Horseback Archery

That's what I've been practicing with: straw bales. But the range area doubles as a pasture, and I think the 5 horses in there may eat and or otherwise destroy it. I guess I could move it each time. Maybe make my horse drag it. Haha.

Here's a picture of the area

So I'm planning on making the track at the bottom of the hill along the fence and shooting into the hill.
I may set up a single strand of two inch tape at shoulder height along the hill side of the track, so theres a fence on one side and the tape on the other. What do you guys think?

Its perfect!! And if you make a standing-stand, it should be light weight enough to be moved. I know the one I use in my classes is. Your hill looks like it was meant to be an archery track! When can I come over and practice haha jk! Be sure and show us when it's up and running! Ooo and take video of you too!

Yeee! I'm so excited. I'm borrowing some targets from my pastor, my husband is hopefull getting them today when he meets with him. I will definitely share pictures and videos. I need to start desensitizing my horse first. I let her smell it and I twanged the string a few times and she didn't care at all. I think she has the perfect attitude for this. She's an epic lesson horse and does well with anything I throw at her. And picks up this awesome smooth lope with just a little outside leg and a kiss. I am SO excited. I have visions of doing loops around the track and shooting when I go by the archery range. Ah! So excited.

I guess I didn't fill you guys in on what the 'track' will be. We're going to build a track that goes through that area, up a hill and around the outside of this big pasture. So it will be sort of like a mini trail with an archery range.

I DEMAND VIDEOS AND PICS!!!!!! I'm so excited! I've been scrutinizing that article you posted on how to train your horse. It is REALLY good. I'm going to ask my trainer and BM about if I can tack up a target on the hay and practice and see what my mare does. She doesn't have the best canter tho...it is something we are working on. Now to decide: prep for the show in three weeks, or forget the show and start archery-ing!

Oh I will! It will probably take quite a while to get everything in place, but for now I can at least throw down some hay bales and shoot at those. Yeah, wasn't that article good? I like that they take a long time with it. It reminded me 'no, you can't just jump on and start shooting' I'd probably die. Lol. This will take training just like everything else.

Me too!! I really thought I was going to get on and shoot. Hello, no, you aren't. You'll die right away, haha. I actually asked my trainer about setting something up in the hay shed for me to work with. I can't do exactly like they can in the article...I might have to skip to step 6 and just have someone hold her while I shoot. Luckily she isn't spoky for the most part, I just lack resources to desensitize her. Hopefully the BM will be ok with it.

Yeah! I know. I'm in the same spot right now. Except I don't really have anyone who could even hold her. I might just tie her pretty far away and shoot. I might be able to put a bale of straw like in her paddock area pretty much and shoot that. I really don't think she's going to have a huge problem with it. But I don't want to find out for the first time cantering in a field with a bunch of sharp objects. Lol. I'm getting targets on Sunday. How many pastors have archery targets? Lot alone that they will lend to you. Lol. I'm playing bass for worship in the am, getting some targets from the church, and then heading out to the ranch to set them up. Haha. I'm so excited.

That is really funny they are coming from a pastor, lol. I asked my trainer about it, but haven't gotten an answer. I think I'm going to throw my archery stuff in my car just in case its a go. And yeah, somehow I can see myself doing that. "Oh, Dreamer isn't spooky. She will be fine. Canter, girl!" *run* *twang* *huge buck/spook* *lying dead ont he ground* hahaha. Best take it slow, yes? Let me know how it goes for you tomorrow!