Bay Area Horse Archers - Gilroy, California

Luis E. A. S.

Después de tanto trabajo y esfuerzo y seguir confiando en las personas. Que. Cuando te necesitan te sonríen con una sonrisa hipócrita y terminan robando lo que te ganaste honradamente.

Evelyn B.

Adam and Ariel are great instructors! I have learned so much from them and I’ve gotten the chance to enjoy some amazing experiences with my horse because of them. I highly recommend them as instructors. The group that has been formed at BAHA’s home track is amazing to be a part of and everyone puts their horses first which is great to see. You learn a lot while having fun just the same!

Chris H.

Adam and Ariel are an amazing team who provide an excellent educational experience. They focus on foundations. They emphasize the training and physical training of the horse, all the way down to proper saddle fitting. They spend time on groundwork as well as horsemanship. They provide extensive supporting material online so students can continue to study between clinics. They are a pleasure to be around but also demanding of focus and proper form from their students. I highly recommend Bay Area Horse Archers to anyone who wants to explore mounted archery, from beginners to competitive archers, everyone can benefit from their training.

Thomas H.

I have been training with Adam and Ariel for 6 months now in Archery, horse archery, and horsemanship. They are both great teachers with a depth of knowledge. Adam's training in martial arts and yoga informs his teaching and provides a methodical, detailed, and mindful approach. The horsemanship training is equally great. Both of them are highly knowledgeable of the psychology, physiology, and nature of horses. They respect the animals deeply and approach them in a holistic way. They provide everything one needs to know to get going into these crafts, and there is a depth of knowledge to benefit any long time or serious student as well.

Cecilia S.

Adam and Ariel are great coaches, with extensive knowledge of both archery and horsemanship. While always keeping the horses’ wellbeing at the forefront, they show compassion and caring for their human students, too. They constantly encourage students to grow and to continue to learn about both archery and their equine partners. I highly recommend Bay Area Horse Archers for those interested in this wonderful sport.

Catherine P.

I have participated in 3 of Adam and Ariel's clinics. They do a fabulous job explaining and demonstrating mounted archery. My horse is on the anxious side when we start shooting arrows and both Ariel and Adam are in tune to help him get used to the idea. I have learned a tremendous amount from them. You definitely need your own bow and arrows to practice nocking (putting the arrow on the string to be ready to shoot at the target) without looking as you must keep your eye on the target and your horse!!!

Heidi H.

Adam and Ariel always put horses’ wellbeing first - care of, respect for, and knowledge about horses are core values that come through in all they do. As coaches they excel at understanding the horse and rider they’re working with and determining what challenges to present to get students to gain new skills at every lesson. BAHA is a great group of people, and the sport of horseback archery is addictively fun, exhilarating, and at the same time zenlike because it requires 100% presence. To anyone who loves riding - I highly recommend you try horseback archery with BAHA! 🐎🏹

Janet T.

If you want to build real connection with your horse, and find a fun sport that supports the health of horses, come to Bay Area Horse Archers!

Adam and Ariel are patient with consistent expectations. They are fun to be around. They have a lot of experience and generously share it. I come away with great teaching metaphors, and increasing determination to persist and improve. And, we have some laughs as well.

There are a lot of instructors satisfied to make you technically a good rider. But Adam and Ariel want you to also experience the joy of real connection and partnership with whatever horse you are riding or working with.

There are a lot of horse sports, but many of them eventually break down the horse. Horse archery is horse friendly.

Archery on horseback is sooooo much fun! Truly, the horses seem to enjoy it as well. And bonus, the track and ranch are beautiful and peaceful.

Everyone in the club is friendly and committed not only to the sport but to the health and wellbeing of their horses.

It was the horsemanship aspect, that brought me to Adam and Ariel. As a young person, taking riding lessons, I always longed for that special relationship with a horse. Building connection with horses, and also doing ground work does not seem to be part of anyone's program.

Adam and Ariel incorporate horsemanship into every interaction with horses. Not only is this more pleasurable riding, it makes riding so much safer.

It was surprising how small and simple acts can build a magical bond with a horse. I now feel more connected, even when riding an unfamiliar horse.

Here are some horsemanship teachings I have learned (SO FAR) from both Adam and Ariel:

*The HORSE comes first*

Horsemanship --Emotional--How to:
Understand what a horse is saying
Know if a horse is enjoying their work
Tune into my horse
Gently tune my horse into me
Sooth a horse
Spot body language indicative of emotional stress
Read the horse you have today
Avoid those things which cause a horse to disengage emotionally
Tell whether a horse is not in mental condition to ride
Get a horse "back into its head"
Engage a horse to more fully partner

Horsemanship - Physical--How To:
Groom/Tack Up
Fit a Saddle or tell if it is causing pain
Stretches
Relaxation touch points
Move around a horse safely in various situations
Spot if a horse is dehydrated
Spot if a horse may have an ulcer
Know when a horse needs bodywork
Prevent colic and the various kinds and treatments
Discern a good farrier

Horsemanship Training & Safety--How To:
Discern Good Horse Content from Harmful
Build a relationship so the horse wants to work with you
Get a horse comfortable with mounted archery
Lead a horse with energy and connection
Lead a horse through a gate
Teach a horse to calmly trailer
Walk around in a herd of horses
How to use tools like flags or leads in ways to teach and not alarm
Exercises that help build horse balance and proper movement
Using ground work to improve safety in the saddle

Because I was technically beginner/intermediate, they connected me to a couple of excellent riding instructors. However, they also provide tips when needed on the track or elsewhere.

Overall, I give Bay Area Horse Archers 5 Stars, but I would give them 105 Stars if yelp reviews had that many!