to skill development, with a friendly competition...

In July 2025, two mounted archery camps were held in the stunning Lapland region: General Camp (July 10–13, 2025) This camp provided...

On July 2, 2025, I taught a mounted archery course in Warsaw, Poland, in collaboration with Ranczo Malejodlo . The course offered...