Do You Need to Be an Advanced Rider to Train a Mounted Archery Horse?

annijauhiainen
May 2
2 min read

Short answer:No.

But you do need a clear system.

You don’t need to be an advanced rider to train a horse for mounted archery.

What matters more is how the training is structured.

What Actually Matters

Training a mounted archery horse is not about riding at a high level.

It is about:

building the right foundation
progressing step by step
and keeping the horse relaxed throughout the process

If the system is clear, the training becomes predictable — for both horse and rider.

Where Problems Usually Come From

Difficulties rarely come from the rider’s skill level alone.

More often, they come from:

skipping steps
introducing shooting too early
or progressing before the horse is relaxed

This can lead to:

tension
speed increase
or confusion

The Role of the Rider

The rider still plays an important role.

You should be able to:

ride in all gaits
stay balanced
and avoid sudden changes in position

But you do not need advanced techniques.

Consistency and stability are more important than skill level.

The Horse Is the Priority

A well-trained horse makes the entire process easier.

A poorly prepared horse makes even simple things difficult.

This is why the focus should be on:

how the horse is introduced to each step
and how clearly the process is built

A More Practical Approach

Instead of aiming for advanced riding skills first, focus on:

clear progression
repetition
and relaxation

When the horse understands the process, the rider’s job becomes significantly easier.

The Goal

The goal is not to perform.

It is to build a horse that:

stays calm
understands the work
and remains consistent

This can be achieved without being an advanced rider — if the training is done correctly.

Want a Clear System to Follow?

The course“Archery Horse Training: From Basics to Performance”focuses exactly on this.

It provides a step-by-step system for training the horse safely and systematically, regardless of whether you are training your first horse or refining your approach.

You’ll see:

real training situations
different horses and starting points
and how each step is built in practice

👉 View the course:https://www.northarrow.fi/online-courses

👉 Access via the app:https://wix.app/mobile.apps/Ion3xMI?ref=cl