[Artemisia] Rationale on Horse Bow Poundage

[Freydis the Good]

Ok all,

For those that have been asking, below is the back ground on Horse Back
Archery and the rationale on the poundage.  As soon as I find the post on
Cross Bows, I'll forward that too.

SMILES!!!
THL Freydis

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Donna DeBonis, DVM <drdonna at pioneernet.net>
Date: Aug 1, 2007 6:45 PM
Subject: [SCA Equestrian] Rationale was Horse Bows
To: sca-equine at midrealm.org

I wrote the original regulation and helped with modifications on it. I
already alluded to why the lesser poundage was chosen in a previous email,
but will be happy to explain the reasoning in my usual long winded and
tangential detail.  ;'>

I am writing this for the people who know what its like to do HBA on a
galloping horse. If you haven't tried it, this will not make sense.

Before I wrote the regulation, I tried it. What's more I was on a horse I
completely trusted, was at my physical peak for strength and endurance, and
had a wonderful 45# horse bow.  This is what happened: I was past the target
every time before I loosed an arrow; when I tried to shoot faster, my arrow
went where I really did not want it to go. I tried a lesser poundage--no
problem:  I had control of horse and was targeting better. I went back to
the heavier poundage--still not working. I thought about why it wasn't and
this is why.

When you draw a heavier poundage, all your energy and effort focuses on that
draw, particularly when it is at your upper limit of strength. Bottomline--
you are diverting 99% of  your attention away from staying on the horse.
What's more you are not looking at where you are going--instead, you are
staring at the target (or possibly at your hands when nocking the arrow).
You have heard about looking at where you want the horse to go ?   Keep your
head up and concentrate on the destination and your horse will go there.
That is what happens in HBA. If you don't concentrate on keeping your seat
and legs in the neutral position in HBA, your horse will go off the path and
towards the target:  By the time  the person realizes the horse is not going
straight, the person lets loose an arrow too quickly in order to grab the
reins and to go  straight again (and what's more, I've seen the arrow go in
bad places). Or the person just starts to tilt towards the target and falls
off (seen it twice).

When you pull a heavier poundage, your whole body tightens and you
concentrate too much on drawing the bow. Little time is left for targeting.
I am not saying its impossible to shoot well and remain seated with a
poundage over 35; I will bet anything Kassai Lajos can do it in a heartbeat.
Of course he is a master and practices everyday .  Unfortunately since very
few of us make our living at HBA like he does, we don't get to practice HBA
for hours every day.


When we started HBA in SCA, we had to take into consideration all these
factors and chose not to push it.  Sure it is possible, but our choices were
to take a lesser poundage or to remain with blunts and golf tubes ONLY--no
target points. We  had to prove to the BoD that we could do this safely. We
needed a Precedent.   We had all the evidence that Kassai Lajos had been
using lower poundage for many years and did not have any accidents for the
above reasons. What's more the goal is that we are going to someday be able
to gallop and shoot at multiple targets. In reality the lungeline idea was
also a concession and done with the hopes of allowing us to safely introduce
this sport to SCA.

thanks for asking,
Donwenna





----- Original Message -----
From: "Freydis the Good" <freydisthegood at gmail.com>
To: <sca-equine at midrealm.org>
Sent: Wednesday, August 01, 2007 1:37 PM
Subject: Re: [SCA Equestrian] Horse Bows


> Poundage is going to be 35lbs or less, I'm cool with that, but I'd
> love to know the back ground.  So the next question I have is, is what
> are the reasons behind that weight as well as not allowing crossbows?
> I've missed a LOT of emails/posts.
>
> Not bucking rules, just PURELY curious AND so I can explain when asked.
> Freydis