Why Does My Horse Speed Up When I Shoot?

annijauhiainen
Apr 13
2 min read

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 forward.

Rein Contact Dependency

If a horse is used to being ridden with constant rein contact, loosening the reins can feel like a release of control.

Some horses respond by:

increasing speed
losing balance
becoming tense

This is why removing reliance on rein contact is one of the most important early steps in training.

Rider Balance

Another common reason is the rider.

When preparing to shoot, the rider often:

shifts position
loses balance
tightens the legs

Even small changes can affect the horse.

If the rider becomes unstable, the horse may try to compensate — often by moving forward.

The Horse Is Not the Problem

It’s important to understand:

The horse is not reacting incorrectly. It is responding logically to unclear or conflicting signals.

Trying to “correct” the horse without changing the training usually makes the problem worse.

How to Fix It

The solution is not to push through the reaction.

It is to go back and rebuild the foundation.

This includes:

teaching the horse to move without rein contact
establishing clear speed control with seat and voice
ensuring the rider’s position stays consistent
introducing movement and shooting gradually

If the horse speeds up:

take contact calmly
return to a slower gait
rebuild relaxation
repeat the step

Progress only when the horse stays calm.

Why This Happens So Often

This issue appears when steps are skipped.

If shooting is introduced before the horse is truly relaxed and independent of rein contact, speed becomes the horse’s default response.

Over time, this can turn into anticipation.

A Better Approach

A well-trained mounted archery horse should:

maintain the same speed without rein contact
stay relaxed during shooting
respond to subtle aids

This is built step by step — not forced.

Want to Fix This Properly?

This exact problem is addressed early in the course“Archery Horse Training: From Basics to Performance.”

The course shows:

real horses reacting to these situations
why it happens
and how to fix it step by step

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

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

If your horse speeds up when you shoot, you’re not alone.

But it is fixable — with the right foundation.