Welcome to
Ana-Hata Horseback Archery Academy
Our centre gets its name from the Sanskrit word anahata*, which means "unhurt”, “unstruck”, and “unbeaten". It is also the name of the “heart chakra” in Hindu Yogic and Buddhist Tantric traditions. It is associated with balance and serenity, which is what our archery practice endorses.
At Ana-Hata academy we follow ancient styles of archery, specifically from cultures that perfected the art of horseback archery. We try to preserve archery in its raw form. That is, without technological gadgets and aids. Just you and the bow, plus a horse if so you wish.
Well, at least at the beginning, for later all these are blended into one. The bow and the horse become an extension of yourself: The horse becomes your legs, the arrow your wings. And with practice, through instinct, motion and coordination, your aim will be as true as your intention—admittedly, we are better archers and riders than we are poets, but you get the point.
*Ana-Hata. Pronounced uh-NAH-ha-tah, or according to the International Phonetic Alphabet: /əˈnɑːhət̪(a)/)
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Archery has been practised by humans since very early times, everywhere around the world. Traditional archery (as opposed to its modern Olympic style) is more than “shooting arrows” or "hitting a target"; it’s about finding a rhythm and reconnect with history and craftmanship.
If you’ve ever felt the need to unplug from the digital world and find a hobby that balances physical skill with mental clarity, here is why you should pick up a traditional bow—to mention a few:
1. It’s "Active Meditation"
In a world of notifications and noise, traditional archery demands total presence. When you pull back a string, your mind goes quiet. There are no sights, no stabilizers, and no pulleys—just you, the bow, and your intuition. It is one of the few sports where the goal is to reach a state of "flow" every single time you stand at the line.
2. Connect with History
When you hold a traditional bow, you are holding a tool that has remained virtually unchanged for thousands of years. There is a primal satisfaction in launching an arrow using the same physics that our ancestors used. It feels less like a sport and more like a craft.
3. You Don’t Need to be an Athlete
Traditional archery is accessible. It doesn't require extreme speed or massive strength to start. It’s about consistency and grace. It improves your posture, builds functional core and back strength, and teaches you how to breathe under pressure. You don't need to be Robin Hood on day one; you just need to be willing to feel the tension of the string and let go.
4. The "Zen" of the Flight
There is a specific, addictive magic in the path of the arrow. Unlike modern compound bows where the arrow is very slim to be seen, traditional archery allows you to watch the graceful arc of the wood and feather as it cuts through the air. The "thwack" of an arrow hitting a straw target is one of the most satisfying sounds in the world.
5. It is fun
Unlike Olympic style archery where people just stand and shoot at static targets, traditional archery is about intuition and movement. It lends itself to play around and try different things (like shooting at moving objects, shooting backwards or from a horse!). In traditional archery, you aren't competing against the target; you are competing against the version of yourself that wants to rush the shot.
Offered Activities
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Structured introduction to horsemanship, safety, and the physical mechanics of riding (in the outdoors arena).
Groundwork and Preparation: Before you even mount the horse, you will spend time on the ground learning how to interact with these large animals safely.
Mounting and Position: The balanced seat, heels down.
Basic Controls: starting, stopping, steering.
Movement and Rhythms: Walking patterns, two-point position, cool down.
Duration: ~50 min
Age: 6+
Skill level required: None
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Enjoy the landscape the way it was meant to be seen. Our Open-Country Trail Ride invites you to step out of the arena and into the wild. You’ll traverse diverse terrain, navigate winding field paths, and enjoy the rhythmic pace of your horse beneath the wide-open Italian sky. It’s more than a ride—it’s an authentic equestrian experience guided by local experts who know the land by heart.
Duration: ~60 min
Age: 13+
Skill required: None
Pace: Walking (with opportunities to trot based on skill)
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Tailored to the person’s level of experience, our archery sessions include instructions on proper use of the archery equipement, postural demonstration and correction, and tips on how to achieve better performance.
Usually, this would be an unmounted practice session, in preparation for horse-mounted archery.Duration: ~50 min
Age: 6+ (should the chid’s arm strength allow it)
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This session will cover the safety essentials, familiarity with equipement, instructional guidance. Depending on the person’s level of experience (both in horse riding and doing archery), the time spent practising un-mounted archery before getting on the horse may vary. But, as the name implies, the idea is that people get to experience what is like shooting arrows from a moving horse.
Duration: ~60 min
Age: 5+
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These include (but are not limited to): happy birthday celebrations, work-place team binding activities, workshops (e.g., arrow making). Feel free to drop us a line to enquire about these, and even propose a particular event you might have in mind. When feasible, we’ll accomodate requests and suggestions.
To keep in mind…
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Leggings, tracksuit or thin/stretch jeans without zips or studs.
Trainers or Chelsea boots (or similar) without zips or studs.
Not allowed for safety reasons:
Shorts, Bermuda shorts, sandals, or other clothing deemed dangerous for equestrian activities.
Scarves or foulards: these may be replaced with a tight-fitting tube neck wrap.
Glasses without safety nose pads.
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Helmet.
On-loan equipment for horse archery (i.e., bow, arrows).
Injury insurance (however unlikely).
As we practice horseback archery, the type of bows that we use are those that are suitable to use while on a horse; that is, short relative to other traditional ones such as “English long bows”. Such as those characteristic of the Ottoman empire, including the type used by the Mongols, Turks, Persians & Arabs. Accordingly, we prefer traditional wooden arrows, and we teach both the Slavic release—preferred among beginners—and the thumb release (unlike the “three-finger” pull, commonly known in the West).
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No. We start with small steps such as getting the basics right (e.g., posture, breathing, “non-aiming”, hand techniques such as the Slavic and the thumb release). Then progressively we add movement, and the horse. Of course, the pace and time required for each of these will be adjusted to each person’s learning rhythm and experience.
If you want a taster of what it feels like, say, if you’re on a short visit, we’ll do our best to responsibly accommodate your wishes depending on the circumstances.
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No problem. We speak English. In addition, some of us can communicate in Spanish and French.
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Be a good student/participant!
Follow and listen to the instructors; if in doubt, always ask before acting.
By their very nature, equestrian activities involve animals that need to be treated with respect and care. Equally, archery can be potentially harmful—bows are fun but they’re not to be handled like children toys.
Clients are required to take the utmost care of their equipment, with particular attention to archery equipment (arrows). In the event of damage or loss, the student will be responsible for purchasing or refunding the equipment.
Cost of missing arrow: €6 (unit)
We strongly recommend those interested in pursuing archery as a regular practice to acquire their own bow and arrows. This will provide consistency, as well as additional advantages in terms of performance compared to the generic bows for beginners that we have available. We are more than happy to advise you on options suitable for you based on your preferences and interests.
Pricing
Horse riding €25
Trail Ride €25
Archery €25
Mounted Archery €25
The rates above are per session. Please enquire about multi-session/person packages.
Archer’s calendar
How to book?
For most activities
Please reach us out via phone call or texting:
altereques@gmail.com
+39 388 627 0736
Advanced archery activities
If you’re a beginner or want a specialized instruction on traditional archery please check the “Archer’s Calendar” for the instructor’s availability calendar.
Where are we?
Asd Alter Eques - Centro Equestre
Vocabolo Lucignano,
Orte, 01028 (VT), 42.482795, 12.323370
Approximately 5 min by car from the city of Orte (or Orte Scalo train station).
About the instructors
As the grandson of a seasonal shepherd from the Central Apennines, Paolo has demonstrated an irrepressible passion for horses since he was very young. He began his equestrian training at around age 11. In 2005, he entered the equestrian industry professionally, earning titles as an Equestrian Tourism Guide and Level 1 Cross-Country Technician from the FISE (Italian Federation of Equestrian Sports).
Since 2020, Paolo has served as a Level 1 Instructor for the Fitetrec-Ante Federation. He currently manages his own equestrian center, where he promotes a classical, ethical approach to riding inspired by the principles of the "School of Lightness" (École de Légèreté):
Considering psychophysical well-being of the horse.
Developing deep equestrian awareness within the rider.
Rejectiing coercive or aggressive training techniques in favor of harmony.
Follow our journey on Instagram: @altereques
Santi has been practicing and crafting his own arrows (and other archery accessories) for more than 10 years. As a passionate archer and DIY enthusiast, he believes in the close connection between traditional archery and artisanal craftsmanship. Both the bow and the arrow not only become extensions of an archer's body, but also of the present mind.
In recent years—driven by his belief that traditional knowledge does not belong to individuals and must be shared to survive—Santi has freely shared his methods on his YouTube channel, "arrow-craft archery".
And so it was that, combining the equestrian expertise of Paolo and the passion of Santi, Ana-Hata academy was born in 2025.
What people say…
