Primarily popular in Eastern European countries, the horse bow or the reflex bow is a special recurve bow. These bows have been used for ages and are a great choice if you want a feel of the olden days.
Although the usage of horse bows is 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.
Look no further if you’re on the hunt for the best horse bow. In this article, we will give you thorough horse bow reviews. You’ll see which brands have the best bows and their specialty.
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. Traditional horse bows are popular because of how much you can customize them. Draw lengths, bow lengths, and weight can all be altered according to our liking without affecting the performance or quality of this bow.
Being one of the most affordable types among all the horse bows, this type of bow attracts many 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. 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 manufacturing methods, these are preferred by any hunter. They are mostly handcrafted and have leather covers, giving them a classy and robust look. Even if people don’t need a strong and sturdy bow like this one, they prefer to keep it in their collection.
Our Favorite Hunting Bows for Horseback in 2022
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Our Top Pick
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KAINOKAI Traditional Handmade Longbow Horsebow |
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TOP ARCHERY Traditional Recurve Bow |
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Longbowmaker Hungarian Style Handmade Longbow |
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Huntingdoor Handmade Recurve Archery Bow |
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ArcheryMax Handmade Mongolian Style Longbow |
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Top 5 Horse Shooting and Hunting Bows in 2022
The number 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. This handle is well-polished to ensure 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 market.
It is 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 as a horse riding gear 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.
This traditional bow’s sleek and slender structure 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 bow’s limb. 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.
This is not your ordinary horse bow, manufactured with wood, beech, cow leather, and glass steel. 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.
Many people who use their bow 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.
This brand gives you a detailed instruction manual if you struggle with stringing your bow. 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 they come up with for their bows will leave you amazed.
So, this handmade Mongolian style longbow, one of the most bought bows from the brand, won’t disappoint you.
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 are subjective, 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. The features of this bow are suitable for both professionals and beginners.
Some might think that this product is a bit expensive, but this is due to the great effort that goes into the bow production. 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 full bow like this one.
#5) Huntingdoor Archery 55” Traditional Recurve Bow
You need many other accessories with your basic bow and arrow. Gloves, storage bags, and cleaners are only a few of the things that you need. this one will be great if you’re looking for a complete kit with it all
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.
The Chinese have used these types of longbows for years for hunting. The integrated composite center shot riser makes aiming and shooting easier and more precise.
Huntingdon is still loyal to how 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.
This might come off as too strong and hard to control for most people just starting. You can choose the bow’s weight ranging from 30lbs to 60lbs, but that still does not make the product suitable for starters.
Things to Consider Before You Buy a Horse Bow
Whatever kind of horse bow you choose is totally up to you, but we would like to suggest some common factors for 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 commonly used while mounted Archery, bows of taller lengths 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. You must be more careful with your arrow’s angle with shorter bows.
- Weight of the Bow
This is something that depends on personal style and taste. Some people who don’t have precise release forms 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 your draw length.
The length you draw your bow needs to be compatible with the type of bow you buy. Otherwise, your horse bow could snap and break if you draw your arrow more than your limit.
- Whether You’re a Left- or Right-Handed Shooter
Although there is no great difference between the two types, you can sometimes benefit from some brands if you are left-handed. A few brands now make left-hand-friendly bows to ensure 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 your task and purpose behind the bow purchase, 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 to your advantage.
- Comfort
Research the type of grip and material the bow you want to buy has. The best bow for the horse will have stability and an excellent grip. This is vital as you’ll be moving in this kind of Archery most of the time. We always recommend giving the bow a test shot before purchasing it.
- Price
People who are beginners will be easily satisfied with a $30 horse bow. But if you take Archery seriously or need 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 the bow’s purpose and how it will perform.
When the bow is unstrung, a recurve bow has tips 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.
On the other hand, horse bows 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 the bow has greater efficiency when a short bow is a reflex. You can get better shots with the same velocity and power.
The differences between a horse bow and recurve bows are pretty 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 ensuring the tool lasts you a long time can be a problem. 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 or 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 activities that need a lot of practice and patience to learn and master. If you get on a horse without expertise 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 look at our reviews for our favorite high withered horse saddle pad and horse fly spray if you need it.
