The Biggest Mistakes First-Time Horse Bow Buyers Make (And How to Avoid Them)

Alan Odinson

The Biggest Mistakes First-Time Horse Bow Buyers Make (And How to Avoid Them)

If you’re thinking about buying your first horse bow, congratulations—you’ve chosen one of the most rewarding forms of archery you’ll ever experience.

Unfortunately, many new archers make the same mistakes before they ever loose their first arrow. The good news? Every one of these mistakes is easy to avoid with a little guidance.

At Odinson Archery, we’ve helped thousands of shooters begin their thumb draw journey.

Here are the biggest mistakes we see first-time horse bow buyers make—and what you should do instead.

Mistake #1: Buying a Bow That’s Too Heavy

One of the most common misconceptions is that heavier bows are “better.”

They’re not.

A bow that’s too heavy causes poor shooting form, inconsistent releases, shoulder fatigue, and frustration. Rather than developing proper technique, many beginners end up fighting the bow.

Your first bow should allow you to focus on learning thumb draw mechanics—not simply trying to pull the string back.

Our recommendation: Most adults, that are new to archery, should begin with a draw weight between 25–35 pounds, depending on their physical strength and experience. As your technique improves, increasing draw weight becomes much easier. Many times we recommend having a heavier bow along with a lighter training bow of the same kind

Remember, good form beats raw strength every time.

Mistake #2: Choosing the Wrong Arrows

Even the best bow will perform poorly if it’s paired with incorrect arrows.

Many first-time buyers assume that any arrow will work. In reality, arrow spine plays a major role in how an Asiatic bow shoots.

Different bow designs require different arrow stiffness.

For example:

  • Wider arrow pass bows, such as our Assassin Bow or Plains Native, generally perform best with 500 spine arrows and at least a 100-grain point.
  • Narrower arrow pass bows like the Alp Turkish or Raider typically perform better with 400 spine arrows, sometimes with slightly heavier points depending on your shooting style.

Using properly matched arrows results in cleaner arrow flight, greater consistency, and a much more enjoyable shooting experience. A properly spined arrow that has feather fletching is your best chance of success.

Mistake #3: Trying to Learn Everything From Random YouTube Videos

The internet is an incredible resource…

It’s also full of conflicting advice.

One instructor tells you to rotate your wrist one way. Another says the opposite. One says use khatra immediately. Another says never use it.

Before long, many new archers are confused and constantly changing their technique.

Progress comes from following one structured system until you’ve developed solid fundamentals.

Learning thumb draw is much easier when every lesson builds upon the last.

That’s exactly why we created the Thumb Draw Codex—to provide a clear, organized progression instead of scattered information.

Mistake #4: Forgetting About Thumb Protection

Many beginners are excited to start shooting and don’t think about thumb protection until after they’ve developed a sore thumb.

Don’t make that mistake.

A quality thumb guard or thumb ring protects your release hand while allowing you to focus on technique instead of discomfort.

Even lighter bows can create unnecessary strain if shot repeatedly without proper protection.

Comfort leads to longer practice sessions—and longer practice sessions lead to faster improvement. Later on, you can step into conditioning your thumb to not need the thumb guard but there’s no reason to start there a limit your drawing capabilities.

Mistake #5: Expecting Instant Perfection

Traditional horse bows are different from modern Olympic recurves or compound bows.

The draw feels different.

The release feels different.

The aiming process feels different.

That’s exactly what makes them so rewarding.

Many beginners become discouraged after one afternoon because they aren’t stacking arrows at twenty yards.

Don’t judge your progress by perfection.

Judge it by consistency.

Every practice session builds another layer of skill.

Stay patient.

The confidence comes surprisingly quickly when you trust the process.

Mistake #6: Practicing Without a Plan

The “Torba” Drill

Simply shooting arrows isn’t the same as training.

If every session consists of “just shooting,” improvement tends to happen very slowly.

Instead, give each practice session a purpose.

Maybe today’s goal is improving your release.

Tomorrow might focus on posture.

The next session could be entirely dedicated to draw consistency.

Keeping a training journal is one of the easiest ways to accelerate improvement because it helps identify patterns, measure progress, and eliminate recurring mistakes.Small improvements made consistently create remarkable results over time.

The Best First Horse Bow Is the One You’ll Actually Shoot

Many people spend weeks trying to find the “perfect” bow.

The truth is, your first bow isn’t meant to be your last.

Its job is to introduce you to an entirely new style of archery and build a solid foundation.

Whether you’re interested in historical archery, instinctive shooting, mounted archery, hunting, or simply enjoying something different from modern equipment, the important thing is getting started.

The sooner you begin practicing good fundamentals, the sooner you’ll experience the speed, fluidity, and satisfaction that has made horse bows popular for centuries.

Start Your Journey the Right Way

At Odinson Archery, our goal isn’t simply to sell equipment.

Our mission is to help build confident, capable traditional archers.

If you’re just getting started, we recommend beginning with:

Traditional archery isn’t about shortcuts.

It’s about developing skill through consistency, discipline, and practice.

Avoid these common mistakes, trust the process, and you’ll be amazed how quickly your confidence—and your shooting—begins to grow.

We’ll see you on the range.