Thanks for doing this series! I've been looking for resources to get more involved in mounted archery and so far what I've found has more focus on the archery than the horse. Which is obviously fine and important, but it's nice to see it approached from the other direction as well. Right now things have been going pretty well for me, but I'm struggling a bit with keeping control once I have to drop my reins to get both hands on the bow. I hope you continue this series so we can see some saddle work and maybe get some tips there!
You'll need to do a lot with the horse to get them responding without reins. You should be able to ride without using your reins at all. Go, stop, turn left and right and move both the front and back end independently with just your legs and body. From there you just work up :) Should work out
First step: Ride without iron in the horses mouth.. You will see the horse generally likes, the iron is not needed at all mostly. Step two: : ride with your reins long, use one hand only and let the horse walk, figure out how to steer with your weight and slight movements with your legs. Actually it is what you need to do when riding normal too, only slightly pull one side or another when necessary. You will learn from the response of the horse. Start with steps, then light riding. When it feels good you can canter, can grip the saddle if needed, You always have the reins as emergency brake and your voice too. When this works step 3 tie your reins and leave them on the horse. Do not touch and step, then light riding. This is amazing... you will feel the freedom. Can do some movements (turn left, right, hands on your head) excellent exercise for normal riding too! Again, reins and iron are in fact not needed. You will feel the horse likes it and gets used to it as you will. Step 4 take of the reins and only use a rope around the neck of the horse. Only touch there rope when needed, only the feel of the rope on the side of the neck will made the horse respond. Enjoy, I found out myself and it is so much fun for you and the horse alike. When you feel good with this you can add carrying a bow etc etc...Ps I found that talking gently to the horse helps big time in reassuring it and it will take voice commands for stopping, going slower etc.
Solid.. hahaha, yes, very solid. She has lost a bit of weight recently, which is a relief, proof that exercise can really take the pounds off while changing nothing else. She's very calm and has come a long long ways. Very proud of her
Baby Gracie reminds me of a young Justin Bieber flicking his head to get his bangs just right. 😂. She doesn’t like her tail maybe she feels the same about her forelock so she tosses her head to move it off her face. 😳
![Seungmin "그렇게, 천천히, 우리(As we are)" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kAzmhLHePqU/mqdefault.jpg)
Obviously dealing with a horse demands a lot of calmness. You have that. Joy to watch.
Lena is a good girl, she trusts you so much. Great fun watching these archery videos!
Yup, she's amazing!
Thanks for doing this series! I've been looking for resources to get more involved in mounted archery and so far what I've found has more focus on the archery than the horse. Which is obviously fine and important, but it's nice to see it approached from the other direction as well.
Right now things have been going pretty well for me, but I'm struggling a bit with keeping control once I have to drop my reins to get both hands on the bow. I hope you continue this series so we can see some saddle work and maybe get some tips there!
You'll need to do a lot with the horse to get them responding without reins. You should be able to ride without using your reins at all. Go, stop, turn left and right and move both the front and back end independently with just your legs and body. From there you just work up :) Should work out
First step: Ride without iron in the horses mouth.. You will see the horse generally likes, the iron is not needed at all mostly. Step two: : ride with your reins long, use one hand only and let the horse walk, figure out how to steer with your weight and slight movements with your legs. Actually it is what you need to do when riding normal too, only slightly pull one side or another when necessary. You will learn from the response of the horse. Start with steps, then light riding. When it feels good you can canter, can grip the saddle if needed, You always have the reins as emergency brake and your voice too. When this works step 3 tie your reins and leave them on the horse. Do not touch and step, then light riding. This is amazing... you will feel the freedom. Can do some movements (turn left, right, hands on your head) excellent exercise for normal riding too! Again, reins and iron are in fact not needed. You will feel the horse likes it and gets used to it as you will. Step 4 take of the reins and only use a rope around the neck of the horse. Only touch there rope when needed, only the feel of the rope on the side of the neck will made the horse respond. Enjoy, I found out myself and it is so much fun for you and the horse alike. When you feel good with this you can add carrying a bow etc etc...Ps I found that talking gently to the horse helps big time in reassuring it and it will take voice commands for stopping, going slower etc.
Great suggestions! Thanks for taking the time to comment and contribute 😊
Great, that looks so much fun !
it is!
I was just about to say that Lena is... well... solid. :) But you'd mentioned she lost a little weight. But she is such a calm horsie.
Solid.. hahaha, yes, very solid. She has lost a bit of weight recently, which is a relief, proof that exercise can really take the pounds off while changing nothing else. She's very calm and has come a long long ways. Very proud of her
Hi Lena, What breed is she?
We were told she's an oldenburg draft
Baby Gracie reminds me of a young Justin Bieber flicking his head to get his bangs just right. 😂. She doesn’t like her tail maybe she feels the same about her forelock so she tosses her head to move it off her face. 😳
ha! no kidding... that seems about right. Wait until you see the next video of her!