Horses and longbows?

[Kentucky Jeff]

I ride a Belgian mare.  She shys at Roll Bales.   I have no idea why.  She eats the things in winter.  
But I can't tell you how many times we've been on a gallop with the rest of the foxhunt and we come across a field with some roll bales in it and she will try to run wide from those evil hay bales.  Of course I now anticipate this and giver her some leg and shorten the reins just so she knows.  But she'll do it like clockwork every time she runs past a bale of hay unless I manage her.  

She's as honest as the day is long over jumps and fences and most people can't believe that big draft horse pulls up her front feet and clears jumps like she does.  And is other ways she has a great head on her.  Usually I can give her her head on a steep downhill slope and she does a great job even when her back feet begin sliding.

She's so big that its hard to get a leg on her and she's not as well schooled as some horses in this regard.  A short person would never be able to use leg corrections on her.  

Becky is very particular about her mouth and will not tolerate someone who has bad hands.  Hang in her mouth or try to waterski on her and you will not be in for a pleasant experience.

Deer and dogs don't bother her a bit.

Around here you can take riding lessons for about $40 for an hour of instruction.  Most folks will need about 6-8 hours in the saddle to at least know the basics.  But the ONLY way you get competent and fit on a horse if by spending time on the horse.    

Always remember there are two kinds of riders:  Those who have fallen off and those who are gonna fall off.   I've been knocked unconscious twice coming off horses.  Once when my horse stepped in a big hole as we were cantoring down a hill.  Another time when we took a jump and he jigged right and I jigged left on the far side of the coop.  T

[Scott Teaschner]

Don I know it is low It is one of the first things I stated. It is adjustable but when you bring it up under your leg it tourqes the back end of the bow out. Traditonal bows have little weight it is hard to balance them like a gun or compound bow. I was worried about it so I purposely ran it it to things both with me on and of the horse. Because it is light and not solidly fixed to the saddle it moves out off the way very easilly. Again I say there is no great way to carry them but it is what I feel is the best.

[Ron LaClair]

A rifle scabbard works for a longbow

   

On this occasion I had a back quiver made with two sleeve pockets on the back to slide each limb of my two piece longbow into. The main body of the quiver held my arrow loaded bow quiver

   

[Converml]

Originally posted by Scott Teaschner:
[QB] what you just explained can happen to a seasoned horse or a green horse. Horses for thousands of years are accustomed to fleeing when danger presents itself. We will never breed that out of them. Some horse are better than others and handle situations different just as humans do under stressfull situations. Your horse has a mind of it's own.


It's so true I trust my mare as much as any horse but just like us you may not be a jumpy person but there are times you get caught. Horses minds will wander and no matter can get surprised no matter how well trained. Ex. When I was dating my wife we were bareback  on a 20 year old could care less if you kicked him gelding raise around electric fences all his life. While talking at the fence line with friends he eventually got board and I remember in slow motion watching him do the stupidest thing I ever saw he with glazed eyes sniffed the fence . Needless to say that was the first time we rolled around together. Respect horses as a living being not a 4 wheeler get to know them and enjoy.  

As far as bow are concerned we us recurves and LONG bows there is a reason plains Indians had short bows for horses. So in regard to bows its making the best of things and as you see there are some good ideas, but Don't expect ideal cause these bows were mainly made for walking yeomen.    

[amicus]

Very good advise. I always thought that an extra long riffle scabbard would work just fine, as pictured in Rons post. If I get drawn this year it will be my first with a recurve. On the way in it will be broken down in my pack but not sure how I will carry while riding to my hunting spots.

 I really like your scabbard, Scott.

You can skip riding practive if your from Texas
Its natural for us.    

Gilbert

[Converml]

[Scott Teaschner]

Sounds like a true Texan    .

[Wickles]

Scott fixed me up with a scabbard last year. I spent 10 days in BC riding 4 to 6 hours a day and the scabbard was worth it's wait in gold. Once I got it adjusted right, I never had to worry about it. It kept the bow in there tight and protected. Here are a couple of pics of it in action.


 


 

[Scott Teaschner]

Thanks for posting that Will. I put multiple slots along the top this provides adjustment how ever one wants to use it. You can strap it down in a boat, 4 wheeler, outside on a float plane     . How Will has his rigged is generaly how I carry mine. In the picture I showed was a little low but we where headed out on clean trails. I like the tip level with my stirup for the most part.

[vernon]

I hunt a ton with horses so with that being said I've ridden all my life and spend majority of my time in the high country on horses/mules.

 We usually hike from our base camp but if we are riding its not too far and its just to tie off and start hiking.  My buddies and I all carry our bows in our hands and if you get tired we place the lower limb on the top of our boot.  Some of my buddies are extreme novice horseback riders so I give them their bow once they are mounted.  We've had our fair share of wrecks and if it was a bad one we would just toss our bows off to the side.  The damage from the toss is no more than a bow in the scabbard on a horse/mule crashing into trees, pack string, and/or rolling over.  

I would definatley use some of these scabbards listed they look awesome and well worth the investment and safety.  

I should also note this is usually how we carry our bows after we reach campe and just riding to hunting/hiking spots. if I'm leading a packstring in I take my longbow down (I shoot all 3pc longbows) and throw it on a pack horse/mule.

Good luck
James

[Jake Fr]

I've have cowboyed the better half of my life an there is nothing more valuble than good horseman ship skills when packing out and every thing makes the diferance when riding your feet and hands should comunicate with each other I like scotts idea

Ps hey scott that's a really nice roig your sittin you make that one

[Scott Teaschner]

Yes Sir I did Jake and thanks for the compliment. I had to carve my initials in the horn so I would not sell it. When I worked up in Montana I would sell the saddle I rode in and build me a new one in the winter. Well we moved to Cody and I went to working in the saddle shop and was not afforded the time to build me a new rig. So for a couple of years I rode in borrowed saddles it was not fun. Any way when I quite the shop I took the time to build my new rig. It is built on a Rick Reed tree out of Bozeman MT. Its a Wade with a gudalhara horn rigged with a 7/8 flat plate inskirt to eliminate weight and bulk but super strong. I love this saddle the seat is perfect The saddle I borrowed had some sharp corners ouch! If I build another I will still keep this one but I would like to make a back country model that is a little lighter. Thanks for noticeing Jake.

[Jake Fr]

Yeah good gear is always an eye catcher. I'm looking for a big swell asosiation with a big horn for startin colts