Mostly popular in Eastern European countries, the horse bow or the reflex bow is a special kind of recurve bow. These types of bows have been in use for ages and are a great choice if you want a feel of the olden days.
Although the usage of horse bows are quite old, the bow is quite dangerous. Horse bows were and still are used for hunting wild animals or birds. They’re also great for casual and recreational purposes.
If you’re on the hunt for the best horse bow, look no further. In this article, we are going to give you thorough horse bow reviews. You’ll get to see which brands have the best bows and what their specialty is.
Contents
- Top 5 Horse Shooting and Hunting Bows in 2021
- #1) KAINOKAI Traditional Handmade Longbow Horsebow
- #2) TOPARCHERY Traditional Recurve Bow
- #3) Longbowmaker Hungarian Style Handmade Longbow
- #4) ArcheryMax Handmade Mongolian Style Longbow
- #5) Huntingdoor Archery 55” Traditional Recurve Bow
- Things to Consider before You Buy a Horse Bow
- Horse Bow vs. Recurve – What Are the Differences?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Words
In a hurry? This is our Winner!
KAINOKAI Traditional Handmade Longbow Horsebow
- Long type bow that a lot of people can use
- Suitable for both left and right-handed archers
- Classy bow arm made with epoxy and covered with leather
Types of Horse Bows
A horse bow is not just one kind of bow. Many types of horse bows are each different and unique in their way.
Some of these include:
- Traditional
You’ll recognize this the moment you see one. They have that classic curved almost ‘C’ type bend. What makes traditional horse bows so popular is how much you can customize them. Draw lengths, bow lengths, and weight all can be altered according to our liking without affecting the performance or quality of this bow.
Being one of the most affordable types amongst all the horse bows, this type of bows attracts a lot of customers and is great for beginners. Also, something that is great is that they are compatible with both left and right-handed people.
- Hungarian
These bows are comparatively larger. They range from 50 to 54 inches and have good draw lengths as well. Tall people who are looking for large bows would love this one. Available in a few weights, these are customizable and one of the products most commonly used bows by archers.
- Mongolian
Made with old and classic methods of manufacturing, these are preferred by any hunter. They are mostly handcrafted and have leather covers, which gives them a very classy and robust look. Even if people don’t need a strong and sturdy bow such as this one, they prefer to keep it in their collection.
Our Favorite Hunting Bows for Horseback in 2021
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Our Top Pick
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KAINOKAI Traditional Handmade Longbow Horsebow |
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TOPARCHERY Traditional Recurve Bow |
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Longbowmaker Hungarian Style Handmade Longbow |
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Check Price |
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Huntingdoor Handmade Recurve Archery Bow |
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ArcheryMax Handmade Mongolian Style Longbow |
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Check Price |
Top 5 Horse Shooting and Hunting Bows in 2021
The amount of brands that sell different kinds of horse bows is vast. Consequently, choosing which one will be perfect for you is not an easy task. To make this decision easier for you, we have reviewed five of the most popular horse bows below.
#1) KAINOKAI Traditional Handmade Longbow Horsebow
With their Traditional Handmade Longbow Horsebow that can withstand any weather, KAINOKAI is changing the game of archery bows. It serves as the ideal bow for any occasion or climate, especially if you live somewhere with unpredictable weather conditions.
The bow’s arm is crafted with an epoxy finish, a leather edging, and a locust wood handle to top it off. This handle is well-polished to ensure that it is long-lasting, wear-resistant, and waterproof. Since it is a traditional bow, its refined design allows it to be used by both left-handed and right-handed users, which is something that not many other products on the market do.
It’s also incredibly light, at only 25 pounds, which is ideal for keeping your form in check. It’s also a task that beginners may take on to polish their shooting form and target abilities, but there’s no guarantee they won’t have trouble at first. As a result, it is better suited to those with long arms and taller stature.
Regardless, the KAINOKAI Traditional Handmade Longbow Horsebow will not fail you if you want a longbow with a lot of force and quick shooting speed for any occasion.
#2) TOPARCHERY Traditional Recurve Bow
You’ll see us mentioning a lot of longbows as most people prefer them and they have wider use. This 53-inch bow by Top Archery is one of the finest in the markets.
Recommended for both beginners and professionals, this bow is great for when you’re both riding and still shooting. If you use your bow for hunting purposes, this one is the tool to get.
Longer bows are known to lower your precision at times, but the comfort and weightlessness of this one do not do that at all. Weighing just 30 lbs, this horse bow won’t hurt your arms.
If you’re someone who loves longbows but prefers them a bit weighty, you won’t be disappointed.
Top Archery allows you to choose the weight of your bow according to your preference. This customizable feature attracts a wider audience and is convenient for all.
With a draw length of 28 inches, you get quite a bit of room to play around without snapping the bow in two.
The sleek and slender structure of this traditional bow makes the product more desirable. Not only does it work well, but it is easy on the eyes too. This credit goes to the fiberglass material that makes the limb of the bow. While making the bow look majestic, fiberglass also helps to make the structure stronger.
#3) Longbowmaker Hungarian Style Handmade Longbow
Hungarian bows used to be used by people quite frequently in the past for hunting. Made with strong and sturdy materials such as wood, this bow would last a long time and be better for intense situations like horse riding.
So when you buy the Longbowmaker, you can expect high-quality, great performance and a long-lasting product.
Manufactured with materials such as wood, beech, cow leather, and glass steel, this is not your ordinary horse bow. This is made for rough use and will last you years before snapping. Thanks to this, you also get a greater draw length. Wood and steel glass alone make this quite a heavy bow.
But still, the brand has worked with the percentage of combinations of these materials to give you options to choose from when it comes to weight. You can choose bows that are as light as 30lbs to as heavy as 60lbs from this brand.
A lot of people who use their bow on the daily prefer lighter ones because they are better for getting a good aim and also easy to carry, but some people want the heavy, luxurious feel. So, Longbowmaker has something for everyone.
If you struggle with stringing your bow, this brand gives you a thoroughly detailed instruction manual. Stringing your horse bow has never been this easy.
#4) ArcheryMax Handmade Mongolian Style Longbow
ArcheryMax is a brand that is well known for making great products for archers. Their bows are quite popular for having great longevity and feeling luxurious. The designs that they come up with for their bows will leave you awestruck.
So, this handmade Mongolian style longbow, which is one of the most bought bows from the brand, won’t disappoint you at all.
The ability to choose horse bows of weights 20lbs to 80lbs gives this product the largest weight range on our list. The weight and length of a bow is quite a subjective matter, so the brand tries to fulfill everyone’s needs.
This is a longbow that has a length of 52 inches. A string length of 52 inches gives you a decent draw length as well. Features of this bow are suitable for both professionals and beginners.
Some might think that this product is a bit on the expensive side, but this is due to the great effort that goes into the production of the bow. Made by craftsmen who have more than 5 to 10 years of experience in the field, this bow contains materials such as cow leather, pigskin, beech, steel glass, and wood.
All this expertise goes into making a robust bow like this one.
#5) Huntingdoor Archery 55” Traditional Recurve Bow
There are many other accessories that you need with your basic bow and arrow. Gloves, storage bags, and cleaners are only a few of the things that you need. If you’re looking for a complete kit that has it all, this one will be great.
This 55-inch bow is excellent for both left and right-handed people. With the largest draw length on our list, this particular product is one of our favorites. You get exactly 33 inches of draw length, which is remarkable for a bow at this price.
These types of longbows have been used by the Chinese for years for hunting. The integrated composite center shot riser makes aiming and shooting easier and more precise.
Huntingdoor is still loyal to the way these were made years ago, and they try to make them exactly like the original ones. This makes the bow usable for wild hunting but also makes the bow quite dangerous for beginners.
For most people who are just starting, this might come off as too strong and hard to control. You can choose the weight of the bow ranging from 30lbs to 60lbs, but that still does not make the product good for starters.
Things to Consider before You Buy a Horse Bow
Which kind of horse bow you choose is totally up to you, but we would like to suggest some factors that are common to all kinds of horse bows. You should consider these things before you make your purchase so that you have no regrets after buying.
- Length of the Bow
The length of the bow you choose will greatly affect your performance. Taller people or people who have longer arms should always opt for bows of a larger length. 48 inches to 68 inches is a good range for this. If you’re someone who uses a finger draw to shoot, larger bows will be your best friend.
Although quite commonly used while mounted archery, bows of taller lengths do have some cons. They are not as precise as shorter bows and are not easier to carry on top of a horse.
However, if you are more of a thumb-draw person, shorter bows are the ones for you. With shorter bows, you have to be more careful with the angle your arrow shoots at.
- Weight of the Bow
This is something that depends on personal style and taste. Some people who don’t have precise release form find that a heavier bow could be suitable. They’ll find it easier to aim and shoot with bows of greater masses.
People who have their shots completely under control might choose lighter bows. Making shots with a good release form is easier on lighter horse bows. Both are available on the market from well-known brands. You could try them out personally to see which one suits you the best if this is your first time buying a horse bow.
Give this feature importance cause the weight of your bow determines how comfortable you are with the tool.
- Draw Length
If this is not your first time buying a horse bow, you might be familiar with what your draw length is.
The length you draw your bow needs to be compatible with the type of bow you buy. Otherwise, if you draw your arrow more than what your limit, is your horse bow could snap and break.
- Whether You’re a Left- or Right-Handed Shooter
Although there is not a great difference between the two types, you can sometimes get benefits from some brands if you are left-handed. A few brands now make left-hand-friendly bows to ensure that every customer is happy.
If this is a factor that has importance to you, you could do some research and get a hold of these special types of equipment.
- Bow Type
Depending on what your task and purpose behind the purchase of the bow are, you need to choose the type. For mounted archery, you could go for recurve bows. From this, you need to choose between static and working bows.
These bows perform best in their fields. Choosing the right kind of horse bow will only work towards your advantage.
- Comfort
Do some research on the type of grip and material the bow you want to buy has. The best bow for the horse will have stability and a great grip. This is vital as you’ll be moving most of the time in this kind of archery. We always recommend giving the bow a test shot before deciding on purchasing it.
- Price
People who are beginners will be easily satisfied with a $30 horse bow. But if you’re someone who takes archery seriously or needs it for professional use, you could go for customized options.
These will cost around $300. We know this might sound pricey, but the ability to mix and match features to make your bow will be of great use.
Horse Bow vs. Recurve – What Are the Differences?
The main feature that differentiates the types of bows is the shape. The shape of the bow will determine what the purpose of the bow will be and how it will perform.
When the bow is unstrung, a recurve bow has tips that are designed to curve away from the archer. Recurve bows are known to be more efficient and store more power. Short bows are the best when they are recurved. The shape increases utility and serves great in situations you can’t use a longbow.
Horse bows, on the other hand, have a curved shape that, throughout the length of the archer, turns outwards. They are known to resemble a ‘C’ shape. A bow that is a reflex is the best bow for horse archery.
Usually, shorter bows don’t perform well, but when a short bow is a reflex, the bow has greater efficiency. You can get better shots with the same velocity and power.
The differences in a horse bow and recurve bows are quite slim, but one or two features that are not similar can make the purpose and usage of the two quite different.
Frequently Asked Questions
We understand that buying a horse bow and making sure that the tool lasts you a long time can be a conundrum. Here are a few common questions you might have about the maintenance and performance of a horse bow that you buy.
- How is a horse bow different from a recurve bow?
The main difference lies in the shape of the horse bow. A horse bow or a reflex bow is more curved and ‘C’ shaped. A recurve bow is curved but more pushed towards the outside. Both of these are great if you prefer short bows.
- Which one is the best hunting horse bow?
A reflex or horse bow will be the best for this activity. The curved shape gives you more control and preciseness.
- How do you clean your bow?
Bows don’t get that dirty. But if you feel a bit icky and want to clean your tool, a good rub down with a clean cloth will do the trick.
- How much experience do you need in riding before using a horse bow?
You need quite a bit of experience. Riding a horse and archery are both activities that need a lot of practice and patience to learn and master. If you get on a horse without experience in riding, you’ll get into accidents.
Final Words
We’ve tried our best to give you all the information you need to buy the best horse bow. If you consider the features that you should look out for and try out the bow before you make the purchase, we’re sure there is no way you’d be disappointed. Please take a look to our reviews for our favorite high withered horse saddle pad and a really great horse fly spray if you need.
