🏹 How to Start Horseback Archery

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

🪶 keep your balance without relying on the reins

🤝 communicate with your horse through your seat and legs, not your hands

If you don’t yet feel comfortable riding freely in all gaits, that’s perfectly fine — focus on improving your riding first.Horseback archery is built on the foundation of good horsemanship.

2️⃣ Train the Horse Before You Shoot ⚠️

This is the step that many people rush — and it’s the most important one.

👉 Do NOT start shooting from a horse that isn’t trained for it.

Even calm horses can react strongly to the sound, motion, or vibration of a bowstring.

Before introducing a bow:

🐴 Teach your horse to stay relaxed with unusual movements around them

🔊 Let them hear the sound of the bow and arrows on the ground

🎯 Build trust step by step — your horse must understand that nothing dangerous is happening

A well-prepared horse is the difference between a smooth learning experience and a dangerous one.

If you’d like to understand the process and safe progression more deeply, take a look at my online courses:👉 Online Courses – North Arrow

They include step-by-step lessons on equipment, safety, and technique — perfect for building solid foundations before involving your horse.

3️⃣ Start Archery on the Ground 🏹

When your riding and your horse’s trust are ready, the next step is not yet horseback archery — it’s ground archery.

Learn to:

🎯 handle the bow confidently

💨 load and release efficiently

🧠 develop rhythm and focus

Once you can shoot instinctively and safely on the ground, adding the horse becomes much easier — and far less stressful for both of you.

4️⃣ Combine Skills — Slowly and Safely

Only when both you and your horse are ready should you start putting things together.Begin at walk, short sessions, no pressure.Gradually build towards trotting and cantering once control, confidence, and calmness are consistent.

If you want a safe and inspiring place to learn all this in person, you can join one of my courses or camps:👉 Upcoming Courses & Events

These sessions are designed to help you progress step by step — from groundwork to confident riding and shooting.

🌟 Final Thought

Horseback archery isn’t about speed or showing off — it’s about harmony, timing, and trust.Learn to ride well, train your horse patiently, and respect each step of the process.

That’s how real progress — and real connection — is built.The first arrow from a truly calm, trusting horse will be worth every hour of preparation. 🏹🐎💫